Where do we go from here?

[normanski]

Questions, questions and more questions. Where do we go from here with the Wales team?

In a shite tour (too far) there was some early promise but our second string could barely play rugby and the first team could hardly compete at the end.

We have good players but they looked knackered after a very long international season; fitness and skill levels seem to have dropped alarmingly and worst of all defence which has been a source of strength for years seems to be totally shambolic at times.

England have been galvanised by Eddie Jones (just like Wales initially under Gatland) and look set to dominate the six nations right up to the next RWC. The contrast between their players and ours on the antipodean tours beggars belief and we have to ask the question why. Even if the tours had been swapped I don't think the result would have been any different for us.

The best thing possible for our players will be to take a complete break for six weeks to try to recover their mojo. The coaching team need to do deep analysis of what's going wrong over the past international season starting withe RWC. The three point defeat of England in the Cup only served to cover the malaise which is setting in.

It needs some bold decision-making even if heads have to roll together us back on track.

[Sandydragon]

Coaching team needs a shake up. At the moment there just doesn't seem to be the belief in the new approach, or the skills to implement it.

Im not sure the long season is to blame. The English players have had a longer one in many ways yet looked full of energy.

[Sandydragon]

I think we are screwed until post the next RWC. Im struggling to find many positives and with the football team doing well, the number of youngsters who will want to play the sport isn't going to be boosted.

Resigning the entire coaching team was plain daft. At best we might get a consultant in, but unless there is a major disaster, such as a wooden spoon, then Gatland et al will be in post until 2019. Given the state of some of the teams in the 6N and the efficiency of our game plan in winning games against NH opposition, it would be surprising for us to fall that far, although if the dressing room have had enough then anything is possible.

[UKHamlet]

I think the WRU needs to bite the bullet and have a clearout. I'm not completely anti-Gatland, but he's done as much as he can and we are still a way off beating the SH teams on a regular basis. There comes a time in every coaching team's life when they are in their comfort zone and doing the same stuff over and over. They don't have anything new to offer. I think we reached that point a while ago. We need a new perspective.

[kk67]

Patchell at 12/13. Make him the ginger Nonu.