WRU statement: Union breaks silence on Wales' dire Autumn

The WRU have broken their silence on Wales' horror-show Autumn Nation Series, where Wayne Pivac's team managed just one win from four Tests.

The WRU have confirmed that a previously scheduled review of the Autumn Nations Series will take place as planned but WRU CEO Steve Phillips prefaced it by saying that there is "no room for interpretation" with how they viewed the disastrous campaign.

It is thought that a number of previously unscheduled meetings involving senior Welsh Rugby Union figures have taken place following an embarrassing home defeat against Georgia eight days ago.

And while no decision on Pivac’s future has yet been made – a review of Wales’ dismal Autumn Nations Series campaign could take at least a week – his time appears to be up after 34 Tests in charge that delivered 13 wins, one draw and 20 defeats.

In a statement on Sunday evening, Phillips "left no room for interpretation" when summing up what he thought of Wales’ debut loss to Georgia and final round defeat to Australia, but "he stresses that the proper process must now be followed in order to review the ANS campaign as a whole".

"With no disrespect to Georgia, who are a growing force in the world game, this result was extremely disappointing," said Phillips.

"We were anticipating a significant improvement against Australia and there was an obvious positive reaction but, again, we are of course disappointed not to have won that game.

"We will now review the Autumn Nation Series campaign in its entirety and in detail, as we always do.

"Upon conclusion of this review we will, of course, act on the outcome as we continue to work towards, the now short-term goal of, success at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and the more immediate 2023 Six Nations competition, but also sustainable longer term success."

It doesn't bode well for Pivac's future as Wales head coach and the smart money now seems to be on Warren Gatland returning to his former role in time for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.

additional reporting PA