Gatland's a facing big day at the office

WARREN Gatland has known plenty of huge fixtures during his coaching Grand Slam career games, Six Nations title-clinchers, Lions series deciders and World Cup semi-finals, plus European and Premiership finals.

- SIMON THOMAS

In theory, today's Principality Stadium encounter with Fiji is far less momentous. There's no trophy at stake, no tournament points. In essence, it's a friendly.

Yet, it has the feel of being one of the most significant games of Gatland's rugby life.

If his team is defeated, he will equal the worst ever losing run by a Wales coach matching the 10-Test barren streak endured by fellow Kiwi Steve Hansen in 2002-03.

That would be a thoroughly unwanted record to go alongside all his great achievements in the job.

The showdown with the south sea islanders is all the more portentous given what lies ahead, as the next seven matches are all eminently losable. Australia and South Africa provide the other opposition this month, while the Six Nations sees home games against powerful Ireland and England, along with testing trips to France, Scotland and Italy.

Lose today and there has to be a fear the barren run could continue throughout the season and that would surely be the end for Gatland, even with his historic credit in the bank.

There has been context and mitigation to the losing streak in terms of injuries and the youth of the Welsh squad.