Three on list as Wales set deadline for new coach

WALES hope to announce Warren Gatland’s successor as national head coach by next summer. New Zealander Gatland, who has been in charge of Wales since late 2007, will leave his job after the 2019 World Cup in Japan. It is understood that a list of eight contenders has already been whittled down to three. Speaking to reporters after the

Welsh Rugby Union annual general meeting yesterday, chairman and former Wales fly-half Gareth Davies said: ‘We have got a target of announcing the new head coach by the summer of 2018. ‘We have been very busy boys over the last six months talking to various people, and we are making progress.’ Under Gatland Wales have won three Six Nations titles, two Grand Slams and reached the 2011 World Cup semi-finals. Assistant coach Rob Howley, who has twice stepped up to the main role for season-long stints when Gatland has been on British and Irish Lions duty, could be in the frame as the successor, while Wasps director of rugby Dai Young also has his admirers. Gatland has not been involved in the interview process so far but the WRU plans to tap into his specialist knowledge before a successor is unveiled. Gatland is set to announce his squad for the autumn Tests later this month, with Wales facing Australia, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa between November 11 and December 2.