While much of the focus has understandably been on who will succeed Warren Gatland as head coach of the Welsh rugby team, it’s the vacant Director of Rugby (DoR) position that could prove to be just as, if not more, important for the future of Welsh rugby.
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is looking to appoint a new DOR by the end of March, and the significance of getting this decision right cannot be overstated. This role will carry the responsibility of overseeing and leading all elite and professional rugby in Wales, including collaborating with the head coaches of both the men’s and women’s national teams to ensure their success. Additionally, the DOR will be tasked with developing a sustainable strategy for the four professional clubs—Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, and Scarlets.
Here are seven names that would be worth looking at:
Stuart Lancaster
The 55-year-old is best remembered in these parts as the head coach of the England team which Wales helped knock out of their own Rugby World Cup at the pool stage in 2015. But Lancaster's reputation shot up again during his time as a senior coach at Leinster.
Lancaster’s extensive experience, particularly in developing young talent within England’s pathways, makes him a prime candidate. At 55, he may be better suited to a DoR role than a head coach position, and his expertise in overseeing long-term development projects could be a good fit for Wales.
He is currently out of work after getting sacked by French giants Racing 92 and has been heavily linked with a move to Leicester Tigers to replace outgoing head coach Michael Cheika.
Conor O'Shea
The Irishman has a very polished CV and would be an outstanding appointment as the WRU's new DoR. O'Shea has been successful as a head coach but has arguably had a greater impact in more strategic roles.
While head coach of Italy O'Shea is credited for putting some strong systems in place which brought through a higher standard of Italian player. He was also previously in charge of the Rugby Football Union's academy programme, while he has tasted success as a coach with London Irish and Harlequins.
O'Shea is currently executive director of performance rugby at the RFU and "is responsible for the leadership, management and strategic direction of professional rugby in England." If he were to jump ship to Wales he would be taking on an almost identical role but it would surely be a big leap to go from the well-resourced English system to the WRU which is rebuilding.
But O'Shea could be a perfect fit for Wales and the right man to put the correct systems in place to get Welsh rugby back on track.
Guy Easterby
Leinster's head of rugby operations is the brother of interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby who is also viewed as a contender to replace Warren Gatland with Wales. His older brother Guy is also well acquainted with Welsh rugby having played for both Ebbw Vale and Llanelli in a career which resulted in the scrum-half winning 28 caps for Ireland.
Easterby has played a significant role in Leinster becoming one of the biggest forces in northern hemisphere club rugby. The 53-year-old will undoubtedly have a thorough knowledge of Welsh rugby and crucially will have worked closely with former Ireland Rugby Football Union performance director David Nucifora.
Upon hanging up his playing boots Easterby became Leinster's team manager before spending nine years as head of rugby operations and then getting appointed chief operating officer. As a proven leader in one of the world’s best rugby environments, Easterby’s experience could offer Welsh rugby a fresh perspective.
Dai Young
A well-known figure in Welsh rugby, Dai Young has an impressive track record with Cardiff and Wasps. Although Young has been away from the professional game since leaving Cardiff in 2023, his experience in developing players and leading teams through change is invaluable.
The 57-year-old is no stranger to Welsh rugby’s inner workings and could be instrumental in driving the reform needed to revitalise the professional game in Wales. Young played an integral part in Welsh rugby when its academy system was as good as anywhere in the world and is somebody who sets very high standards.
He could also be useful in providing much needed support to the next head coach.
Huw Bevan
For those seeking continuity, Huw Bevan could be the ideal candidate. Currently the WRU’s interim performance director, Bevan has a strong background in strength and conditioning and has worked across a range of high-performance roles, including at the Dragons and USA Rugby.
Bevan has played a pivotal role in the creation of the WRU’s One Wales strategy and the new Professional Rugby Agreement. His deep involvement in Welsh rugby’s current restructuring makes him a strong internal candidate for the DOR position.
Simon Raiwalui
A former Fiji head coach with a personal connection to Welsh rugby, Simon Raiwalui could be a dark horse for the DoR role. Having spent time at Newport before the inception of regional rugby, Raiwalui understands the Welsh game well.
With a successful career running high-performance teams, including his current role as director of performance with the New South Wales Waratahs, Raiwalui’s expertise in developing players and performance pathways could prove invaluable for the WRU.
Leigh Jones
Currently the rugby performance director at the Scarlets, Jones has made a significant impact on the west Wales side. The 65-year-old’s extensive experience includes stints with Leicester Tigers, where he helped the club win the Premiership in 2022, and with Hong Kong rugby, where he guided the team to its highest-ever world ranking.
Jones has also been involved with Japan’s 2015 World Cup team, famously assisting Eddie Jones in their historic win over South Africa. With a career dedicated to developing both players and coaches, Jones offers a wealth of knowledge to Welsh rugby.
