What does the future hold now for Gatland and Co?

Wayne Pivac after he was revealed as Warren Gatland’s successor this week WAYNE Pivac’s arrival late next year as Warren Gatland’s successor will signal the break-up of the longest serving coaching team in Welsh rugby history.

Not only will Gatland have spent close to 12 years at the Welsh helm at the culmination of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but trusted lieutenants Robert Howley, Robin McBryde and Shaun Edwards will have as well.

Former Wales captain Howley has been backs coach, ex-Wales hooker McBryde forwards boss and Rugby League legend Edwards the defence guru since Gatland began a reign which has brought three Six Nations titles, a World Cup semi-final and quarter-final.

But what will become of them when Gatland calls time on his Welsh career in the autumn of 2019?

There’ll be no shortage of offers for the twice British and Irish Lions head coach.

The former hooker has already been touted as a possible post-World Cup successor to Eddie Jones at England.

There’s also the chance for Gatland to take some time out from the game and return to lead the Lions in South Africa in 2021.

And a third scenario would be for Gatland to wave a bon voyage to the game here and earn his stripes in Super Rugby back in his native New Zealand with the ultimate goal of coaching the All Blacks.

Howley had looked for some time to have been the natural successor to Gatland – with the two spells as caretaker coach while Gatland was on Lions duty seemingly acting as a testrun.

But in October, 2017, Gatland said: “I think having spoken to Rob on a number of occasions, my understanding, from always talking to him, is that after 2019, he was planning to finish with the national team and leave Wales and look for opportunities elsewhere.”

Despite coming in for some criticism in Welsh rugby circles, Howley has his admirers and was tentatively linked alongside Shaun Edwards for the Harlequins job, which went to England defence chief Paul Gustard.

But what of Edwards? His glittering playing career with Wasps could well mean a job in the English Premiership beckons in the future. The mastermind of Wales’ renowned defence has been heavily linked with jobs elsewhere in recent months.

He was reported to be on a very small short list at Harlequins while a move back to League with Wigan Warriors, as successor to Scotlandbound Shaun Wane, was also touted. Gustard’s appointment at the Twickenham Stoop also frees up a job at England with coach Eddie Jones revealing the list of candidates is exclusively English.

That would strengthen the chances of Edwards and Saracens defence coach Alex Sanderson of getting the job.

Gatland hopes Edwards will stay on until the 2019 World Cup in Japan but would not stand in his way if another job opportunity came along.

As for Robin McBryde, the 37-times capped hooker signed a new deal with the WRU back in the summer of 2016 to remain on the management team until after the World Cup.

The 48-year-old said at the time: “We work alongside an incredibly dedicated and talented group of players and it is a privilege to be part of such a strong management team.

“Our current focus is of course, as always, on the next game, but we have a long-term objective and strategy too.

“I think we all feel we have some unfinished business at the Rugby World Cup and, as Martyn Phillips has identified, a successful trip to Japan is the key overreaching target for us all.”

“You can bring one of two people in to convince yourself that you are bringing change, but there is a risk to that.”