There’s set to be some key appointments, as well as two summer tours
While Judgement Day usually marks the end of the season in Wales, the annual meeting of the four professional sides in the Welsh capital this year only serves as the beginning of the end for this campaign. A season which, despite the odd highlight, is another that won’t exactly be remembered fondly by many.
On the domestic front, three of the four teams are at least in contention for a play-off place in the United Rugby Championship. Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets will all be hoping they can break into the top eight in the coming weeks.
Of course, the fact that these three teams have punched above their weight this season is a break from the norm. Cardiff going into administration last week showed the fragile nature of rugby in this country.
And then there’s the fate of the national team – winless in 17 Tests and on the lookout for a new head coach. Heading into a British and Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer, there’s a lack of expectation from a Welsh perspective compared to previous tours.
It’s feasible we could be looking at the lowest post-war Welsh representation on tour. But as we hurtle towards the end of the season, just what can we expect in the coming weeks and months?
The PRA is finally signed as WRU make key appointment
Given the email sent by WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood to the regions, asking for the new Professional Rugby Agreement to be signed by Tuesday evening, it would be fair to assume that the new PRA would be the next big headline in Welsh rugby.
However, given how long Welsh rugby’s new funding model has taken to get over the line – with it now two months since an announcement was made that everything had been agreed in principle – no one will start holding their breath for an imminent announcement.
Perhaps what is actually first on the pile of upcoming announcements is the appointment of a new director of rugby. Former RFU fitness guru Dave Reddin is understood to be the man coming in. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Whether that happens this week remains to be seen. There’s no suggestion of white smoke ahead of Judgement Day, even though there had been hopes that Reddin would have been unveiled last week.
Obviously, with what happened with Cardiff, last week wasn’t the ideal timeframe to put anything out. Judgement Day build-up and the WRU’s One Wales strategy also lost a bit of publicity in the wake of events at the Arms Park.
However, Reddin still seems likely to be the first appointment by the WRU – which should then kickstart other additions to the Union. A chief growth officer is still to be appointed, as is a head coach to replace Warren Gatland.
Wales get a new coach to kickstart second post-Gatland era
The WRU have been here before, trying to find a replacement for Gatland. The first time, the WRU got their ducks in order early by appointing Wayne Pivac a year before Gatland actually left – although, as evidenced by Shaun Edwards’ departure, there were still missteps in that process.
This time around, it’s a very different scenario. Gatland, having won just five out of 26 matches, walked away from his job during the Six Nations. There’s no victory lap or great fanfare this time.
Instead, whoever replaces him is inheriting a side that hasn’t won since the tail end of 2023. Reddin, once appointed officially, will be thrust into the search for a new coach – something that has been led by interim Huw Bevan until now.
The WRU already have a shortlist – which Steve Tandy, Simon Easterby, Franco Smith, Stuart Lancaster and Pat Lam are understood to be a part of.
Tandy is understood to the favourite, having come a long way since his first job in coaching with the Ospreys. Those who played under him at the time speak highly of the former back-row, as do Scotland internationals who have worked under him during his time as their defence coach.
Already, the reaction north of Hadrian’s Wall is that Tandy would be a significant loss to Gregor Townsend’s coaching team. Getting him back to Welsh rugby is undoubtedly a good thing.
The only question is whether Tandy is the man for the head coach role – having not held that title since leaving the Ospreys in 2018. The man himself will surely feel it’s time.
Lions squad brings unwanted record but deserved recognition
You’d have to go back to 1936 for the last time the British and Irish Lions toured with no Welshmen on the plane.
Surely, despite what some have said, that won’t be the case this time. But, having taken double figures on each of the six tours since the turn of the millennium, this is set to be Wales’ lowest number of Lions for some time.
Five toured back in 1993. That’s the lowest figure since the total absence of Welshmen in the mid-30s.
It’s hard to say with any conviction right now that more than five will tour. The likes of Dewi Lake, Tomos Williams, Dafydd Jenkins and Taulupe Faletau – among others – will be in the mix.
But how many will go? That’s harder to say. Maybe Williams? We’ll soon know on May 8.
Hopefully, the one man who will get the recognition will be Jac Morgan. He is undoubtedly worthy of a place on the plane, but the ridiculous competition means there’s still some nagging concerns he won’t be heading down under this summer.
There’s perhaps a sense that Morgan hasn’t been getting the credit he deserves in recent months, because of the teams he’s playing in.
Obviously, despite his best efforts, Wales were winless in the Six Nations. As for the Ospreys, while they’ve been pretty good in recent months, they don’t play in the same competitions that tend to generate hype in the build-up to the Lions.
The Gallagher Premiership has TNT Sports magnifying every moment by any potential call-up in the build-up to Andy Farrell’s announcement, while some of Morgan’s back-row rivals have also been impressing in the Champions Cup.
That said, even if they were in the Challenge Cup, Morgan’s performances in the last two weekends have been world class. There needs to be a space for him, one way or another.
Japan tour brings new faces and end of awful run
Depending on how things play out between now and the end of June, Wales could travel to Japan with a new head coach or simply another interim.
Also, unlike most tours in Lions years, the likely lack of Welsh tourists with Farrell’s mob will mean this isn’t as much of a development tour as usual.
So expect plenty of first-string talent to make up the Test sides in Kitakyushu and Kobe. However, there still should be some room for new faces – with the likes of Morgan Morse, James Fender, Reuben Morgan-Williams and Macs Page all knocking at the door.
So too might some of Richard Whiffin’s U20s side – although they do have their own summer plans to worry about with the World Championships in Italy.
Above all, this tour – whoever the coach is and whatever new faces travel – represents Wales’ best chance of ending this woeful losing run.
Japan currently sit one place below Wales in the world rankings. Surely – surely – this is where the run ends. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
