World Rugby role for former Wales international

NEWS: Former Wales international Phil Davies has been appointed World Rugby’s new Director of Rugby, the global governing body announced on Wednesday.

Davies, currently Director of Rugby at English club Leeds Tykes, was previously in charge of the Namibian national side.

The 58-year-old succeeds Joe Schmidt in the World Rugby post after the former Ireland coach left at the end of last year.

A lock who won 46 Welsh caps, Davies led Namibia at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, and also had coaching stints at Cardiff Blues, Scarlets and Worcester Warriors.

“I believe that I can bring my experiences of playing and coaching in more than 20 nations over the past 35 years to support further growth and development to the sport both off and on the field,” said Davies in a statement.