The Welsh Rugby Union have appointed fitness coach and high-performance consultant Huw Bevan as interim performance director.
The former Cardiff and Ospreys strength and conditioning coach steps into the role vacated by Nigel Walker, who became interim chief executive in January following the resignation of Steve Phillips.
Bevan, currently an independent high performance consultant to World Rugby on attachment to USA Rugby, admits "there are some issues and lots to do".
The WRU say Bevan "will be charged with continuing Walker’s legacy as performance director, which includes further development of the women’s pathway and working collaboratively across the entire breadth of Welsh rugby to ensure sustainable and successful growth in all areas of the game."
The appointment comes after Warren Gatland's Wales finished fifth in the Six Nations after a sole win over Italy in a World Cup year and the U20s were left with the wooden spoon. Wales Women, however, are riding high following two heavy wins over Ireland and Scotland in the Women's Six Nations.
He heads to the WRU from USA Rugby, whom he joined in 2018 and since August 2021 has been director of performance and interim general manager since January.
Bevan, from Bridgend, has held a number of positions in elite cricket, working as England's strength and conditioning coach from 2009-2014 when the team celebrated Ashes wins in 2009, 2011 and 2013. He was also Newport RFC high performance manager between 2014-2016 and then head of performance and rugby operations for the following two years.
"The way the women’s game is developing, I think it’s a really exciting time to come in," said Bevan. "Yes, there are some issues and lots to do but I’ve never been one to run away from a challenge; this is a great opportunity to work within Wales, for my home nation and have a positive impact on the business.
"I’ve had a range of experiences in a wide variety of positions, and I think from all of those I will be able to bring the skills and competencies that are required to help me be effective in this role. The existing relationships I have with many people across the Welsh rugby community will be vitally important and I will look to expand those relationships and build new ones that will help us be successful."
WRU chief executive Walker said: "Huw is a hugely experienced and talented performance director with an intimate knowledge of the Welsh rugby landscape but also an impressive background in performance sport outside of rugby and in a variety of different roles around the globe. This wealth of experience will be an asset to all quarters of Welsh rugby and we are delighted to welcome Huw back home to Wales."
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