Former British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan has shown his support to Wales boss Warren Gatland and backed the decision for him to remain in the role until at least the 2015 World Cup.
Gatland’s deal was extended by four years not so long ago, but since then, the team has gone on a winless streak during the autumn internationals and some have questioned the future of the Wales boss.
McGeechan – who had Gatland as his assistant in the 2009 Lions tour – is convinced that Wales aren’t too far behind the top nations though and believes that stability should be shown in order for Wales to be one of the front runners come the 2015 World Cup.
He said: “The teams that are most effective are the ones with the stable management and stable coach. So I think going forward with that management team and what the players want and the direction, I think it makes huge sense.”
As for the performances shown by the team of late, McGeechan says he has seen more than enough to suggest good times are ahead for Gatland and all of those in a Welsh Rugby Shirt.
Referring to one game in particular, he said: “I think particularly against the All Blacks, I thought that was the outstanding Welsh performance. The defence, the commitment and the rugby was, I would think, very encouraging from a Welsh point of view.”
There does need to be improvements though and Wales need to turn encouraging performances into victories should they want to succeed in the Six Nations or the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
