Gatland Joins Penarol as Advisor, Eyes World Cup

Warren Gatland, former Wales head coach, has accepted an advisory role with Uruguay's professional rugby club Penarol after departing from Wales during the Six Nations following a record 14 consecutive Test defeats. Gatland will work with Penarol's head coach Ivo Dugonjic and staff as the team enters the Super Rugby Americas (SRA) play-off finals, with Penarol currently atop the SRA standings. Founded in 2019 as Uruguay’s first professional rugby club, Penarol supplies most of the national team’s players. Gatland is also expected to help Uruguay in its bid to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with qualifiers against Paraguay and potentially Chile or Brazil ahead. His appointment is seen as a significant boost for both Penarol and Uruguayan rugby. Despite a difficult second spell with Wales, Gatland is highly respected, having previously led Wales to three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals.