Former Scotland defence coach Tyrone Holmes has been appointed as the new Wales defence coach ahead of the upcoming Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
Holmes was with Scotland for a number of years and was part of the coaching team that qualified for the knockout stages at last year’s Rugby World Cup in England.
The South African-born back-row was capped by Scotland men once and played for Glasgow Warriors when they won the Pro12 title in 2015.
Holmes said: “The opportunity to coach Wales at international level with a Women’s Six Nations on the horizon is one I am excited by.
“Meeting Sean Lynn, the Wales head coach, and seeing his desire to bring a real identity and to build a winning mentality to the squad was infectious.
“Everybody is aware of his reputation in the women’s game with Gloucester Hartpury and there is no doubt of his determination and ambition to build the same with Wales.”
Lynn added: “Tyrone really impressed during the whole interview process and his knowledge of the women’s game was key to his appointment.
“We identified the need for a defence coach in our robust review of the recent World Cup and, having coached against him, we know he will bring a real attitude and mindset to the role.
“He has lived it and breathes the values of hard work and toughness. Those are the values we will live by as players, coaches and staff.
“Tyrone will give us new perspective and a new voice as we build into the first game against of the Six Nations against Scotland at the Principality Stadium on April 11.
Dave Reddin, the Welsh Rugby Union’s director of rugby, said: “We carried out an extensive search and interview process to fill this role and Tyrone was the outstanding candidate of those we shortlisted.
“The number of high quality coaches who applied for this role acknowledges the rapid growth of the women’s game and the prestige of being a national coach with Wales.
“Tyrone brings real experience of Test rugby in the women’s game and of professional rugby and is a valuable addition to Sean’s coaching team.”
Tyrone Holmes is pictured – thanks to the Welsh Rugby Union