SACKED! Wales axe Wayne Pivac, Warren Gatland makes sensational return

Wayne Pivac has been relieved of his Wales head coach duties and Warren Gatland is making a sensational long-term return to Welsh rugby.

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WalesOnline understands Gatland has signed an initial two-year deal and could even stay longer in a director of rugby role.

A Welsh Rugby Union review into a dismal Test campaign has been carried out after Wales won just three out of 12 Tests this calendar year, with the WRU hierarchy deciding a changing of the guard was necessary nine months out from a Rugby World Cup.

Three-time Lions coach Gatland, 59, who was succeeded by Pivac after the 2019 World Cup semi-final run, oversaw four Six Nations titles and three Grand Slams with Wales between 2007 and 2019.

He was reportedly flying from New Zealand, where he has been director of rugby for Super Rugby side, the Chiefs, to Cardiff on Sunday.

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Gatland’s return to Wales as head coach ends any speculation of him potentially taking over from Eddie Jones at England, who have been holding their own review after a similarly dismal autumn.

In November alone, Pivac’s Wales were hammered by New Zealand and threw away leads to implode in the closing quarter against both Australia and Georgia.