Wales gamble on return of Gatland to revive Rugby World Cup hopes
Warren Gatland was selected in dramatic fashion for a second term as Wales manager on Monday when he replaced the sacked Wayne Pivak less than a year after the end of the Rugby World Cup. The Welsh Rugby Union stated that Gatland would take charge of Wales at the 2023 Six Nations tournament and the France Rugby World Cup 2023, with the option of going through the next World Cup cycle up to and including Australia 2027.
RWC fans from all over the world are called to book Rugby World Cup tickets from our online platform WorldWideTicketsandHospitality.com Rugby fans can book Wales Rugby World Cup Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
Pivac’s departure was confirmed following a WRU review of the Wales Autumn Nations Series campaign, which included a shock loss at home to Georgia. Wales have only won 13 of 34 Tests under the 60-year-old Pivak, though he led them to the 2021 Six Nations title after taking over from fellow New Zealander Gatland after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
In Gatland’s first term, from 2008 to 2019, he presided over one of Wales’ most successful eras, with the team winning four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams, and reaching the Rugby World Cup semi-finals twice. He retired after leading Wales to the bottom four at the 2019 Japanese Championships, with Gatland saying at the time, It would break my heart if Wales went back into depression.
The 59-year-old, also a former three-time head coach of the British and Irish Lions, will return to Wales before Christmas from New Zealand, where he was director of Super Rugby for the Chiefs. Gatland said of his return to Wales in a WRU statement: This is an opportunity to do something with a talented group of players in a country that is so passionate about rugby.
“Our immediate priority is definitely to be in the Guinness World Records 2023 and the Rugby World Cup next year. He added: We will appreciate and respect each other, we will work hard, and if we do it right, performances and results will follow.”
While Wales beat the Springboks for the first time in South Africa in July, 2022 has been a terrible year overall with just three wins in 12 Tests. The loss to Georgia was followed by a spectacular crash in Cardiff against Australia, with Wales losing 39–34 after taking a 21-point lead in the last game of the autumn.
Gatland returned just nine months before the start of Wales rugby World Cup against Fiji in Bordeaux. He has been linked with the England manager job amid speculation about the future of Eddie Jones, whose position is being considered by the Rugby Football Union.
A decision on whether Jones will stay or leave will be announced within the next 48 hours. WRU chief executive Steve Phillips, explaining why Pivac had to leave, said: Ultimately we are in the business of results and we agreed with Wayne that the current trajectory for Wales is not what we want it to be.
Phillips, who thanked Pivak for his efforts, added: In Warren, we have hired one of the best coaches in the international game. We know him well, and most importantly, he knows us well too. We are very happy about this. final chapter for Wales and Warren Gatland and I know the feeling is mutual.
He will certainly be able to make an immediate impact, as he did when he first joined us in 2008 (when Wales won the Six Nations with a Grand Slam). But as the Welsh regions, as well as the national side, struggle, Phillips warned that the appointment is not a quick fix or a sticky patch. This is part of our long term planning for the game in Wales. Pivak, meanwhile, said: It is obviously very sad for me to turn down this role.
And, insisting that he helped lay a solid foundation for future success, Pivak added: Unfortunately, the results or performances this year were not what we had hoped. As a group, we all take responsibility for this, but especially me as the head coach.
Wales Rugby World Cup Fixtures: Warm-Up Games Opponents & Hospitality
Wales will try to prepare for the big competition by playing three warm-ups. Find out who they’ll be playing with and how you can be at the games with a premium hospitality package. 2023 will be an important year for some teams in the rugby world and Wales is in many ways one of those teams.
The Rugby World Cup will be a major event next year as the tournament takes place in France towards the end of the year. Prior to that, there will be an annual Six Nations Tournament at the start of the year where Wales will look to improve on their 2022 record.
However, there is a fairly large gap between these competitions, in which the national team will aim to prepare for the world stage by playing three World Cup warm-up matches. With that said, here we bring you information about the games that will be played, as well as how you can get top-notch hospitality from them to experience the action in the best possible way.
When, where and what will be Wales’ Rugby World Cup matches?
Wales will play three warm-up matches, two of which will take place at their home ground, the Principality Stadium. Games:
- Saturday 5th August – Wales vs England at Principality Stadium
- Saturday 12th August – England vs Wales at Twickenham Stadium
- Saturday 19th Wales – Wales vs South Africa at Principality Stadium
These games promise to be exciting and fierce. The matchup against South Africa will be their first game against the Springboks since Wales’ 2022 tour of South Africa last summer, where they lost two games to one.
As for their games for England, it will be another blow to their neighbors as they already played them earlier this year in the Six Nations. This Six Nations game will fuel those matches, depending on who emerges victorious. By the beginning of these games, preparations for the Rugby World Cup will already be in full swing: in June and July, the team went through hard, intensive training camps.
It will also be the last opportunity for all participating players to make a name for themselves and compete for a seat on the plane to France to be part of head coach Wayne Pivak’s World Cup team. The Principality has seen some spectacular performances over the years.
How can I get premium hospitality for the Wales Rugby World Cup warm-up matches?
Seat Unique is proud to partner with WRU to exclusively support online hotel sales. We’re thrilled to be able to open up these premium packages to fans to provide an unforgettable VIP experience. Two hospitality packages are available that provide the very best in hospitality while offering something unique to everyone.
Players Lounge
The Players Lounge is for true rugby fans. You will receive early VIP entry to the stadium and access to a luxurious lounge. The lounge awaits you with a Grande Marques champagne reception, a formal three-course dinner with the finest Welsh produce, a bar offering complimentary beer, wines, house spirits and soft drinks, and a post-match cheese board.
Rugby legends will also be present to speak before and after the game, answer your questions and provide post-game analysis. As for your seat, you will watch the game from some of the best seats in the hall, with cushioned mid-tier seats placed in the center line for panoramic views of the stadium.
Boot Room
Boot Room gives you access to the stadium the day before the match, allowing you to experience the stadium and its atmosphere the day before the event. You will be able to look behind the scenes of the stadium through the players’ entrance. Once inside, the rugby legend will guide you through the stadium and down the players’ tunnel.
A glass of champagne is waiting for you by the pitch, giving you the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of the impressive stadium with some champagne! There will also be informal dining and access to a bar serving beer, house wines, soft drinks, tea and coffee.
We are offering Rugby World Cup Tickets Rugby admirers can get RWC World Cup Tickets through our trusted online ticketing marketplace. Worldwide tickets and hospitality is the most reliable source to book France Rugby World Cup tickets. Sign up for the latest Ticket alert.
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