Reddin in line to be named WRU director of rugby

Former Football Association (FA), England Rugby and Team GB performance expert Dave Reddin is the leading contender to become director of professional rugby at the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

Reddin's most recent role was with the FA, where he left his post as head of strategy and performance in 2019.

He was a key member of Sir Clive Woodward's England management staff when they won the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Reddin held the role of director of performance services for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics.

The WRU is looking for somebody to oversee the professional men's and women's games in Wales following the departure of executive director of rugby Nigel Walker in December 2024.

Once an appointment is made, the WRU must also name a new head coach to succeed Warren Gatland who left the role during this year's Six Nations.

Wales have lost a record 17 Tests in succession, a run they will aim to halt when they play a two-match series in Japan in July.

Reddin worked for England's Rugby Football Union as a fitness expert between 1997 and 2006 where the pinnacle came with the World Cup success in Australia.

Reddin was also part of Woodward's backroom team on the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2005.

After his spell working with Team GB, Reddin joined the FA in 2014 as head of performance services under then director of elite development Dan Ashworth.

Reddin's role initially focused on England's development teams but he was appointed head of team strategy and performance in 2016.

That role included responsibilities for performance medicine, analysis, physical performance, nutrition and people development. Reddin worked with Gareth Southgate's senior England side, which included a World Cup semi-final appearance in 2018.

FA chief executive Martin Glenn said Reddin had played a "key role across all 28 of our England teams" when he left the organisation in 2019.

Reddin was subject to an FA investigation after a bullying allegation was made against him in 2017.

After a thorough process, the FA said it was "entirely satisfied the matters were appropriately investigated and concluded".