Warren Gatland has admitted that he and his Wales players are ‘frustrated and disappointed’ following their Six Nations defeat to Italy on Saturday.
The visitors had gone into the clash hoping to end their dire run of form, having lost their previous 13 matches.
But Italy were impressive as they won 22-15 to pile more pressure on Gatland.
The 61-year-old is fighting for his job after the result, with fans taking to social media to call for his head.
Warren Gatland has admitted that he and his Wales players are ‘frustrated and disappointed’ following their Six Nations defeat to Italy on Saturday
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And he’s now admitted to being ‘frustrated and disappointed’ after Wales’ hopes of victory were dashed in rainy Rome.
“I know how hard we are working,” he told S4C.
“I can understand people’s frustration and we are frustrated and disappointed as well because we created opportunities but we have made mistakes and the penalty count was disappointing.
“As a coaching team and players they are not hard fixes but we need to make sure we focus in those key moments.”
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To make matters even worse for Gatland, ITV pundits were scathing in their assessment of Wales’ display.
Dan Biggar said: “If you look at the games they have lost in the last 12 months, today was the poorest performance in that run.
“It is hard to say because there are a lot of good people there but it is just not working. Whatever is going on Monday to Friday is not being transferred to the pitch on a Saturday.
“Wales have Ireland coming to Cardiff in two weeks time, they travel to Scotland and welcome England.
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“This team looks one that is shot of belief and confidence. We keep getting asked the same questions but what are the answers. I am not quite sure. The curve has been downward.”
On Gatland’s future, he added: “That is for people on a higher pay grade than me to decide.
“I don’t think anything is off the table at the moment, it can’t be. It can’t carry on.
“It is such a shame because there are so many good people there who have had success previously but clearly what is happening there in the week is not working.”
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Warren Gatland is under mounting pressure following Wales’ Six Nations defeat to Italy
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And former Wales centre Jamie Roberts was also critical, dubbing their performance as ‘schoolboy’ as they crashed to defeat.
“I thought that was one of Wales’ poorest performances over the last 18-20 months,” he said.
“I think everyone in Wales was expecting a kick back from the disappointing night in Paris last weekend.
“Our kicking game at times tonight was schoolboy.
Wales weren’t at their best as Italy won their Six Nations clash in Rome on Saturday
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“You just can’t win Test matches, especially in the rain, against a quality Italian outfit who did it far better.”
Wales are next in action against Ireland on February 22 (2.15pm).
As for Italy, they’re set to do battle with France on February 23 (3pm).