Wales Appoints Alex Davies as New Kicking Coach, Strengthening Coaching Ranks
Cardiff, Wales – The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has officially announced the appointment of Alex Davies, the 40-year-old former Leicester Tigers assistant, as their new permanent kicking coach. This strategic move marks the fourth coaching addition to the national team this year, signalling a concerted effort to bolster Steve Tandy’s backroom staff and refine Wales’ on-field performance.
Davies, who previously served as skills and kicking coach at Leicester, brings a wealth of experience from his stints with England Women, Rosslyn Park, and the Netherlands. His playing career saw him feature for London Welsh, Bath, and Rosslyn Park, demonstrating his versatility as both a scrum-half and fly-half.
This appointment comes after a period where Wales relied on interim solutions for their kicking expertise. Leigh Halfpenny guided the team through the last two summer tours, while Rhys Patchell took charge during the autumn internationals and the Six Nations period. Notably, Neil Jenkins, Wales’ long-serving kicking guru, remains employed by the WRU but has not been directly involved with the national team since the 2025 Six Nations.
Davies is set to commence his new role at the beginning of September, where he will work in close collaboration with attack coach Matt Sherratt. The WRU has outlined his responsibilities, stating that he will "lead development of the kicking skills philosophy for the senior men’s team and contribute to the development of the Welsh Rugby DNA across the wider pathway." Furthermore, Davies will also be instrumental in coaching players outside of the international campaign windows, focusing on their continuous development and progression.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new challenge, Davies commented, "I’m incredibly proud to be joining Wales as kicking coach, working under Steve Tandy and alongside an outstanding coaching team. It’s a huge honour to represent Welsh rugby and an opportunity I’m extremely grateful for. There’s an exciting journey ahead for Welsh rugby and I can’t wait to get started and be a part of it.”
Head Coach Steve Tandy welcomed the appointment, stating, “It’s great to have Alex join the coaching team. He’s a very talented coach who will be another asset for us as a group. I can’t wait for him to join us and to help continue shaping our identity as we head into the next phase of the Nations Championship with our three home games this November.”
Davies’ arrival signifies the continued evolution of Tandy’s coaching setup. Earlier this year, the team saw the addition of defence coach Pete Murchie from Kobe Steelers, followed by Dan Lydiate transitioning to a permanent coaching role after a period of secondment. Paul James was also announced as scrum coach earlier this summer, making Davies the latest and fourth significant addition to the coaching staff this year.
Despite these recent appointments, the WRU confirms they are still actively searching for an attacking skills coach, indicating a comprehensive rebuilding phase for the Welsh national team’s support structure. The influx of new talent and specialized expertise aims to equip Wales with the best possible resources as they prepare for upcoming international fixtures and future tournaments.
