Tonight's rugby news as WRU want totally different head coach and Wales boss 'massively hurt'

Wales Online

28-04-2025

Tonight's rugby news as WRU want totally different head coach and Wales boss 'massively hurt'
The latest headlines from Wales and around the world
The new Wales head coach will have a very different style to Warren Gatland
(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency )
These are your evening rugby headlines on Monday, April 28.
New Welsh rugby chief wants totally different coach
The Welsh Rugby Union's new director of rugby Dave Reddin says the next head coach of the men's senior team needs to be "collaborative, curious and open-minded" as he signalled a departure from the approach of former boss Warren Gatland. Reddin's appointment in the crucial role was confirmed last week and, at his unveiling, he spoke of "changing the culture" within the union and insisted he will not shy away from having tough conversations with those involved.
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With the appointment of a new Wales head coach first up in his in-tray, the former England fitness coach said the search "needs to be rigorous", and has now laid out a set of criteria to find the perfect candidate, one that can help to turn around the fortunes of Welsh rugby for good.
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With Gatland previously criticised for being too rigid in his approach and not collaborating closely enough with the regions during his second stint in charge, Reddin says his successor needs to be open-minded and "part of the system all of the time", as well as "ideally" having a connection to Wales. 25% OFF DEAL NOW: Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
"'The ultimate responsibility is mine, so I'll be fully involved with that process and it is the critical one," he told Mail Sport. "Coming in, it is important for me to be open-minded, but I'm not someone who believes in what I call a unicorn head coach; these mythical people who have all the knowledge in every respect and know the answers to everything.
"The head coach should be someone who is collaborative, curious and open-minded, as opposed to coming in with a very fixed view of 'this is how I do'".
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Reflecting on the coaches that have come before, Reddin added: "Also, looking at the past, it's really important that this person has – ideally – a connection to Wales. But, if not, then they are prepared to be absolutely part of the system 24/7.
"This is not a part-time thing. We want someone who is part of the system all of the time and is going to be interacting with junior teams, academies and regions; not just being there for the Test matches."
Wales boss 'hurts massively'
Wales head coach Sean Lynn says he "hurts massively" after his side picked up the Women's Six Nations wooden spoon for the second year running.
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A 44-12 defeat to Italy on the final weekend meant Wales finished bottom of the pile again, having not picked up a single win during the tournament.
Lynn began working with the squad just days before their competition opener against Scotland, having helped Gloucester-Hartpury to a third successive Premiership Women's Rugby title the previous weekend.
After a disappointing first campaign in charge, and with the Women's Rugby World Cup now less than four months away, the Welshman says improvements are needed.
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'In the second half, Italy played more of a territorial game and we (were punished) for our discipline," he said after Sunday's defeat in Parma. 'I said it before the game, you can't play international rugby, giving 18 penalties away, and we just didn't adapt to the referee in the second half at the breakdown.
'I just think work rate from everyone needs to improve, and we're not skilful enough at international level at the moment.'
'I knew it was going to be a difficult job,' he added. 'And the lack of time I had (with the players), but it's been a very valuable experience for me, the learnings I've had.
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'It's tough, I've taken a lot of learnings from it and where we need to be going, heading into the World Cup and I've said to the group of players and staff, we will be looking to change and we will be working hard in that preseason."
While he and his squad have a mountain to climb, Lynn is confident he can turn things around, explaining: 'I've been there coaching a university men's team. We went seven losses on the bounce, and we turned it around and came back and won the championship.
'I've been there and in these adverse moments, it's all about everyone pulling together. It hurts, it hurts me massively, hurts the players, and it hurts the staff. But together we will put this right.'
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'Little doubt' Wales star will make Lions squad
Wallabies legend David Campese says there is "little doubt" that Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams will be on the plane for this year's British & Irish Lions tour after another outstanding display for Gloucester.
Williams was at the heart of the action as the Cherry & Whites demolished Exeter Chiefs on Sunday, directly contributing to four of his side's 13 tries as they romped to a 79-17 mauling at Kingsholm.
The Welshman has been one of the best players in the Gallagher Premiership this season following his move across the border from Cardiff last summer and Campese is sure that his fine form means he will be heading to Australia this summer.
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Picking his Premiership team of the week for Planet Rugby, the former back handed the No.9 jersey to Williams but also gave credit to England international Alex Mitchell as he backed both of them to make the Lions tour.
"The hardest pick of the week," he wrote. " Alex Mitchell was sublime for Saints and he'll be on Qantas QF002 come June.
"There's little doubt Williams will be seated alongside him and I pick the Welshman because he ignited the Gloucester rout of Exeter which may yet see his team qualify for the play-offs."
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Campese's praise was echoed by Gloucester head coach George Skivington, who said his scrum-half was "definitely" building towards the Lions and added: 'Selection isn't that far away, and that game (against Exeter) won't do him any harm. I think he's one of the best nines in the British Isles and deserves to be there."
Wales youngster impresses again
Welsh youngster Louie Hennessey put in an impressive performance in an unfamiliar position as Bath thrashed Newcastle Falcons 55-19 to ensure they will finish the regular season top of the Gallagher Premiership.
Johann van Graan's side will have a home play-off semi-final after running in eight tries against the league's bottom side on Saturday, with Hennessey among those to get on the scoresheet.
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The 21-year-old has long been regarded as one of the hottest prospects in Welsh rugby, with his explosive carrying and sizeable 6ft 3in, 16st 4lb frame making him a handful for opposition defences from midfield. He has been tipped to break into the senior Wales squad before too long and did his chances of a senior call-up no harm with a fine display on the wing against Newcastle.
While he is most comfortable at outside centre, Hennessey proved a threat throughout, with our colleagues at SomersetLive hailing a "very impressive performance" from the Welshman.
Giving him an eight out of 10 rating for his performance, the publication wrote: "The usual centre was moved out onto the wing for today's encounter due to the multitude of injuries the Blue, Black and White have in the backs. He had a couple of bright moments on the ball, and then he came alive with a superb line to explode through the Newcastle defence and race away to the line, unselfishly passing the ball back inside to a supporting Carr-Smith to dot the ball down under the posts.
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"He had more joy in the second half as Newcastle struggled with their 14 men, finding a few more gaps to exploit and burst through, the report continued. "He was then able to get himself and the scoresheet this time around, with another break from Donoghue giving Hennessey the ball to charge in from the 22-metre line and dive into the left-hand corner.
"Out on the wing, away from his usual position, it was a very impressive performance from the Welsh youngster."