Pivac will replace Gatland as Wales coach next year

Wayne Pivac of Scarlets is set to be confirmed as Warren Gatland’s successor as Wales head coach today.

Pivac topped a shortlist that included Dave Rennie of Glasgow Warriors to take over from Gatland following the Rugby World Cup in Japan next year.

Gatland has led Wales since 2008 and also coached the British and Irish Lions on two tours during his time in the Northern Hemisphere. Wales have won two Six Nations Grand Slam titles during his reign, in 2008 and 2012, and reached the 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-finals.

Pivac joined Scarlets in 2014 but his reputation has soared after the team reached back-to-back Pro14 finals, winning the title in 2017 against Munster.

The Kiwi coach has won praise for the Scarlets’ attacking mindset and has also played a key role in the development of previously unheralded players like Ireland lock Tadhg Beirne and Wales centre Hadleigh Parkes. A large number of Scarlets players now make up the core of the Wales side.

Pivac, a former police officer, began his coaching career with Auckland, winning the New Zealand Rugby coach of the year award in 2003.

He spent three years in charge of Fiji before spells with North Harbour and again with Auckland before joining Scarlets. Pivac will become the fourth New Zealander to take charge of Wales, after Gatland and earlier Graham Henry (1998-2002) and Steve Hansen (2002-2004), who both went on to win the Rugby World Cup as head coach of the All Blacks.

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley, who has acted as caretaker coach at times in recent years, is expected to leave the set-up with Gatland next year.