The three full-time coaches will be responsible for delivering specialist technical coaching to every level of the pathway with Horsman focussing on the scrum.
Horsman, who has been RGC 1404 head coach for the last three years, taking them into the national leagues, winning SWALEC League One East at the first time of trying and earning promotion to the SWALEC Championship, will leave the north Wales development region after this weekend’s home match against Bridgend Athletic and will take up the new role later this month. The other international skills coaches, will be announced in the coming weeks.
The coaches will work closely with Warren Gatland’s senior national coaches to shape the national skills curriculum, which they will then deliver to all national academy and international pathway players on a regular basis. They will also have specific responsibility for the international pathway teams (Wales Under 20, Under 18, Sevens and Women) focussing especially on developing highly skilled players and will work with school-club hub officers to ensure a coordinated playing and coaching philosophy from national squad through to grassroots rugby.
With Horsman leaving Parc Eirias, former Blues, Cardiff, Scarlets, Leeds and Wales Under 20 head coach Phil Davies has joined RGC 1404 on a short-term, consultancy basis until the end of the season, with an emphasis on helping to develop young coaches and players at the region.
WRU Head of Rugby Josh Lewsey said, “Developing and honing core skills and game understanding will be a key focus for Chris and the other international skills coaches. It is incumbent on us to provide senior Welsh rugby with as many well rounded, bright and complete rugby players as possible and allocating specific resource at this level clearly supports that emphasis.
“What’s more, in appointing individuals who performed at the highest level to fill these roles hopefully we are regenerat those with huge experience back into the system and also providing a method by which we nurture the next generation of professional Welsh coaches.”
Chris Horsman said, “I feel very privileged to have been part of RGC’s journey over the last three years. There’s still a way to go but from my first training session when there were just seven players present, we have all made great strides in winning SWALEC League One and competing in the Championship with a host of very young players.
“To that extent, I feel my experience at RGC has helped me to prepare for this exciting new challenge as we have had to prepare young players holistically for senior club rugby, making sure they have all the skills they will need at that higher level.
“I’m delighted about the new opportunity because it will give me the chance to develop the skills of talented young players on a full-time basis. On a personal level, I will be working with and learning from our fantastic national coaches and my challenge is to be the link between international rugby and the community game via the school-club hubs. Perhaps my experience as an international player gives me the knowledge of what it takes to make it at that level, but it’s not about me anymore, it’s all about how I can help others to achieve that.”
Rupert Moon, General Manager, North Wales Development Region added, “At RGC, we are very grateful for the way Chris has led the team from the front, forming a special bond with his players and North Wales rugby. When we look back, Chris has positively influenced the style and evolution of our development region of which he can be rightly proud. It is a fantastic achievement for him to have secured this significant new role and for the short term future, we look forward to Phil Davies providing us with his vast experience and expertise to help further develop our young coaches and players.”
