Warren Gatland is joining Peñarol for 3 weeks to advise Ivo Dugonjic’s coaching staff in Uruguay. As reported by Ignacio Chans, one of the most prestigious training in rugby history is on his way to Uruguay to train the country’s professional team for the remainder of Super Rugby Americas 2025.
Gatland is a former Head Coach of Wales, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions. He coached Ireland, against Argentina, at Rugby World Cup 1999 and coached Wales at Rugby World Cups 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023. He also coached Wales to three Six Nations Grand Slams.
His second stint as Wales Head Coach saw him coaching the team to the Rugby World Cup 2023 Quarter Finals. After going unbeaten in the pool stage, the Welsh were eliminated by Argentina. Wales has not won a test match since then and losses added up until Gatland left his post as Wales Head Coach during the 2025 Six Nations.
His professional coaching career includes coaching Connacht from 1996-1998 then Ireland from 1998-2001. He coached the Wasps in the English Premiership from 2002-2004, Waikato from 2005-2007, Wales from 2007-2019 and 2022-2025 and the Chiefs in Super Rugby from 2020-2022. He also coached the British & Irish Lions for their tours in 2013, 2017 and 2021.
Peñarol, Super Rugby Americas and Los Teros are a new experience for the 61-year-old New Zealander. Peñarol players will be Uruguay’s backbone for upcoming RWC Qualifiers. Uruguay are looking to qualify for a sixth Rugby World Cup and a fourth consecutive tournament. Los Teros defeated Namibia at RWC 2023, Fiji at RWC 2019, Georgia at RWC 2023 and Spain while debuting at RWC 1999.
Peñarol have qualified for the Super Rugby Americas 2025 Semi Finals. The Uruguayan side has a final fixture against Los Pampas before the Semi Finals. Los Dogos, who fell to Peñarol at home this past weekend, and Los Pampas have all secured places in the play-off’s. Selknam, Los Tarucas and Yacare are all chasing the one remaining spot.
The final regular season game for Peñarol will be at home against Los Pampas on Friday. A win will secure Peñarol a home semi final in Montevideo. Gatland is to work with the team on technical aspects and not focus on the final results in Super Rugby Americas.
The bigger picture for Uruguay is qualifying for Rugby World Cup 2027. Los Teros will begin their qualifiers against Paraguay in July. The winner of the two match series will face either Brazil or Chile, in two matches, to determine who qualifies for Australia 2027 as South America 1.
The post Warren Gatland Joins Uruguay Coaching Staff appeared first on Americas Rugby News.
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