Sports psychologist Professor John Neal has been handed the big job of overseeing the coaching set-up in Welsh rugby.
He takes up the role of WRU performance coach manager, filling the vacancy created by Dan Clements joining the Football Association of England.
Neal will be responsible for ensuring there is a conveyer belt of quality coaches to take charge of the national and regional teams. He will focus on both the men’s and the women’s game.
This is his second spell with the WRU. Back in 2007, he was brought in by then Wales coach Gareth Jenkins to work as a psychologist with the senior squad.
He has worked across a number of sports, notably cricket, also spending time in football.
In 2017, he was appointed Head of Coach Development for the England and Wales Cricket Board, while he has been involved as a fitness coach with the West Indies team and worked with Middlesex, Somerset, Gloucestershire and the International Cricket Conference. On the rugby front, prior to his time with Wales, he had a five year spell as director of the RFU’s World Class Coaching Programme and also worked with England Women’s Rugby.
He has been director of Sport Northern Ireland’s Elite Coach Programme and academic co-director of the Premier League’s Elite Coach Apprentice Scheme.
In addition, he has been Professor of Practice, Sports Business Performance at Ashridge Business School in Hertfordshire and founded Neal Training, which operates and manages health clubs and training facilities. Outside of sport, he has worked with Coca-Cola and the NHS.
His predecessor Clements joined the WRU in 2018 and was involved in setting up a number of coaching programmes.
Read more:
Wales international goes public on his anger and family fear as career on line
Unhappy Rhys Webb considers quitting Welsh rugby as new contract offer will half salary
Wales make new coaching appointment weeks out from Women's Six Nations kick-off
Alex Cuthbert ruled out of Wales' remaining two Six Nations games
