Six Nations 2024: Rock Bottom for Wales after Wooden Spoon and Italy Loss
The Welsh national rugby union team has hit a new low, finishing bottom of the 2024 Six Nations table after a dismal campaign. Head coach Warren Gatland described the situation as Welsh rugby reaching “rock bottom” following a 24-21 loss to Italy in Cardiff, the team’s first Six Nations Wooden Spoon since 2003.
Wales suffered five defeats in this year’s Six Nations tournament, the first time they have experienced such a poor run in 21 years. The sight of veteran player George North being carried off injured in his final international appearance, and young captain Dafydd Jenkins bravely facing the media after the Italy loss, encapsulated the team’s difficult journey.
Gatland acknowledged this is a short-term pain for the long-term gain of rebuilding the Welsh rugby program. However, the statistics make for grim reading – Wales have now lost 12 of their last 13 Six Nations matches, including an alarming seven successive home defeats, two of which came against Italy at Principality Stadium.
“Once a formidable fortress, the Principality Stadium has lost its aura, with opposition sides now arriving in Cardiff expecting to win.”
Wales have managed just six victories in 21 home internationals since 2019, a stark contrast to their Grand Slam triumph that year.
Gatland, who returned as head coach in late 2022, even offered his resignation after the Italy defeat, though this was rejected by Welsh Rugby Union officials. The 60-year-old New Zealander faces a significant rebuilding job, having lost numerous experienced players to retirement in the past year.
With a dearth of depth in certain positions, Gatland has opted to blood young talent, but the transition has been painful so far. The team’s next challenges are a daunting tour to face world champions South Africa and Australia in June.
Against this backdrop of on-field struggles, the wider Welsh rugby system is also in need of urgent attention. The under-20s team is underperforming, while the four professional regional sides are languishing in the United Rugby Championship. Significant structural changes may be required to revive the sport at all levels in the principality.
The pain being felt by Wales players, coaches and supporters now must lead to long-term gain if Welsh rugby is to regain its former glory on the international stage. Tough decisions lie ahead for the Welsh Rugby Union leadership as they seek to arrest this alarming decline.
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