Scott Baldwin, Rhys Webb and Gareth Anscombe are among the latest Wales internationals to map out plans to move into coaching.
With their former Ospreys team-mate Ben John, they have been on the acclaimed Welsh Rugby Union’s Player to Coach programme which grooms stars who are eventually looking to move into coaching.
Justin Tipuric, Leigh Halfpenny, James Hook, Paul James and Bradley Davies were among the first batch of players to take the course, entry to which is open only to those who are acquiring their coaching badges. You can read more about Halfpenny's coaching ambitions here.
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Baldwin, Wales’ World Cup hooker from 2015, has now taken on a forwards coach role at Bridgend Ravens while continuing to play for the Ospreys.
“I still have some ambitions as a player but I enjoy coaching and the union’s course has been helpful,” said the 33-year-old, who is also one of the better rugby pundits on the scene.
“I have worked under some top coaches over the years but I guess you have to develop your own style and way of doing things.
“Who were the best coaches I worked under? Steve Tandy and Warren Gatland were outstanding managers, if you like, who got the best out of me, while Nick Evans at Harlequins and Shaun Edwards were superb on-field coaches.
“What differentiated Nick was that he encouraged players to play what was in front of them rather than paint by numbers. He wanted players to express themselves and he achieved huge buy-in from the boys.
“ Shaun was just Shaun. He’d speak his mind but he’d take responsibility and he built relationships. I remember when I was injured during one of his drills in 2018. He phoned me or sent a message almost every week to try to keep my spirits up. Stuff like that matters.”
After rejoining the Ospreys from Worcester last season, Baldwin still feels he can make a contribution as a player. “The Ospreys have a strong pool of hookers but our coach Toby Booth picks on what he sees and so it is up to us all to put our hands up in training and take our chances if they come along.
“Players gain experience as they get older and know how to manage themselves better on and off the field. I think I played some of the best rugby of my career at Harlequins and I still want to get better as a player and contribute.
“Coaching is something that does appeal and when I do commit to it full time, I want to visit different environments and try to learn as much as I can.
“But that’s for the future. Right now, I’m looking forward to another season with the Ospreys. We finished last term well and have a good squad with a nice mix of youth and experience. I’m still very enthusiastic about playing and I want to be at my very best in the new campaign."
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