GAT: OUR ‘FOOTIE’ AXE FEAR

WALES head coach Warren Gatland reckons the rugby sack race is starting to rival football.

The long-reigning Kiwi (above) has just taken charge of his 100th Test match for Wales, but has seen two colleagues get the axe at international level.

France ditched Guy Noves after fewer than two years in charge, before South Africa fired Allister Coetzee – and Gatland reckons it’s only going to get worse.

“The thing with rugby is that there is definitely an element of football coming into it,” he said.

“With Crystal Palace, they made a change after four games in the Premier League.

“The longevity of a coach is pretty limited. It’s 12 months, if you’re lucky, maybe longer. Rugby is going down the same road now.

“I’ve got no doubt that there could potentially be a merrygo-round of coaches in rugby, as in football.”

There has been a spike in sackings in rugby’s top-flight.

Northampton Saints removed Jim Mallinder before Ospreys stalwart Steve Tandy and Ulster coach Les Kiss were shown the exit door after poor runs.

“There are a lot of teams now looking for coaches for next year,” added Gatland.

“It’s concerning.”