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Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
The search for Wales' new head coach, why it's taking time and names still in frame
The search for Wales' new head coach, why it's taking time and names still in frame The WRU's search for a new head coach shows no sign of ending WRU chief executive Abi Tierney and newly appointment Dave Reddin, director of rugby and elite performance (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) The Welsh Rugby Union's search for a new head coach remains ongoing three months after they parted ways with Warren Gatland. Matt Sherratt will lead Wales to Japan as interim head coach, having held that role for the final three games of the Six Nations, but the identity of Gatland's long-term successor has not been finalised. The WRU have chosen not to rush into an appointment, but while there is no deadline on the appointment Welsh rugby is in need of a long-term head coach who can work closely with the new director of rugby Dave Reddin to plot a way forward for the game in Wales. In the weeks after parting ways with Gatland, the WRU did make contact with agents and coaches, with a number of early contenders emerging. Ireland's Simon Easterby was a name high up on the list, with his thorough knowledge and experience of Welsh rugby after almost 20 years as a player and coach at the Scarlets marking him out as a prime candidate. Experienced Australian Michael Cheika was also someone of interest, while Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam confirmed to WalesOnline on the Welsh Rugby Podcast the WRU had enquired about his availability. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Article continues below But Lam is in the middle of a long-term contract at Bristol and, while Cheika is leaving Leicester Tigers at the end of the season, his family are based in Australia. Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith, who led the Scottish club to the United Rugby Championship title last season, was another leading contender. "I would like to coach international rugby again... you never know," the former Newport outside-half told Premier Sports when asked whether he'd be interested in the Wales job. But there was another dynamic to Smith's position with many in the game touting the South African as Gregor Townsend's long-term successor as head coach of Scotland. However, Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy then became the frontrunner for the job having held talks with the WRU. But Reddin has taken over the search for a new head coach since being appointed DOR and, as a result, the WRU have taken a breath. WalesOnline understands Tandy remains a strong contender, while former England boss Stuart Lancaster's name has also been thrown into the mix. Lancaster departed French giants Racing 92 in February and has since revealed he was in contention to become head coach of Australia before missing out to Queensland Reds boss Les Kiss. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free It also appears Glasgow boss Smith remains in the frame for the job, while RugbyPass recently linked former England prop Graham Rowntree with the role following his exit from Munster. The feeling is some of the coaches who Sherratt has taken to Japan will be contenders to be part of a new long-term coaching team. Danny Wilson (forwards) and Adam Jones (scrum) join on secondment in the summer but both are contenders for long-term roles with the WRU, while there have been suggestions Sherratt could stay on as attack coach, especially if Tandy gets the main job. While the WRU are wise not to rush into an appointment there does need to be a sense of urgency. Welsh rugby is on the floor after a record 17 defeats in a row for the men's national side, while things have also blown up off the field with two clubs - Ospreys and Scarlets - refusing to sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement. The permanent head coach needs to be in place not only to start preparing for next season but also to run the rule over the pathway and to start building relationships with the professional clubs. The future of the professional game in Wales is uncertain and that is likely to be a hindrance with regard to attracting high-quality candidates. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Article continues below As Welsh rugby faces one of the most challenging periods in its modern history, the appointment of a permanent head coach is no longer just a matter of sporting strategy — it is a crucial step toward restoring stability, credibility and hope. With the professional landscape in flux and the national team in dire need of direction, the WRU must strike the right balance between patience and purpose. Whoever takes the reins will inherit more than a team — they will shoulder the responsibility of reigniting belief across a fractured rugby nation.
