So, it’s as you had been for Wales within the Six Nations.

One win, 4 defeats and a fifth-place end as Wales emulated their outcomes of 2022.

It has been a painful marketing campaign at instances on and off the sphere, punctuated solely by the odd ray of hope, most notably a welcome away win in Italy.

Defeats in opposition to Eire, Scotland, England and France punctured the fanciful notion that Gatland’s return would eradicate all the issues of Welsh rugby.

As Eire have a good time a Grand Slam, the struggling Wales squad is in main transition on the sphere and the Welsh recreation stays in disaster off it.

New combos

Gatland has introduced in a brand new backroom staff with Mike Forshaw and Alex King changing the earlier defence coach Gethin Jenkins and assault coach Stephen Jones respectively.

Wales leaked 19 tries throughout the match as opposition assaults managed to interrupt down the defensive system.

The assault improved because the marketing campaign progressed, after the aspect solely scored three tries within the first three matches.

4 extra tries got here in opposition to Italy in Rome earlier than 4 scores in defeat in Paris ensured no less than a dropping bonus level.

Welsh followers started to see the emergence of a blueprint on the Stade de France, particularly within the opening 20 minutes and the ultimate quarter. This Welsh squad remains to be looking for its id.

Wales can have some administration modifications earlier than the World Cup, with head of efficiency Paul Stridgeon leaving with speedy impact.

World Cup lies in wait

Wales coach Gatland and captain Ken Owens had been each fairly bullish about their World Cup hopes after defeat to France.

Gatland warned opposition sides they might be shocked about how good his staff could be in France later this 12 months, whereas Owens insisted Wales would elevate some eyebrows on the international match.

The outcomes of 13 defeats in 17 matches won’t again up these assured assertions however the predictions are based mostly on the period of time Gatland can have with the squad earlier than the match begins in September.

There can be brutal health coaching camps in July, deliberate for Switzerland and Turkey, and three warm-up matches in August – a double-header in opposition to England in Cardiff and Twickenham and the go to of world champions South Africa to the Principality Stadium.

Wales start the match in opposition to Fiji in Bordeaux on 10 September earlier than going through Portugal, Australia and Georgia in Good, Lyon and Nantes respectively.

They’ve benefited from the World Cup draw being made early with the present prime 5 sides on the earth – Eire, France, New Zealand, South Africa and Scotland – within the different half of the draw.

Meaning if Wales can end within the prime two of their pool and obtain quarter-final qualification they’re more likely to face England or Argentina within the final eight.

Discovering the method

Gatland has been striving to discover a settled aspect however 26 modifications throughout the match recommend it has been a battle.

Solely captain Owens, wing Josh Adams and second row Adam Beard began each recreation as Wales used 35 gamers throughout the 5 matches.

Differing combos and an absence of choice consistency have been evident.

Gatland can have these three World Cup warm-up video games to find out his 33-man squad.

Gamers who missed the match by means of damage like Johnny Williams, Dewi Lake and Gareth Anscombe – and maybe Will Rowlands, relying on whether or not he’s eligible underneath the brand new 25-cap rule – can have an opportunity to stake their declare.

People who’re out of favour akin to Ross Moriarty and Nicky Smith also needs to have the ability to make their case.

“These issues will evolve,” stated Gatland. “You do not pigeon-hole your self into making these selections now.

“It is vital that everybody will get a possibility, there are gamers getting back from damage, we’ve not spoken to anybody else who is likely to be eligible with the change of the eligibility guidelines, and little question there can be some bolters who put up their hand with the way in which they probably practice within the camps.

“You go in with an open thoughts and never desirous to make these selections too early.

“So I’m miles away from considering what a 33 goes to be in the intervening time.”

Expertise or youth?

Gatland can have a significant determination to make about what he does concerning the stalwarts who’ve served Welsh rugby so effectively for greater than a decade.

He said earlier than the French fixture that as much as eight gamers is likely to be taking part in their final Six Nations match in Paris.

Gatland didn’t identify these people however the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, 37, Ken Owens, 36, Rhys Webb, 34, Leigh Halfpenny, 34, Dan Biggar, 33, Justin Tipuric, 33, Taulupe Faletau, 32, and George North, 30, could be the main contenders for his prediction.

There’s a pure altering of the guard after the World Cup however what the Wales coach decides to do with the previous timers earlier than the match can be attention-grabbing.

Gatland has proven little sentiment in earlier World Cup build-ups after not deciding on Martyn Williams for the 2011 match and ditching Richard Hibbard, Mike Phillips and James Hook 4 years later.

Wales have given alternatives to kids like Joe Hawkins, Mason Grady and Dafydd Jenkins who’re all simply 20, whereas Christ Tshiunza, Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell additionally convey the typical age down.

Disaster continues

There can be no respite for the Welsh Rugby Union after this match ends as bosses attempt to sort out the off-the-field controversies which have beset the sport in Wales.

This competitors will in all probability not be remembered for the underwhelming outcomes achieved, however extra for the actual fact Wales nearly didn’t play in opposition to England in Cardiff due to a dispute over gamers’ contracts.

The strike was averted, concessions had been made and contracts have since been provided to gamers.

However wages can be drastically lowered and the 4 areas are set to be even much less aggressive subsequent season within the United Rugby Championship and European competitors.

Then there may be the little matter of a rare common assembly on Sunday, 26 March to attempt to persuade the golf equipment to conform to main governance modifications.

This has been prompted by the BBC Wales Investigates programme that raised accusations of sexism and misogyny inside the organisation and finally led to the departure of former chief govt Steve Phillips.

Welsh rugby wants to alter off the sphere to assist the sport on it and it has a possibility subsequent weekend to begin that course of.

The established order can not stay. It actually can’t be ‘as you had been’ any extra.