Rhys Long has been appointed as Technical Director at Welsh Rugby Union, a senior position in the rugby and elite performance department.
Long joins Welsh rugby from the role of Head of Performance Analysis and Technical Insights at the Football Association and brings over 20 years of practical and strategic leadership experience at the highest level in sport.
A former Head of Analysis at the WRU between 2007 and 2016, a period which saw two Grand Slams, a Six Nations Championship title and a Rugby World Cup semi-final appearance for Wales senior men’s squad, Long has also worked on two British & Irish Lions tours (2009 and 2013).
Originally from Porthcawl, Long has built a cv which spans early experience in elite analysis to his current role as a senior strategist and innovator supporting senior England football managers including Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel, and supporting the development of world leading player development pathways in football.
“This is an important time to join Welsh rugby, we are in a period of transition but bold steps towards a successful future have already been taken,” said Long who will return to Welsh rugby in April.
“Working at the highest levels of performance and talent development in football has enhanced my perspective on elite standards in sport, on how winning environments are built, and what it takes to sustain them.
“This blend of Welsh system knowledge and performance leadership will help me to shape a uniquely Welsh performance model and DNA, as the department seeks to re-establish clear standards and a winning mentality across Welsh rugby.”
As the new Technical Director, Long will be responsible for designing and delivering integrated performance strategies across men’s and women’s pathways, operating across technical and performance environments and aligning stakeholders around shared strategic goals.
He will assist in the development of a comprehensive elite rugby strategy, support the development of ‘winning’ models for national and professional club teams aligning resources and philosophies and installing a Welsh rugby ‘DNA’ across all departments.
Elite coach recruitment and succession planning across the national coaching pathways, talent and insight management and match officials will all also fall under his remit.
“I think it’s great to see the way he has challenged himself by moving into another sport and developing himself to succeed at the highest level and I can’t wait to start working with him when he begins this role.”
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