Wales unveil New National Coaching team

WRU UNVEILS NEW INTERGRATED NATIONAL SQUADS COACHING TEAMS

An elite coaching and management team has been unveiled by the Welsh Rugby
Union which details a direct link-up with senior national squad expertise.

Key personnel from Warren Gatland’s backroom team will play a
hands-on and supporting role in nurturing and developing the young talent
being groomed for future honours.

National performance coaching structures now have high powered integrated
coaching line-ups in readiness for the U20s, U18, U16, Sevens
and Womens squad preparations.

Key staff from the senior backroom team have been added to the elite
pathway structure as additional support coaches for individual disciplines,
including Rob Howley, Shaun Edwards, Neil Jenkins and Robin McBryde as well
as other support from key personnel such as nutritionists, analysts and
strength and conditioning staff.

The additional support roles will be utilised by an elite pathway coaching
team bristling with international and regional expertise which build on the
work already done within the regions and the Principality Premiership.

Mark Taylor continues as U20’s Team Manager with Danny Wilson of the
Dragons installed as Head Coach and Forwards Coach along with Byron Hayward
(Backs) and Ioan Cunningham (defence).

At U18 level Gethin Watts continues as Team Manager with the new WRU
National Coaching Manager Allan Lewis taking a hands on approach and
dedicated focus in this crucial age group, along with Dale McIntosh
(forwards) and Gruff Rees, currently coaching Aironi Rugby in Italy,
coaching the backs.

The WRU continue to support the U16 schools national structure and further
enhance this partnership with Simon Davies continuing as Head Coach, the
U16 will also be supported with key personnel in Sophie Bennett
appointed as Team Manager, Euros Evans of Llandovery, Assistant Coach,
former Welsh international centre John Bryant (Backs) and Paul Young
(Forwards) and Iestyn Williams (Assistant Coach).

The Women’s squad will be managed by Sara Davies with Rhys Edwards as
Head Coach and former international Liza Burgess continuing her Assistant
Coach role.

The Sevens squad coaching team is unchanged to continue the development
work now being achieved after having a great start to the IRB World series.

The new link up with national squad coaches has been devised following
detailed discussions between WRU Head of Rugby, Joe Lydon, and the senior
Wales Head Coach, Warren Gatland.

WRU Head of Rugby, Joe Lydon, said: "I am delighted to be able to
announce a coaching structure which is again brimmed full of talent,
expertise and vast experience, building on the exceptional work being done
at regional and national level.

"In order to have continuity our previous appointments remain in
place but we have bolstered the management teams and brought in some extra
strength to continue the work in progress which is currently underway.

"The importance of the elite pathway structure is reflected in the
calibre and range of personnel we now have in place and I am confident they
will make an impact.

"there is never room for complacency in professional sport but I know
we now have a structure and a team in place which can help our talented
young players accelerate development in order to achieve their true
potential.

"The Rugby World Cup in New Zealand proved for Wales that a steady
stream of young talent is now emerging from the system and we want that to
continue and enhance.

"It is very exciting and crucial that the senior national squad
coaches and performance staff to add their talent and expertise to the
structure.

"Obviously they will focus on their national squad duties but by
providing sessions within their individual disciplines when they are
available they will help and inspire the youngsters in our squads.

"This system is designed to develop, test and monitor our young
talent at all levels. These crucial arrangements are now in place with all
the Wales international squads based at the National Centre of Excellence,
so we know this operational structure can work well."

Wales Assistant Coach, Rob Howley said: "The elite pathway structure
is vitally important to the success of Wales at senior level.

"This new initiative means we can ensure all our systems and
structures are aligned and we work together to ensure that talented young
players know exactly what we want them to achieve.

"The WRU now has an excellent team of coaches in place through the
age grade system and it will be great to work together in a truly elite
environment.

"Obviously the core focus for myself, and the other elite staff will
always be on senior duties but it will be a pleasure to be part of the
bigger picture as well.

"There are some excellent young players coming through the system and
this ensures they will get as much help as they need to make the best of
their talents."

Welcome to professional rugby, Whatever we think of the Welsh rugby structure one cant help but be impressed with the standard of the youngsters coming through the ranks.

my goodness, is the WRU and Welsh rugby as a whole, actually doing something....sensible?!

This makes good reading to me.

Getting the more experienced coaches involved at all age grades, providing better links for shared ideas and communication etc and with everyone in the Welsh rugby structure at international (age grade or senior) level, working together, is brilliant.

Am happy with that!

Thought Byron Hayward would be more suited in the fitness role coming from his boxing back round as they tend to be fit as the proverbial butchers dog.

Great to see the Chief in there and I am sure I heard that Gareth Llewellyn was getting rave reviews.

I still hope we can get Kingsley Jones involved somewhere and if the Blues or Ospreys are having a clear out their could do a hell of a lot worse than bring Mikey Rayer back to Wales.

That sounds remarkably like a Rob Andrew speech from a few years ago

Brilliant...!

Absolutely brilliant.

Gruff Rees did he used to coach the Ospreys ?