By Paul Jones
Wales Women’s senior team have appointed Shaun Connor as their new full-time attack and kicking coach ahead of the forthcoming TikTok Six Nations campaign.
The former Dragons and Russia coach has moved from his role with the Dragons Rugby Academy and Wales U20s to join Ioan Cunningham’s coaching team.
A former Dragons and Ospreys fly-half, Connor brings a wealth of experience as a professional player and coach to his new role and will continue with the Wales U20s until the end of their current Six Nations campaign.
Connor, who was skills coach at the Dragons and Russia assistant coach at the men’s Rugby World Cup in Japan back in 2019 replaces Richard Whiffin who has taken a role with the Highlanders in New Zealand.
Stephen Myler, the England and Ospreys fly-half, held the kicking coach role with Wales Women on a short-term basis until the recent World Cup in New Zealand.
Wales kick-off their TikTok Six Nations campaign when they face Ireland at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, March 25th (Kick-off 14:15)
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Ioan Cunningham, Wales Women’s head coach, said, “Having gone through a thorough process to replace Richard Whiffin who has taken up an exciting opportunity with the Highlanders, we are delighted to bring Shaun on board.
“He is an experienced coach who has had exposure at the top level of professional and international rugby, and has played professionally too. We are excited for him to be working with us and I’m sure the players are too.
Connor, said: “I’ve been working with the Dragons Academy for the last 18 months, working with the U20s too and this opportunity is a new challenge and something that really interests me.
“I’ve seen the investment into the women’s game over the last 12 months or so and it’s only going to get better. With it being a full-time role, there’s a lot of scope for me to spend time with the players and make a difference, both in camp and with one-to-one sessions.
“That was a real attraction of the job, the contact time with the players means there’s the ability to make improvements. Hopefully, I can continue the good work Richard Whiffin did in attack, and Stephen Myler did with the kicking which is a passion of mine.
“Attack is really about making decisions so it’s about putting the girls in those situations to make things easier come match time.”