**New WRU Director Dave Reddin Discusses Recruitment of Wales’ Next Head Coach and the Value of Experience from Former Players**
The Welsh Rugby Union’s new director of rugby and elite performance, Dave Reddin, has spoken candidly about his early involvement in the search for Wales’ next head coach and opened the door to drawing on the wisdom of past internationals such as Dan Biggar. Despite not officially starting in the post until September, Reddin is already assuming a prominent role after Warren Gatland left his coaching position during the most recent Six Nations campaign.
Reddin, who previously played a significant role as performance director at the Football Association, joined Biggar on the *A Load of BS on Sport* podcast. During the wide-ranging discussion, he explained his approach to sourcing Gatland’s successor and set out his expectations for the new leader of Welsh rugby.
He emphasised that the head coach position would be shaped in a new way and suggested his style would prioritise both support and challenge—tailored to the needs of the individual in the role. “It’s about providing vision so the coach knows where the Union is heading, while offering support and the right degree of challenge at the right moments,” Reddin remarked. He was keen to highlight that the head coach would be more than a figurehead; instead, the role would be integral to developing the whole Welsh rugby pathway.
In relation to the appointment process, Reddin spoke of the groundwork already laid by the WRU, but indicated that he had started to incorporate his own criteria, focusing on behaviour, competencies, and values. He was realistic about the complexity involved in finding an ideal candidate: “There’s never a perfect fit, you have to balance who’s available with who embodies those key traits you want in the organisation.”
For Reddin, a deep understanding of and commitment to player development is paramount. He outlined his preference for a coach who is driven to nurture young talent and eager to innovate in pursuit of progress, rather than settling for incremental improvements. “A curious, open-minded coach willing to help orchestrate a system rather than putting all focus on the senior team is ideal,” he said. He views collaboration within and beyond the WRU as essential, with close ties between the national team and the regional outfits key to Wales’ long-term rugby health.
Drawing on his experience aiding FA coach recruitment after England’s disappointment at Euro 2016, Reddin spoke about the need for belief within a squad to be rooted in tangible achievement. “Belief stems from actions and facts, not just motivational slogans,” he argued, noting the importance of measuring success through clear markers—whether statistics, fitness, or recent victories. In his view, consistent, quality training and the accumulation of small successes are the building blocks for confidence, an area Wales will need to address given their long winless run.
Biggar, who is familiar with the ups and downs of international rugby, agreed with these sentiments during their conversation. Notably, the podcast discussion turned to the possibility of involving former players in advisory capacities. The notion of a panel or informal network of past internationals able to provide guidance to current players and the board has support both inside and outside the WRU, especially as the national side seeks a fresh sense of belief and direction.
However, Reddin was clear that he does not intend to dwell on past glories or foist nostalgia onto the present squad. Instead, he envisions more nuanced exchanges—sharing small insights gleaned from hard-earned experience that are not always found in coaching manuals. “The real value is in those subtle pieces of advice that come from having been there and done it, rather than imposing the past on the present,” Reddin clarified.
He stressed that for this knowledge-sharing to be successful, the new coach must be open and unthreatened by the presence of high-profile former players. The aim, he believes, is not to overshadow current management but to offer another source of support, if and when required.
With names such as Steve Tandy circulating as favourites for the coaching role, and with Reddin poised to shape not just the appointment but also the environment for Welsh rugby’s next era, there is a genuine sense of anticipation. As the WRU charts a new course, balancing tradition with innovation and drawing on all available expertise, the rugby community will be watching for signs that a revival is on the horizon.
Biggar’s parting joke on the podcast, suggesting he was available for a role, captured the spirit of collaboration that Reddin hopes to foster: “I know where you live and I will be calling, so don’t worry,” came the good-natured reply, hinting that the doors to the WRU’s inner sanctum may be opened wider than ever before in the months ahead.