The Welsh Rugby Union has said it has not received an approach from Twickenham to speak to its head coach, Warren Gatland, about taking over from Stuart Lancaster and would not welcome one.
Gatland, who has been in charge of Wales for eight years, is under contract until the end of the 2019 World Cup after last year signing an extension that boosted his salary to around £450,000 a year. It would cost the Rugby Football Union some £1.5m to buy him out but it has said money is no object in its quest to find a head coach with a track record of success.
“We have not had an approach from the RFU to speak to Warren,” said the WRU chairman, Gareth Davies. “As he is under contract to us for the next four years, anyone wishing to speak to him would be obliged to seek permission from us first. That has not happened, we want to keep him and as far as I am concerned he is staying with us until 2019. England may have ambitions of winning the World Cup in four years but so do we.”
The biggest coaching names in world rugby have been linked with the England position since Lancaster announced his departure from the RFU earlier this week. Many have ruled themselves out but the RFU’s insistence money was no object and it would only settle for the best makes Gatland a prime candidate. He led Wales to three Six Nations titles and a World Cup semi-final despite operating with a smaller playing base than their rivals and having to contend with a professional game in the country that has been in turmoil for much of his time there.
Wales believe the issue for Gatland would not be money. He was given a sabbatical in the 2012-13 season to allow him to prepare for the Lions tour to Australia, something Wales would be open to again if he were named as the head coach for the 2017 tour to New Zealand. It is unlikely England would be prepared to lose their new head coach for his second season in charge especially as, in Gatland’s case, it would take a significant salary to lure him.
Another factor is that Wales allow Gatland to return home to his native New Zealand regularly. He was given two months off after the World Cup and usually goes home after the November international series and Wales’ summer tour. With England demanding instant success and an agreement with the Premiership clubs to be honoured, he would have less time off.
Gatland is currently considering his Wales management team for the next four years. His defence coach since the end of 2007, Shaun Edwards, is out of contract and has been linked with a move to England. Davies said there had been no talks with Edwards about a new deal and that the decisions over the assistant coaches would be made by Gatland.
Wales and Gatland received a fillip on Friday when the Lions centre Jonathan Davies signed a national dual contract and will return to the Scarlets next season after two years with Clermont Auvergne.
