Lewsey Appointed As Head Of Welsh Rugby

World Cup winner and former London Wasp, Josh Lewsey, has been named Wales Rugby Union’s new Head of Rugby.

After stepping down as acting Chief Executive of Championship side Cornish Pirates, Lewsey will begin his contract in Wales at the end of September.

A number of ‘old friends’ will be reunited as he joins his old club Coach Warren Gatland, as well as former defence coach Shaun Edwards and backs coach Rob Howley in the Welsh camp.

Allegiances have reversed in both Welsh and English rugby before the start of the new season, as the now former Welsh Head, Joe Lydon, has returned to England to help Stuart Lancaster and his men, as English rugby royalty, Lewsey, travels across the border.

Nationality is not as bigger case as originally perceived, however, with Josh’s mother hailing from Cwmllynfell in Swansea; which would have made him eligible to represent either country. Although, friction could arise in 2015 as both England and Wales share the same World Cup group.

After winning over fifty caps for England, three for the British and Irish Lions in the 2005 tour of New Zealand and lifting the World Cup in 2003, Josh retired from the game in 2009.

Lewsey’s role encompasses all Welsh rugby, from its grassroots to its elite level.

The former resident of Sandhurst Millitary Academy is rarely deterred by adversity; however, Welsh Rugby is an unpredictable mix. The national side, which are 2013 Six Nations winners and dominant force in European rugby, currently boast some of the world’s best players; notably, Leigh Halfpenny, Sam Warburton and George North, who also provided the backbone for Warren Gatland’s Lions test team.

However, with the country’s domestic teams struggling to perform in the Heineken cup and stay in contact with the growing budgets of English and particularly French clubs – as star players George North and Jamie Roberts, have left the country for more lucrative contracts at Northampton and Racing Metro, respectively –  the position will have its difficulties.

It will be Lewsey’s job to recreate the national side’s success throughout all levels of Welsh Rugby.