Wales Rugby results 2023: World Cup rebuild continues for Gatland after poor Six Nations display

He was Wales' head coach for 12 succesful years, winning four Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams and reaching two World Cup semifinals. And after a woeful run of results cost Wayne Pivac his job in late 2022, Warren Gatland is back as the head honcho of Welsh rugby.

A drubbing by New Zealand and shock defeat to Georgia to open the autumn tests certainly didn't help Pivac's cause, and Australia overcoming a 21-point deficit to win 39-34 in Cardiff – consigning Wales to a record-breaking comeback defeat – proved to be his last match in charge.

With Gatland re-appointed for his second spell in charge of the national side, optimism was restored across the Principality. However, it's been far from plain sailing for the New Zealander so far in 2023.

Their Six Nations campaign got off to a woeful start with three straight defeats to Ireland, Scotland and England respectively, though the latter 20-10 loss in Cardiff was an improvement on the bonus-point defeats suffered in the opening two weeks.

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Gatland's side avenged the ghosts of 2022 by beating Italy in Rome, securing their first points of the tournament at the fourth attempt, and added another bonus point in a 41-28 loss to France on the final matchday, scoring four tries to France's five in a Super Saturday thriller.

The summer's World Cup warm-up matches started brightly for Wales, who completely outplayed England to win 20-9 in Cardiff. The shine was soon taken off that victory though, as England responded with a late comeback to defeat Wales 19-17 at Twickenham, despite playing the final quarter with 14 men.

Worse was yet to come for Wales though, who were given a schooling by world champions South Africa at the Principality Stadium. The 52-16 drubbing saw the Springboks cross the tryline eight times before Sam Parry's late consolation for Wales.

Six defeats in eight games this calendar year going into a Rugby World Cup was far from ideal preparation, but Wales find themselves in Pool C – arguably the most open group at the tournament. But wins over all four opponents – Fiji, Portugal, Australia and Georgia - saw them book a spot in the quarterfinals against Argentina.

MORE: Every team's route to the final at the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Wales Rugby Union fixtures 2023

Wales Rugby Union results 2023

How did Wales' 2023 Six Nations campaign pan out?

Wales' first two matches saw them concede at least four tries and score just once in each, losing 34-10 to Ireland in Warren Gatland's first match back in Cardiff. They headed to Murrayfield the following week, but after a tight first half, Scotland crossed four times in the second to romp to a 35-7 victory.

In week three, old rivals England headed to the Principality Stadium, and despite the 20-10 scoreline suggesting a closely-fought encounter, Wales were dominated for most of the game, only keeping England within touching distance thanks to an intercept try from Louis Rees-Zammit.

Week four finally saw the men in red pick up a first victory, scoring four well-worked tries to down Italy in Rome as their attack finally clicked into gear. It clicked again towards the latter stages of their final game against France, within three late tries giving Wales parity and a bonus point in a 41-28 defeat to close out an underwhelming tournament.

This list will be updated as Wales' results over the course of the year are confirmed, including potential knockout matches at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

MORE: The best players and records throughout Six Nations history.