Men’s Senior Specialist Coach - Scrum in Cardiff

Overview

WRU National Centre of Excellence/ Full-time/Fixed-term

Salary: Competitive

Closing Date: 5th May 2026

Assessment for this role will be a multi-stage process with interviews currently expected to be in the week commencing 25th May 2026.

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. This will be underpinned by innovative and effective pathways and processes that consistently produce more and better players for both the professional and international environments.

A key element of this strategy is the opportunity to define and deliver distinct scrum skills identity for the Welsh Men’s Senior Team, while also influencing and enhancing player development across our elite clubs. To support this, we are making additional targeted investment into the game, strengthening our performance function through the creation of new roles that will play a central part in shaping and delivering this vision.

What you’ll do

• Lead the national scrum philosophy
• Deliver elite-level scrum coaching
• Develop players across national and club environments
• Contribute to selection, planning, and performance

What you’ll bring

• Deep technical knowledge of the scrum and individual positions within it
• Extensive coaching experience in elite rugby environments
• Strong track record in developing elite scrum performance and performers
• Ability to influence across teams
• Level 3 Coaching Licence (or equivalent)

If this sounds like you, we’d like to hear from you.

Job Description

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

Men's Senior Team Assistant Coach (Forwards & Contact)

Strategic Alignment

Our ambitions are to take Welsh Rugby back to the top; the Men’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. To support this, we want consistently competitive clubs that challenge in the play-offs of their competitions. To support both goals, 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 men’s senior team by providing specialist 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 with Welsh professional clubs.

Key Relationships

• Head Coach – Men’s Senior National Team
• Director of Rugby and Elite Performance
• Technical Director
• National and Pathway Coaches
• Professional Club Coaching teams
• Performance Support Teams

Key Responsibilities, Tasks and Activities

The development of a clear and comprehensive scrum philosophy for the men’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 and detailed scrum style along with principles, technical details, systems and game solutions including scrum system and technical requirements.
• Individual positional profiles and technical requirements.
• 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.
• Analysis and incorporation of current referee trends and interpretation as they apply to the scrum.
• Development of a comprehensive and detailed scrum DNA which is derived from a clear, evidenced based understanding of ‘What it takes to win’ in scrummaging terms.
• A clear language and terminology for the scrum philosophy which aligns to the overall game model and Welsh Rugby DNA.
• The development of a comprehensive curriculum of development of scrummaging in collaboration with other pathway coaches.
• Development and support of programmes of research and development which seek to create more detailed understanding of scrum technical and tactical details to create a competitive advantage for Welsh scrummaging.
• 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 men’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 men’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 men’s senior team, ensuring alignment and collaboration with the wider support team across the WRU.
• Actively coach identified players at professional clubs both inside and outside Wales and inside and outside campaign windows to ensure their development and progression to world class standards through the development of strong, positive relationships with Welsh professional clubs and others who employ Welsh qualified players.
• Support the creation and maintenance of exceptional individual development plans for Men’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.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Essential Level 3 Rugby coaching licence or recognised equivalent (ongoing annual completion of WRU Coach recognition programme).
• Demonstrable scrum 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.
• 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

Our Values

The WRU Group are committed to developing a culture whereby all employees are equally valued and respected. Our aims, together with our vision and mission, are underpinned by our core values and beliefs which embrace: Integrity, Excellence, Success, Courage, Family & Humour.

Inclusion At The WRU

The WRU Group are committed to building diverse, high-performing and engaged teams across Welsh Rugby. We are ambitious about providing a people first culture where everyone can belong, be heard and respected. We are happy to talk to you about our Crys I Bawb EDI Strategy (2024-2029) and you can also read more about our commitment in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Diversity monitoring

We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. To continue to do this we need your help in filling out a short monitoring form. None of the information you provide will be visible as part of your application. It will only be used anonymously to monitor the inclusivity of our selection processes. You can select 'prefer not to say’ if you would rather not answer any question.

How to Apply

Please click APPLY NOW to begin the application process.