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Women's Senior Assistant Coach - Forwards
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU)
Governing body for the national sport of Wales. Leading Welsh rugby to the forefront of the global game in performance and reputation. Developing grass-roots rugby, increasing participation, supporting clubs and bringing communities together.
Job Posted- 6 May 2026
Status- Contract - Fixed Term
Location- Wales
Closing date- 19 May 2026
Assessment for this role will be a multi-stage process with interviews expected to take place in the week commencing 25th May.
As part of our ambition to return Welsh Rugby to the top of the international game, we are committed to building a clear, aligned Welsh Rugby DNA across the women’s game. This will be underpinned by innovative and effective pathways and processes that consistently produce more and better players for the professional and international environments.
A key element of this strategy is the development of a world-class forwards identity for the Women’s Senior Team — establishing excellence in scrum, lineout and contact that underpins winning performance. To support this, we are investing in high-quality coaching roles that will play a central part in shaping and delivering this vision.
What you’ll do
● Lead the development and implementation of the forwards philosophy across scrum, lineout and contact
● Design and deliver clear systems and technical frameworks for set-piece and contact performance
● Deliver outstanding on and off-field coaching to maximise player understanding, engagement and performance
● Support squad selection, planning and campaign delivery aligned to the Welsh Rugby DNA
● Contribute to a high-performance environment and culture that drives sustained success
● Build strong relationships with clubs and pathway programmes to ensure alignment and player development
What you’ll bring
● Deep technical expertise in forwards play including set-piece and contact
● Proven experience coaching in elite rugby environments
● Strong track record of player and unit development
● Ability to collaborate and influence across multidisciplinary teams
● Level 3 Coaching Licence (or equivalent)
● A growth mindset and commitment to continuous professional development
If this sounds like you, we’d like to hear from you.
Job Description
Location: WRU National Centre of Excellence
Hours of work: This role is a full time role (35 hours per week) on a fixed term contract
The role will be required to travel both in the UK and abroad and work weekends and evenings to support the elite performance programme of events
Responsible to Head Coach – Women's Senior National Team
Strategic Alignment
Our ambitions are to take Welsh Rugby back to the top; the Women’s senior team to consistently rank in the Top 5 in the world and compete for honours annually in the Six Nations and the later stages of Rugby World Cups / WXV. We want to develop an aligned Welsh rugby DNA with innovative, effective pathways and processes that provide more and better players for the professional and international game.
Role Purpose
To support the Head Coach in achieving the ambitions for the Women’s senior team by providing technical, tactical and strategic rugby expertise. Furthermore, to assist in the alignment of internal teams and external clubs and pathways through close and influential relationships.
Key Relationships
● Head Coach – Women’s Senior National Team
● Director of Rugby and Elite Performance
● National and Pathway Coaches
● Celtic Challenge / PWR Coaching teams
● Performance Support Teams
Key Responsibilities, Tasks and Activities
The development of a clear and comprehensive scrum, lineout and contact philosophy for the women’s senior team and the wider pathways which aligns to the overall game model defined by the head coach and supports winning performance. Specifically:
The development of a clear scrum and lineout style, principles, systems and game solutions including:
o Technical and tactical development of movement, lifting, jumping and maul build
o Throwing development (in coordination of throwing coach if used)
o Deliveries in off the top, maul, breakout and in strike plays (in coordination with the Attack coach)
o Strike attack, defence, (linking to overall game model)
o Exits and transition (linking with the attack and defence coaches)
o Development of an attacking lineout options (in coordination with the Attack coach)
o The development of a clear and detailed scrum style along with principles, technical details, systems and game solutions including
o Scrum system and technical requirements
o Individual positional profiles and technical requirements
o Technical development and decision-making including collaboration with the wider multi-disciplinary team (including medical, S&C, psychology, match officials) to maximise effectiveness of practice and training design
o Analysis and incorporation of current referee trends and interpretation as they apply to the scrum
o The development of clear contact style, principles, systems and game solutions including
o Understanding of attack shape and principles in relation to contact
o Technical and decision making development of ball presentation, carry, close quarter and contact skills (in coordination with attack coach)
o Awareness and development of different breakdown situations including exit, slow, quick, line-break, catching high ball, (in coordination with attack and kicking coaches)
o Goal line attack contact philosophy (coordinating with game model and attack coach)
o Development of a clear language for the Scrum, Lineout and contact philosophies which align to the overall game model and Welsh Rugby DNA
● Outstanding delivery of on and off-field coaching and learning using a variety of styles to meet the diverse needs of players and maximise player engagement, understanding and ownership of the attacking game model
● Support the Head Coach in the development of a clear and compelling vision and ‘what it takes to win’ model for the Women’s senior team in alignment with the wider Welsh rugby DNA
● Co-creation of an outstanding performance, and development environment and culture for players and staff both in and out of ‘camp’ to maximise the probability of success.
