Warren Gatland will get rid of the Wales coaching team left behind from Wayne Pivac’s tenure

Rob Howley is a leading contender to make what would be a dramatic Wales return after Warren Gatland ripped up the coaching team he inherited from Wayne Pivac. 

Wales confirmed Sportsmail’s story on Thursday that their new head coach Gatland had opted to dispense with the services of incumbent assistants Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins. 

Howley – who was replaced as Wales attack coach by Jones on the eve of the 2019 World Cup after being found to have breached betting rules – is among the names being considered to now join Gatland’s new regime. 

Warren Gatland is planning a complete overhaul to his coaching staff with the Wales team

Former Wales attack chief Rob Howley is in contention to return to the national side 

Ex-England and Harlequins coach Paul Gustard is also in the frame as a possible new Wales defence coach to replace Jenkins. 

Gatland returned to Wales earlier this month, replacing Pivac who had a disappointing 2022 and suffered shock home losses to both Italy and Georgia. 

His first big call has been to decide to move on Jones and Jenkins, although Gatland has retained Pivac’s forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys and long-term ally Neil Jenkins. Wales’ attack struggled badly in 2022, but the decision to replace Jones and Gethin Jenkins is still a big one for Gatland to have made. 

Wales are moving quickly to get their new coaching team firmed up and Gatland is expected to confirm the identities of his attack and defence assistants early in 2023. 

A possible return for Howley, one of Gatland’s most trusted lieutenants with both Wales and the British & Irish Lions, would be some turnaround for the former scrum-half.

A number of coaches will be dismissed following Wayne Pivac’s (pictured) departure

Attack coach Stephen Jones is set to move on from his current position as assistant

Since his dramatic departure from the Wales set-up in Japan and 18-month ban for betting, Howley has been working with Canada. Finding new assistants at such short notice is a difficult task for Gatland, who is now back with Wales for a second time after a glittering first spell in charge between 2007 and 2019. 

Howley would likely be available and would surely jump at another high-profile job with Wales. 

Gustard, who worked under Eddie Jones with England before taking charge at Harlequins, is highly rated in rugby circles but is currently contracted to French side Stade Francais. 

‘The very nature of a change at the helm of a national team brings with it the possibility for evolution in the back-room staff,’ said Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Steve Phillips. 

‘I know both Stephen and Gethin understand this part of the process and they should be commended for the good grace with which they have accepted the decision. 

Forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys is one of the few staff who will survive the transition

‘We thank both Stephen and Gethin sincerely for their dedicated services to Welsh rugby as senior men’s team coaches. 

‘We have appointed a very experienced and senior head coach – one of the best coaches in the world game and Wales’ most successful ever coach – and it is important to now ensure he is afforded the very best opportunity to succeed. 

‘That means giving our maximum support as Warren seeks to build the right team around him to achieve success for Wales in the short amount of time available. 

‘We look forward to making further positive appointments in the New Year.’ 

Wales open up the 2023 Six Nations against Ireland in Cardiff on February 4. 

Gatland has also retained Wales team manager Martyn Williams and the national side’s wider strength and conditioning and analyst teams who worked under him previously as well as with Pivac. 

Gatland will want his backroom staff sorted as soon as possible ahead of their Six Nations run