Sacking me won't help Wales, insists Gatland in plea for patience

The last rites, if that is what they are, are going to drag on a while longer yet. Warren Gatland has reiterated that he would resign as head coach if it were "in the best interests of Welsh rugby", while also making it Very clear that in his opinion it is not.

- Andy Bull

Gatland says he had the conversations with his family and his employers after Wales lost 52-20 to Australia on Sunday, their 11th straight defeat. Whatever was said, it has left him "focused solely on preparing the team for this week".

Which brings the ominous prospect of a match against South Africa, the back-to-back world champions. The only thing Wales would gain by making a change at this point is a bad start for whoever they let take over.

Whether Gatland is still there for the first game of the Six Nations, which is away to France at the end of January, is another question. He would not be drawn on it: "If you start thinking about other things, it's a distraction you don't need." But he did confirm there is no break clause in his contract, so the WRU would need to buy him out.