Irish interim also in contention for permanent Wales role
Michael Cheika has emerged as the 3/1 favourite with BoyleSports to succeed Warren Gatland as the permanent Head Coach of the Wales Rugby Union team as the latest odds were revealed on potential candidates.
It was announced on Tuesday that Gatland was leaving his position in the wake of Wales’ challenging start to the Six Nations, which has extended their record-breaking losing streak to 14 international matches.
The 22-15 defeat to Italy in Rome last Saturday marked their first loss in the Italian capital since 2007 and left them facing the prospect of their second successive wooden spoon as they lie rooted to the bottom of the Six Nations table.
Cheika, who has previously coached Australia and Argentina at international level, is stepping down from his role as Head Coach at the Leicester Tigers at the end of the season, with the Midlands side currently sitting fourth in the Premiership table.
Matt Sherratt, who was appointed by the WRU to see out the Six Nations campaign, is only 4/1 third favourite to stay on after the tournament and take the job on a permanent basis, and trails Cheika and Ireland’s interim Head Coach Simon Easterby in the early betting.
Easterby is due to return to the Irish backroom team when Andy Farrell completes his Lions coaching duties and will lead the Six Nations favourites when they attempt to keep their Grand Slam prospects on track with a trip to Cardiff next weekend.
But the former flanker is now second favourite at 3/1 for the Wales hotseat and is believed to be a long-term target for the WRU along with Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith, who is also prominent in the list of potential appointments at 4/1.
Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “Michael Cheika is prominent in the scrum and punters are clearly well aware of his impending availability. But the prospect of Wales raiding a Six Nations rival remains a very possible outcome according to the latest odds, with Ireland’s Simon Easterby thought to be high on the list of permanent targets.”
ENDS
Next Permanent Head Coach of Wales
3/1 Michael Cheika
7/2 Simon Easterby
4/1 Matt Sherratt
9/2 Franco Smith
8/1 Stuart Lancaster
9/1 Brad Mooar
10/1 Graham Rowntree
10/1 Steve Tandy
12/1 Frans Ludeke
12/1 Vern Cotter
12/1 Dai Young
16/1 Jonathan Humphreys
16/1 Dwayne Peel
16/1 Rob Howley
16/1 Shaun Edwards
20/1 Joe Schmidt
20/1 Adam Jones
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