Wales coach removed one week before Six Nations kicks off
01/25/2025 03:57 AM
Warren Gatland has made a major change to his backroom staff ahead of the 2025 Six Nations, with Rob Howley taking over as Wales’ attack coach.
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
Howley, a familiar face from Gatland's first golden era, replaces Alex King in the role.
Alex King: A brief tenure ends abruptly
King, 50, was appointed as Wales’ attack coach in December 2022 after Stephen Jones’ departure. Over two Six Nations campaigns and the 2023 Rugby World Cup—where Wales reached the quarter-finals—King held the reins of the Welsh attack.
However, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has not provided an official explanation for his absence in the upcoming tournament, leaving speculation around the sudden reshuffle.
Rob Howley: The return of a Gatland-era cornerstone
Howley, 54, returned to the Wales setup in December 2023 as a technical coach, following a ban for betting breaches. Now back in a prominent role, he brings a wealth of experience, having been part of three Grand Slam-winning campaigns and a fourth Six Nations title during Gatland’s first stint. He also toured with the British and Irish Lions as attack coach on three occasions.
A revamped backroom staff
Gatland has shaken things up further, bringing in scrum guru Adam Jones on secondment from Harlequins. Meanwhile, psychology and performance expert Andy McCann has joined the setup, alongside existing staff Mike Forshaw (defence coach) and Neil Jenkins (skills coach).
A team in crisis?
Wales head into the 2025 Six Nations on the back of a record-breaking 12-game losing streak since their 2023 World Cup exit. The pressure is mounting on Gatland as his side face a daunting opener against France in Paris on Friday, 31 January (20:15 GMT).
Can Howley's return spark a turnaround for Wales? Or will Gatland’s revamped coaching team struggle to find a winning formula? Only time will tell.
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"Glaring mistakes" – Four England Players Seriously Out of Form
Here's a look at four players The Telegraph has called out, and what RUCK.co.uk makes of it.
Ben Earl (Saracens)
Telegraph Rating: 6/10
They wrote: “Saracens' curious loss to Castres, continuing a year of inconsistency, was pockmarked by a couple of glaring mistakes from Earl. He was lively at Thomond Park, stepping through bodies to eke out momentum in midfield, and works unrelentingly. However, he heads into England camp amid a tricky patch.”
RUCK view: Earl was one of England's standout players over the past year, but his recent dip in form could cost him. Once untouchable in Borthwick's plans, he now looks dangerously close to losing his starting spot. He'll need a big showing in the lead-up to the tournament to stave off competition.
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