● Support the selection of Women’s senior team squads in alignment with the Welsh DNA and the overall goals of the organisation
● Participate in the development of excellent and detailed operational plans for cycles, seasons, campaigns and events (training camps, matches and tournaments)
● Create and deliver comprehensive session, week, campaign and season review information and material as part of the wider ‘Plan-Do-Review-Evolve’ philosophy of progressive development
● Collaborate and provide support to the multidisciplinary support team for the women’s senior team, ensuring alignment and collaboration with the wider support team across the WRU
● Develop and maintain strong, positive relationships with Welsh professional clubs and others who employ Welsh qualified players to ensure an aligned approach to selection and development of talent.
● Support the creation and maintenance of exceptional individual development plans for Women’s senior international players in alignment with the Welsh DNA and in collaboration with regional professional clubs
● Provide appropriate and visible engagement in coaching, selection and development activities for the Welsh international player pathway to ensure alignment of selection and development decisions
● Provide support to WRU coach development activities on an agreed number of occasions per year
● Maintain excellent levels of personal development to ensure knowledge and practice remains at the highest possible level to support role and team objectives
● Act as an exemplary role model for Welsh age grade coaches in coaching and leadership practice and behaviours
● Act as an outstanding ambassador for the WRU and the game in Wales, representing the team in media and communications and work with intelligence and strategic awareness
● Participation in marketing and sponsorship activities according to the needs of the WRU and partners
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential:
● Level 3 Rugby coaching licence or recognised equivalent (ongoing annual completion of WRU Coach recognition programme)
● Demonstrable Defence coaching experience in club and or international rugby, with a strong track record of success.
● Exceptional on and off field delivery using a variety of methods and approaches
● Experience of identifying, managing and developing talent with a strong affinity for the development of young players
● Demonstrable experience of contributing to a high performing, positive team culture and environment
● An understanding of the value of detailed planning for performance to achieve short, medium and long-term objectives
● A growth mindset and strong evidence of continued professional development
● Experience in the use of data and measurement processes to inform and accelerate the coaching process
● Evidence of good links and/or the ability to develop good relationships with club staff and key stakeholders
● Understanding and belief in the concept of a long-term developmental DNA for Welsh Rugby
● Highly resilient and comfortable in a high-profile role with intense public scrutiny
● A commitment to live in Wales and be present and engaged in all aspects of the role in a full-time capacity
● Proficient in basic technology to enable self-sufficient coaching and analysis
Desirable:
● Sports related or business undergraduate degree
● Elite playing experience
● Connection to or knowledge of the Welsh rugby system
● Welsh language speaker
Core Behaviours
● Collaborative Teamwork – Works cooperatively and inclusively with others ensuring participation within teams and across different divisions to support the achievement of the team and WRU objectives
● Builds Relationships - Initiates, develops, maintains and leverages outstanding relationships with a wide network of players, colleagues and external stakeholders for the benefit of all parties
● Influential Communication – Persuasively engages with and motivates others to gain support and ‘buy in’ for ideas and behave in a way which benefits the performance of the WRU and Team
● Excellence and Quality – Seeks excellence in every area, sets and completes work to high standards and continually looks for ways of improving performance and references for elevating standards
● Creating Solutions – Curious and outward facing, constantly researching challenges and identifies various options and looks at issues from a variety of perspectives before determining the best solution and making a decision
● Inspiring Others to Succeed – Has a clear understanding and belief of own and others’ capability to succeed and coaches self and others to accelerate and improve their capability and confidence for the benefit of team
● Performing under pressure - Maintains performance under pressure, copes with adversity and adapts to the environment
WRU Requirements
The WRU require that individuals are proficient in IT skills, specifically Microsoft packages. Excellent written and verbal communications are essential, along with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh and a Valid UK Driver's License is desirable. This role is subject to a basic/enhanced DBS check.
The Perks
As a member of the WRU Group, you will have access to our full range of employee benefits, including:
- Salary Sacrifice Pension (5% employee contribution, matched by WRU)
- Life assurance scheme
- WRU Group Ticket Allocation (in line with ticketing policy)
- One additional paid day off (birthday leave)
- Employee assistance programme
- Team Tactics – hybrid working arrangements
- Free stadium parking and gym
- WRU Group store and tour discounts
- WRU Group partnership offers
- Eye Care Voucher Scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
How to Apply
Please click “Apply Now” to begin your application.