What Are Dave Reddin’s Immediate Priorities as the New Director of Rugby

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Dave Reddin’s immediate priorities as the new director of rugby for the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) focus on stabilizing and revitalizing Welsh rugby at a crucial low point. His first and most urgent task is to appoint a new head coach for the senior men’s team, following the departure of Warren Gatland during the Six Nations. Steve Tandy is currently the leading candidate for this role.

Reddin’s role encompasses responsibility for all men’s and women’s national teams and their development pathways. He will work closely with the professional clubs to implement the WRU’s recently published ‘One Wales’ strategy, aiming to build a sustainable, high-performance system that delivers long-term success.

A key challenge he faces is addressing the deep-rooted structural and cultural issues within Welsh rugby, which have contributed to a 15-year struggle marked by a lack of alignment between the professional clubs, the national team, and the development pathways. Unlike Ireland, where the rugby provinces are owned by the national union, Welsh professional clubs are mostly private businesses, complicating efforts to enforce unified strategies. Reddin must navigate these complexities, especially as the WRU and clubs finalize a new Professional Rugby Agreement to improve cooperation and funding.

Strengthening the professional clubs is another priority. Many clubs are underfunded and unable to compete at the highest levels in the United Rugby Championship and European competitions. Reddin understands that developing world-class players and a winning culture at club level is essential for national team success.

Reddin brings over 30 years of elite sports experience, including working with England Rugby during their 2003 World Cup win, the British & Irish Lions, Team GB at the 2012 Olympics, and the Football Association. He is known for driving high standards, focusing on culture as a competitive advantage, and implementing practical strategies for performance improvement.

In summary, Dave Reddin’s immediate priorities are:

Recruiting a new head coach for the Welsh men’s national team to end a record 17-match losing streak and prepare for upcoming international fixtures.

Immersing himself in Welsh rugby culture to understand its unique challenges and build positive change.

Implementing the ‘One Wales’ strategy by aligning the national teams, development pathways, and professional clubs under a cohesive high-performance system.

Strengthening professional clubs to raise their competitiveness and create a strong player development environment.

Navigating the complex relationship between the WRU and privately owned clubs to foster cooperation and sustainable funding.

Reddin’s appointment is seen as a pivotal moment for Welsh rugby, with high hopes that his expertise and fresh perspective will help turn around the fortunes of both the men’s and women’s teams and restore pride in Welsh rugby