Reddin unveiled as new WRU director of rugby

Dave Reddin is the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU) new director of rugby and elite performance.

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

"I am delighted and honoured to be joining Welsh rugby at such a pivotal time in the rich history of the game here," said Reddin.

"This is one of the biggest jobs in world rugby because of the passion and meaning the game has in Wales.

"There are well documented challenges but I'm inspired by the very real potential implicit in the new vision and strategy."

Reddin is a former Football Association (FA), England Rugby and Team GB performance expert who has worked with Sir Clive Woodward and Gareth Southgate.

One of his first tasks in his new role will be to help appoint a permanent head coach to replace Warren Gatland, who left during the Six Nations, with Steve Tandy the leading contender.

Wales' men 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.

The national women's side have so far lost all four 2025 Six Nations matches and will complete their campaign against Italy on Sunday.

The WRU was the first governing body to appoint a director of rugby when Ray Williams took on the post in 1967.

The job title has changed over the years, but Reddin will effectively be the 14th appointment to the role.

Reddin will join the WRU full time from 1 September but will progressively increase his involvement from the beginning of July and be involved in the head coach recruitment process.

"My immediate focus is on the appointment of the next senior men's head coach," said Reddin.

"But I will also be immersing myself in gaining an understanding of the people and the game in Wales as quickly as possible to give me the insight to start to make positive changes for the future."

Reddin will be responsible for developing and implementing detailed structures and plans to bring to life the intent under the recently published 'One Wales' strategy.

This work will encompass responsibility for all of the men's and women's national teams and pathways as well as working closely with the four professional clubs.

WRU chief executive Abi Tierney said she was "delighted" Reddin was joining the organisation.

"Dave brings a level of expertise and experience in directly relevant elite sporting environments unmatched around the globe," said Tierney.

"We know the whole game in Wales will reap the benefits of this appointment.

"We looked at a wide range of candidates for this position and I would like to thank all the people who expressed their interest and all individuals who have offered advice and counsel on who would be the best person for this job.

"Without exception, everyone I have consulted about Dave has given a glowing recommendation and we know we have achieved a real coup by persuading him to join us."

Reddin's rugby experience began in 1996 as a fitness coach with Leicester.

He worked for England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) as a fitness expert between 1997 and 2006, with the pinnacle being the World Cup success in Australia in 2003

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

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

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, including at the 2018 World Cup when they reached the semi-final.

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.

In 2020, Reddin co-founded Pitch32, an agency which works with investors in football to transform on and off field performance.

In club football, he was part of a management team who led the acquisition and transformation of third tier Spanish football club, CD Castellon, helping creating the circumstances for their promotion to the second tier.

Most recently, Reddin has been working with UK Sport and assisting on developing strategies for the future of the UK Olympic sport system.