Warren Gatland is set to depart as head coach after losing to Italy at the weekend.

Defeat in Rome was the 14th consecutive international reverse for the Welsh with an official word likely to come from the Welsh Rugby Union later on Tuesday afternoon. Gatland returned for second stint in 2022 having previously coached Wales during their most successful period that spanned more than a decade.

However his second tenure in charge has been poor and he's presided over the worst run of results in Welsh history. They failed to win a single game in 2024 as they picked up the wooden spoon in the Six Nations.

Wales' last win came in the pool stages of the Rugby World Cup in 2023 against Georgia with Gatland unable to revive the nation's fortunes as a number of their legendary figures call time on their careers.

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The Welsh were hammered on the opening night of the Six Nations, losing 43-0 in France before they were well beaten in a rain-soaked contest against Italy at the weekend.

The Six Nations will pause for a weekend before Wales face Ireland on February 22 in Cardiff. After that they will travel to on 8 March before finishing the tournament at home against England a week later.

Gatland had continued to be defiant and was determined to turn around the team's fortunes, but will no longer get a chance.

After Saturday's loss he said: "I can understand people's frustration and we are frustrated and disappointed as well because we created opportunities but we have made mistakes and the penalty count was disappointing. As a coaching team and players they are not hard fixes but we need to make sure we focus in those key moments."

Ex-fly-half Dan Biggar admitted that Gatland's dismissal was a possibility after their loss in Italy: "I don't think anything is off the table at the moment, it can't be. It can't carry on. It is such a shame because there are so many good people there who have had success previously but clearly what is happening in the week is not working on the pitch."

Former coach Michael Cheika, Glasgow coach Franco Smith and Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby are seen as potential replacements, but it will be tough for the WRU to strike any agreement midway through the Championship.

With the British and Irish Lions Tour to come this summer against Australia there is already talk of a record low amount of players being picked from Wales such are their struggles.

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