Wales Online
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Three new Welsh-qualified players 'good enough' to play for Wales emerge at English club
Three new Welsh-qualified players 'good enough' to play for Wales emerge at English club There are three Welsh qualified players at Bristol Bears worth keeping a close eye on Bristol Bears wing Jack Bates is Welsh qualified (Image: Getty Images ) Pat Lam has backed three Welsh qualified players at Bristol Bears to successfully make the step up to Test rugby if called upon. One of those is former England U20s wing Jack Bates who qualifies for Wales courtesy of his grandmother who hails from Cardiff. Bates has been in electric form for Bristol this season scoring five tries, including a sensational individual score at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre in La Rochelle. Warren Gatland's successor will undoubtedly look to increase the strength in depth in Welsh rugby and Bates is somebody who should be considered. Lam also rates Welsh qualified centres James Williams and Joe Jenkins very highly. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "Put it like this, they have the ability to go to the next level is probably what I'll say," Lam told WalesOnline's Welsh Rugby Podcast, which you can listen to here. "Jack's journey has been an interesting one because he's an athlete but his one was about his confidence and his ability to communicate really well. That's what he's been working on and he just took off this year. Article continues below "He's strong and fast. The main thing is around him looking after his body because he picks up niggles now and again. "But he has the ability to go to the next level. It's more around his belief than his ability." Wales aren't short of talent in midfield with the likes of Max Llewellyn, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Mason Grady and Keiran Williams, among others. But powerful Bristol centre Williams is the glue of the Bears midfield and the 28-year-old is one of the unsung heroes of Lam's team. "There's probably more talented players, without a doubt, but one thing I'll back Jimmy on is he will compete and fight for everything," Lam told WalesOnline. "He's probably like the Roy Keane of our team attitude wise. He won't give in and he'll fight for everything. "My twelves are really important. They need to be able to play 10, drive the game and have second eyes. "He's another reject who was playing in the Championship. He was at Sale but got let go there and went to Hartpury. "I saw him when we played them in pre-season and I thought who is this guy? They almost beat us and he was the one driving it. "But I watched him closely and the way he controlled everything, so I offered him a contract. He's taken that opportunity very well." Jenkins is a player worth getting excited about with the 21-year-old highly rated by the Bristol management and is also being closely monitored by the WRU. Despite being born in Halifax, Jenkins is eligible to wear the red of Wales thanks to his father's Llanharan roots. The young talent, nurtured at Monmouth School, vied for a spot with the Dragons U16s and, though initially unsuccessful, was scooped up by Bristol's keen eye for potential. Jenkins etched his name in Bristol Bears history when he became their youngest ever starter in the Gallagher Premiership, facing off against Saracens in November 2022 aged just 18. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Back in February 2023 former Wales U20s head coach Byron Hayward claimed Jenkins' goal was to represent the country of his father at senior international level. "I spoke to Joe's dad back in November because he is definitely a player we are interested in," revealed Hayward back in February 2023. "He's Welsh-qualified. He said Joe felt obligated to England because he'd come through their U18s programme, and they had rehabbed him through a knee injury which is totally explainable. I understand and quite admire his loyalty." "He is 100% Welsh and assured me that Joe wants to play for Wales at senior level and sees himself as a Welshman. However, at this moment in time he felt a loyalty to England because they've looked after him." And Jenkins' club coach Lam believes the powerful centre has heaps of potential. "Joe is a big man," Lam told WalesOnline. "You look at Max Llewellyn and Mason Grady, they breed big centres. "Joe is another one. When I arrived here he was coming off the U18s but he had a serious knee injury. "I looked out of my office and I kept seeing this kid doing his rehab by himself with the trainers and medical team. I thought jeez this is tough but this is going to bring the best out of him. "He's a tough character as well. The big thing around him is learning the game as best as he can. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "Centres don't really mature to the best centres until past 25. He's on his way as far as his development is concerned but he can certainly hit someone too in the tackle. "He's a physical lad. It's just about him being a leader and an influencer driving the game as well. Article continues below "That's going to take a bit of time too."
