But former Wales and Lions winger Evans reckons the current failings of the international side run deeper than Henry’s performance as coach.

‘‘There are far more issues at stake than the coach,’’ Evans said.

‘‘The players and the organising body - the Welsh Rugby Union - all have a responsibility for the current predicament Wales are in.

‘‘The one thing that I feel is that if you are playing for your country you don’t have to play for the coach; you play for your country, your family - to lack motivation because of the coach, I find hard to swallow.’’

Gwyn Jones, who captained Wales under Henry’s predecessor Kevin Bowring, said: ‘‘I think Henry’s departure will be reasonably well received. It was inevitable.

‘‘I think that some people will be glad to see the back of him because things weren’t improving.

‘‘We were so bad against Ireland that I don’t think it could get any worse. We were just demolished.

‘‘A new voice from a new coach might lift spirits and the performances.

‘‘I think - to use a soccer term - that he lost the dressing room about 18 months ago.

‘‘Towards the end the players weren’t giving their all. I certainly don’t think that Wales are 50 points worse than Ireland!

‘‘I hope this will spark change because the structure of the Welsh game as a whole needs changing.

‘‘We need a long-term strategy to get the whole game in Wales back on its feet.’’

Evans predicted that Steve Hansen, Henry’s assistant, will step up and take control for the remainder of the Six Nations campaign.

‘‘Steve Hansen has only just arrived on these shores, and they may take a look at him,’’ he said.

‘‘I’d look at (Llanelli coach) Gareth Jenkins.’’