Tierney presented findings of a meticulous and far-reaching review into the high-performance element of the senior men’s game in Wales to the WRU Board on Tuesday 17th December.
Welsh rugby’s CEO, who completes her first year in charge in January, says a further assessment of performances will follow the 2025 championship with the same forensic scrutiny applied.
Key recommendations from the report will now be implemented, designed to give the Wales national squad the best opportunity to improve future performances and, most significantly, results in the flagship tournament in the New Year:
- Firstly, empowered by the WRU Board, the CEO will review the high-performance structure at the WRU and make necessary changes (Executive Director of Rugby Nigel Walker has announced his decision to stand down today – SEE STORY HERE)
- A new high-performance advisory panel is being appointed and will be up and running in the New Year including former senior players
- Adaptations to the current set-up assisting Gatland will also be considered immediately with the ambition of improving mindset, mentality and culture within the squad by introducing additional personnel
Changes are planned before the 2025 tournament and will include improving the mentoring support for players with new mental skills resources being employed.
The terms of reference and make-up of the new high-performance panel, which will influence positive change, will evolve over time, with senior former coaches and/or individuals from other high-performance sports to potentially be recruited.
The panel will also be an integral part of long term changes to the high-performance structure at the WRU, changes which will also be designed to directly benefit the Women’s high-performance game.
Huw Bevan, who is currently interim head of performance, and community director, Geraint John, will assume Walker’s executive duties in the short term with a new Director of Professional Rugby to be recruited in the New Year.
Tierney admits elements of the review make difficult reading for incumbents and the WRU Board seriously considered more wholesale immediate change, but instead concluded that challenging their current highly experienced and decorated head coach to change Wales fortunes on the pitch was the best approach at this time.
“We have assessed in detail the planning and preparation, the enabling and controllable factors which are the responsibility of the coaches as well as the culture in camp, the mental fortitude of players, their experiences to date and their own heartfelt thoughts on the current direction of travel for the squad,” said Tierney.
“We have included expertise and opinion from a wide range of reputable and knowledgeable sources and we have seen what of course many pundits and fans have expressed, that we are not performing to our potential at the moment.
“I have had a number of very honest conversations with Warren and I will make no secret of the fact that his position was on the line as we undertook our review.
“Further than that, like any head coach in any sport, he knows the security of his position is directly related to the performances of the team and that this is a situation that will continue to intensify.
“There is a tough challenge ahead but Warren is more than up for that challenge. We also believe he is equal to it.
“In addition, we are also taking immediate steps to build and evolve the team behind the team in a way that makes a significant and positive impact ahead of the 2025 Championship.”
Gatland added: “I’ve been pretty honest in terms of welcoming scrutiny and challenge, as well as that I understand the pressures of international rugby with performances and results.
“I am pleased to have the support of Abi and the Board to take the squad into the Six Nations. This group of players has a huge amount of potential and we will be working incredibly hard together to turnaround our fortunes on the pitch. We know, more than ever, we will be judged on competitiveness, on success and on winning during the 2025 campaign.
“During the review I had the opportunity to explain my thinking, but I also appreciate the feedback and constructive challenge that has been put to me. I’d like to thank the players in particular for their involvement and their honesty. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