Wales Online
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Pat Lam reveals WRU contact and admits he still wants to coach Wales one day
Pat Lam reveals WRU contact and admits he still wants to coach Wales one day The Bristol Bears coach has been linked with the Wales job since Warren Gatland left mid-Six Nations Pat Lam speaks to the Welsh Rugby podcast Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam says he has only been approached by the Welsh Rugby Union to check his availability as he admitted he would consider the opportunity, despite his commitment to the title-chasing Gallagher Premiership club. Lam, who has previously won a Pro12 title with Connacht and is now chasing similar honours with Bristol, has previously spoken about how he would love to coach Wales. At one point in the current search for Warren Gatland's replacement, the former Samoa international was favourite for the job - with his name still mentioned amongst the leading contenders. However, Lam revealed to WalesOnline on the Welsh Rugby Podcast, which you can listen to here, that the contact he has had with the WRU was to check his availability. "There was a check around my availability," said Lam. "That was all. "Do I want to coach at international level? Yeah. But at the moment, I've got three more years here and I'm committed to Bristol. "But I have said before and it's on record that I love everything about Welsh rugby. If the timing was available, of course you'd look at it." Given his previous comments about the Wales job, there has perhaps been a sense of inevitability that, someday, Lam will coach the national team. However, the man himself knows that there might not be a job to take in three years time. "You never know," he said. "I never planned at being at being at Bristol or Connacht. "That's the thing about coaching. You can have these big plans, but you never know what's around the corner. "It's about the here and now. That's why I said my main thing is about helping Bristol achieve a dream." As for the quote, offered up to the BBC back in 2020 when he claimed he "would love to coach the Welsh rugby team," his feeling remain the same - even if now doesn't appear to be the right time. "It's exactly the way I feel," he added. "Nothing's changed in that sense. "But I committed my time here at Bristol. We've got a job here. They've never won the Premiership. "We've got eight weeks to try and be the first team to ever do that. I had a lot of pride with Connacht, being the first team to do that. "We've had to make so many changes, arriving at a club that were languishing in the Premiership for 10-odd years. We haven't gone anywhere near the bottom. "But we need to win a trophy. We won the Challenge Cup a few years ago. We had a good chance to win the league a few years ago, but we blew the semi-final. But for the club to take the next step, we need to win the Premiership." Fourth-placed Bears have seen their hopes of a maiden title take a knock in recent weeks. Heavy defeats have dented their hopes of a home semi-final, although a clash with league leaders Bathl in Cardiff at the Principality Stadium on May 10 provides them with the perfect opportunity to get their title bid back on track. Lam once again spoke about his admiration for Welsh rugby on the Welsh Rugby Podcast, outlining that the game in this country still possesses enough talent, but more alignment is required. "I've always said there's a lot of talent in Welsh rugby," he said. "I've always admired that about Welsh rugby. "I grew up on Welsh rugby in New Zealand. Coming through, watching the glory days of Phil Bennett and JPR Williams. All these players were household names back in New Zealand. "I believe the talent is definitely there. It's how they nurture it and bring it through. I know they've been going through some tough times, but it's the responsibility of everyone to make sure there's some clarity and alignment on how you bring that talent through. "Even coaching Bristol, we're trying to align. We don't have any teams below us in the Championship, but trying to align that pathway for the guys to come through. "When I was with coaching Connacht, the alignment with Joe Schmidt who was coaching, everything was geared and aligned with the four provinces. I'd ask Joe, Les Kiss and Andy Farrell to come in and present to the players about what they need to do to play for Ireland. "The key message was you need to play well for Connacht first. We had no players playing for Ireland at that stage. When I left, we had six. 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 "That's an example of alignment. From top down, everything is geared to make sure the national team is successful, but more importantly, everything from the top is making sure the regions (are successful). For me, you align all your S&C, medical departments, everything. "It's about the players coming through knowing that if they don't play well for Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys or Scarlets, you aren't going to be playing for Wales. And then the same through the pathway, making sure that's all joined up and you don't miss any talent there. "Of course, talent's going to go overseas and stuff, but track it and make sure it's all geared to getting it back. I thought the U20s did well in the Six Nations and I'm pretty confident they'll do well in the Junior World Cup. But now you've got to make that group is tracked well and given a lot of support. "When you're in this situation and the only way is up, it sounds like there's a lot of movement to make those changes and harness that talent. The biggest thing is teams that win don't necessarily have the best individuals, but the best team. Article continues below "The best teams have good culture, good leadership, good players and a real clear gameplan. If you structure all that and use it to your strength, you can compete. When better players start to come through, it still comes back to you game, culture and leadership. "I'm pretty confident we'll see Wales come back again."
