Leicester Tigers assistant coach Alex Davies is poised to join the Wales national team as a skills and kicking specialist, in preparation for the November Nations Championship campaign. His arrival provides a significant boost to head coach Steve Tandy.
Tandy has been seeking a new addition to his coaching setup to fill the void left by Neil Jenkins, a prominent figure in Welsh rugby for many years. Jenkins was instrumental during Wales' successful period under Warren Gatland from 2008 to 2019, a time marked by multiple Six Nations Grand Slams and Championship titles. During this era, he worked with notable players such as Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny. Jenkins also served as the kicking coach for the British & Irish Lions on four consecutive tours.
While Jenkins remains employed by the Welsh Rugby Union, focusing on academy and regional teams, he has not been part of the senior national team's staff for the past year. During this interim period, former Wales internationals Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Patchell temporarily took on kicking coach responsibilities. Halfpenny has since accepted a permanent role with Cardiff Rugby, while Patchell is now coaching with Italian club Benetton alongside former Wales head coach Wayne Pivac. This has led the Welsh Rugby Union to seek a full-time specialist.
Davies, 40, currently works with Leicester Tigers under head coach Geoff Parling. His coaching background includes previous roles with England Women, Rosslyn Park, and the Netherlands national team, following the conclusion of his playing career with Bath in 2020. His appointment will see him join Tandy, Matt Sherratt, Danny Wilson, Peter Murchie, Dan Lydiate, and Paul James on the Wales coaching staff. The move occurs amidst ongoing structural changes within Welsh rugby as the Welsh Rugby Union aims to reduce the number of professional men's teams from four to three.