'No silver bullet' to Wales' problems - Warburton

Sam Warburton captained Wales and the British and Irish Lions

Men's Six Nations: Italy v Wales

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: Saturday, 8 February Kick-off: 14:15 GMT

Coverage: Listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales & BBC Radio Cymru; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app; watch on ITV1 and S4C.

Former Wales captain Sam Warburton says there is "no silver bullet" to Wales' problems and does not expect a change in coaching staff should they lose to Italy.

Warren Gatland's side suffered a 13th successive Test loss in their Six Nations opener to France on Friday.

Les Bleus ran in seven tries to inflict a record 43-0 tournament defeat for Wales in France.

Gatland has been challenged by Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney to "lead Wales to success" at this year's tournament following an autumn review.

If Wales lose to Italy in Rome on Saturday, Warburton cannot foresee any immediate changes to the coaching staff.

"If they lose this game I think there's going to be no changes made during the Six Nations from a staffing perspective," Warburton told BBC Two's Six Nations Rugby Special.

When asked who was to blame for what is happening in Welsh rugby, Warburton said: "There's no silver bullet, everyone thinks they've got the answer.

"There is no coach in world rugby that is going to come in and make up a 43-point deficit."

Biggest Wales game for 20 years?

But Warburton does not rule out change further down the line if Wales are defeated.

"It is a massive game for Wales," Warburton told the Rugby Union weekly podcast.

"If they lose, you imagine behind closed doors the WRU board and CEO getting together and saying 'what is the plan' because this is getting bad.

"The consequences could be the biggest we have had in 15 years meaning maybe players and coaches, there could be a clean sweep.

"There could be players, where they say we have tried all these combinations, where they say he is just not a Test player.

"With the coaching staff, they would be 14 in a row if they lose next week and that then could be 17 in a row.

"Potentially they are staring down the barrel with Ireland and England at home and Scotland away, so it's going to take a massive performance to win one of them."

Another former captain Dan Biggar described this weekend as the most important in Welsh rugby for 15-20 years.

Warburton says "I don't think it's their biggest game" with Wales playing for Grand Slam titles and in Rugby World Cup semi-finals during that period.

"I think what Dan meant was the consequences could be some of the biggest in the last 15 years," said Warburton.

"If they lose that game, they've then got Ireland, Scotland and England.

"It's tricky to see where the win is going to come, I think that's why people are pinning so much pressure on this game."

"Biggest drop off in Six Nations history?"

Warburton questioned whether this was the biggest Six Nations drop off since the tournament expanded in 2000, with Wales having won the Grand Slam in 2019 and the Six Nations title two years later.

"It was only six years ago they were ranked number one in the world," said Warburton.

"I don't agree with the rankings, they were not the number one side in the world, but it just shows they were on an amazing run and had won the Grand Slam going into the World Cup.

"They won the Six Nations four years ago and over the last 15 years historically Wales have been a top three team, been competitive and don't lose by more than a score, bar a few games.

"Now, is it the biggest drop-off we have seen in Six Nations history? Has a side ever plummeted so quickly?"

Six Nations relegation debate

In February 2021, Warburton said Italy were "not good enough" and backed Six Nations promotion and relegation to give teams like Georgia the opportunity to compete.

Saturday's match in Rome is being billed as a Wooden Spoon decider just a year after Gatland's side finished bottom of the table.

Warburton says his opinion on relegation has not changed just because Wales are struggling.

"There are some people saying 'I bet you don't want relegation now' but absolutely I would," said Warburton.

"I am not sitting on my perch saying Wales are untouchable, it would be brilliant television.

"People will say you can't do that because it will ruin the game financially.

"If Wales go into the second tier of European rugby, the financial drop-off is going to be massive, there might need to be some sort of balloon payment to help the big drop in earnings.

"It would be catastrophic for regional rugby in Wales, which I am involved in, but all I am saying is the drama and opportunity for say, Georgia, would be amazing.

"If Wales played Georgia in a play-off this summer, it would be a massive game and I reckon get as many viewing figures as a Wales v England match."