Ioan Cunningham is credited with reinstalling belief in a morale-depleted Wales squad and transforming their environment in just six weeks last autumn.
Wales fly-half Elinor Snowsill's verdict is testament to how much things have changed for the better. "The detail brought in and the way they've treated us... it's just how things should be done," she said. "You have to see it done well for you to realise things in the past have maybe not been done how it should have been."
The former Wales U20s boss took over in the most difficult of times. An independent WRU review had uncovered a myriad of failings in the Union's treatment of the team, and Cunningham's hefty task was to galvanise the squad for their three-game autumn series. Confirmation that at least some players would soon become full-time professionals - a promise touted a number of times in years gone by - helped spur the squad to two wins and entertaining performances. Now, he is tasked with getting the most out of 12 full-time and 12 part-time Wales players, plus non-contracted Women's Six Nations squad players, who have just claimed their first tournament win against Dublin to end a seven-game losing championship streak.
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So, what is the key? Being happy and enjoying the moment is pretty high up on the list, it would seem.
"If you’re enjoying it and smiling, I think you learn more," he tells us. "I’m enjoying every day. We encourage the players to enjoy coming in every day. That then leads to expressing themselves, being themselves and that’s what we want - the girls to really enjoy it and show us exactly what they can do."
This mantra will come as no surprise if you take a look at Cunningham's CV. The former Llanelli RFC captain spent nine years with the Scarlets before the-then forwards coach was released when Glenn Delaney succeeded Brad Mooar. The proud Welshman - who helped the region to a PRO14 title in 2017 alongside Wayne Pivac, Stephen Jones and Byron Hayward - later admitted he was "a little bit shocked", while Sean Holley was left "bewildered" by the decision. Such was his quality that Cunningham, 39, was in advanced talks with Harlequins before they opted for Jerry Flannery, but thankfully for Welsh rugby he stayed, becoming director of Llandovery College Elite Rugby on an interim basis, before taking charge of Wales U20s and now Wales Women.
"My experiences of working at the Scarlets and then moving on to other experiences, I felt it’s made me a better coach and a better person," he added. "That’s how I reflect on it. The biggest thing I learned from the Scarlets, and going through that period of leaving them, is to just really enjoy it and focus on the here and now. I think I’m a little bit more relaxed now and just love every opportunity you get."
It's a way of thinking he has tried to instil into his Wales squad. Whatever they're doing - whether it's strength and conditioning, a skills session, weights in the gym - the important thing is that they don't waste a rep.
Another philosophy is growing together, and what better way to do that than with shuttle runs. Wales flyer Jasmine Joyce takes up the story: "Ioan joined us in some Broncos the other day. It is basically running, we go out to the 20 and back, the 40 and back, the 60 and back and so on. You could tell he was really trying to beat us. He was next to Alisha [Butchers] and Alex Callender, he was trying to beat them. It was hilarious watching him take part with us, but also fantastic that he gets involved, he does not take himself too seriously. He did all right, he finished in the middle somewhere, he was just behind Alisha so quite fit actually, but he was dying after."
"I regretted doing it when I started!" he laughed. "The girls pushed me, I tried to keep up with Alisha Butchers but fair play she left me. It was good, I enjoyed it. We ask the girls to work hard. I won’t ask them to do anything that I wouldn’t have done as a player or things like that, so I think it’s important we share things together and grow stronger together."
Cunningham was appointed initially on an interim basis in September, but October welcomed the announcement that he, attack coach Richard Whiffin and World Rugby coaching intern Sophie Spence would lead Wales up to an including this autumn's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
A culture where everyone is comfortable with being challenged to aid growth is being fostered, while the coaches operate an open-door policy for any issues, on or off-field. And while being happy in camp is a major priority, performing and winning is the ultimate goal. "If I have a performance conversation with a player, it’ll maybe be hearing stuff you don’t like hearing but it’s coming from a good place because we want you to get better," Cunningham - or 'Yoes', as he is referred to in camp - explained. "Putting different hats on, I’m a coach, I put my coaching hat on, then I’ll put my hat on as in ‘I want to get to know you and help you in other ways’."
The Wales head coach, who admits it was "humbling" to be able to offer players historic contracts which allowed them to live their dreams, is enjoying his first foray into coaching in women's rugby and believes there are nuances to adapt to but nothing major.
"Sometimes when you coach men, you can tell some players to just run hard, sort of thing, but we do focus a lot on explaining the 'why' and the detail to get the players to really grow their learning and get them better as quickly as we can," he said. "And also, sometimes we have to be smarter. In the men’s game, sometimes you’ve got to just run through walls. In the women’s game, what I’ve found is you can be quite creative and there are opportunities there. There’s a lot of talented girls in the squad who thrive on that and enjoy that creative side and working out things."
On the subject of working things out, it will likely be some while before we find out who will be leading Wales Women post-World Cup, taking place throughout October and November in New Zealand. WRU performance director Nigel Walker has said: "[It's] kept constantly under review. No deadline for making a decision but if there is to be a change it will be made in an orderly way and it will not disrupt Rugby World Cup preparations and our chances of performing well in the Rugby World Cup. I can’t say any more than that because that’s as much as I know at the moment."
Quite in keeping with the squad's mantra, one can only focus on what is in front of you in the shorter term.
Fresh from a jubilant weekend and a stunning comeback win in Dublin, it's safe to say Wales are now targeting wins against Scotland - who they face this Saturday at Cardiff Arms Park (4.45pm kick-off) and Italy while trying to push champions England and semi-professional France as much as they can. The latter two going head to head is likely to decide the title on Super Saturday. Wales showed promise and real intent during the autumn, and the focus is now on physicality, being relentless and thriving in the final quarter of fixtures. Improved fitness levels and skill sets, achieved by up to four days a week in contact time with Wales coaches, will only help that.
While the coaches were fully involved and clearly emotional during Wales' post-match celebrations at the RDS, there is no standing still. But one thing is for certain: Cunningham and his coaching staff are a huge part of turning around Wales Women's morale, culture and (don't speak too soon) results.
"I’m a Welshman and I’m super proud to be in the position I’m in," Cunningham concluded. "I really enjoy working with the people I’m working with, they’re fantastic people. I feel privileged and lucky to be here."
