23 Oct 2008

Gatland considering future with Wales

7:19 am on 23 October 2008

The current Wales and former Ireland and Waikato rugby coach Warren Gatland is considering his future due to the row between the Welsh Rugby Union and the four Welsh regions over the release of players.

The Blues, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets have formed Regional Rugby Wales headed by former Wales and New Zealand rugby CEO David Moffett saying it will improve the way the professional game in Wales is run.

Gatland has named a 32-man squad for upcoming tests, but still doesn't know when he can assemble his players ahead of facing world champions South Africa in just over a fortnight.

The Welsh regions are adamant their internationals won't be released until five days before that test wheras under the current agreement it's 13 days.

Gatland fears that will mean the side won't be properly prepared and says he's become pretty despondent over the whole situation when they're due to play three of the best sides in the world, followed by the Six Nations and a Lions tour.

Gatland's contract runs through until the end of the 2011 world cup.