Byron Hayward will head up next season’s Wales Under 20 coaching team, assisted by defence coach Richard Hodges and forwards coach Ioan Cunningham who returns from the Wales Under 18 set-up, with Mark Taylor remaining as team manager.
Danny Wilson has completed his two year contract as head coach of the side, and is now able to fully commit to his full-time job as Scarlets forwards coach.
Gethin Watts, WRU National Performance manager believes the appointment of this team creates an important element of stability of environment and culture created in the last two years, something that is key to the developing top class players of the future.
“We are thrilled that Byron has agreed to take on the role of head coach from Danny Wilson. Byron is a former international player and a proven professional coach. He coached Ebbw Vale before moving to Sale Sharks and for the past two years he has been a WRU academy skills coach working with the best young players in the Dragons region and as Wales Under 20 attack coach, he formed a successful partnership with Danny Wilson, and this season Richard Hodges.
“Mark Taylor is a pivotal member of the management team and has a proven track record as an international player, and now manager, while Richard Hodges and Ioan Cunningham have both had a season as Wales Under 20 assistant coach and will add their own experience and expertise in completing the team.
“We would like to thank Danny for his excellent coaching and leadership for Wales Under 20 over the past two years and also acknowledge the Scarlets, and previously the Dragons for their support in allowing him to fulfil the role in such a committed way. There is a huge amount of good work and cooperation between the WRU and the Regions, especially in developing young players and coaches which is clearly beneficial for both parties.”
Byron Hayward said, “I’m excited by this new challenge. Clearly it will be a step up from assisting Danny, but I’m confident in my ability to do just that. Danny and I started with the Wales Under 20 set-up at the same time so the transition should be fairly smooth. I’ve learned a huge amount from working with Danny, especially in the way he set an example to the players and created an optimum culture and environment for the squad. I’ve also gained a great deal from the other head coaches I’ve worked under and if I didn’t feel I could step up to the plate, I certainly wouldn’t have put myself forward.
“It’s certainly a big pair of boots to fill, on the back of reaching the Junior World Championship final, but pressure comes with success and that’s what you thrive on as a coach. I don’t see any reason we can’t reach the last four again next year if we keep working hard with the new group of players and if we do that, anything can happen as we saw in France – and South Africa last season.”
Danny Wilson, who steered Wales Under 20 to a first victory over New Zealand last season and their first Junior World Championship final place last month after beating South Africa in the semis said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed the past two years. It has been great for my personal development as a coach – the experience has certainly put me on the next step of the coaching ladder – and I’ve worked with some very good future Welsh internationals.
“I would like to thank Joe Lydon for giving me the opportunity, all the Under 20 staff who were brilliant to work with and also the Scarlets who have been extremely supportive. I’m pleased that I can now return that faith by committing fully to my regional role.
“In my opinion, Byron Hayward is an excellent choice to continue the work we started together and under his stewardship, the Wales Under 20s are in safe hands.”
Outside of the Wales Under management team, there is ongoing succession planning in order to help players and coaches fulfil their potential. WRU national academy coaching manager and Wales Under 18 head coach Allan Lewis is taking a side to South Africa again next month, to play France, England and host South Africa in a tournament that many of this season’s Junior World Championship squad cited as having prepared them well for the Under 20 season.
Lewis also recently travelled to Japan with Robin McBryde’s Wales squad in a further example of the WRU’s joined up strategy to ensure the players and coaches are all moving in the same direction for the good of the Welsh international game.
Along with other National Academy initiatives, Watts believes the WRU development pathway is beginning to fulfil its potential.
“The relationships and working practices between the international age grade programmes and the national squad are closer than ever and with no fewer than ten Lions players having come through our academy system in the last ten years – six of whom have played for our international age grade sides since 2008 so we certainly have a good platform to build on.”
Wales Under 20 coaching team
Head coach: Byron Hayward
Assistant coach (defence): Richard Hodges
Forward coach: Ioan Cunningham
Team manager: Mark Taylor
