Davies: I can work with Gatland

Jan 6 2008 by Simon Roberts, Wales On Sunday

NIGEL DAVIES wasn’t wanted by new Wales coach, Warren Gatland, but he won’t allow that to affect their new relationship.

The former Wales attack coach, who was caretaker boss for the recent clash with South Africa, now finds himself as the WRU’s new Head of Rugby Development.

For somebody who had been shown the door by his successor it is a remarkable turnaround.

Now he finds himself as, arguably, the man who will shape Welsh rugby, at all levels, for the next decade.

Davies, who was part of former Wales coach Gareth Jenkins’ backroom team, believes working with the man who replaced his friend and mentor will not be an issue.

“I was somebody brought in by the previous coach and had very strong ties with Gareth,” said Davies. “I knew Warren would do the same thing as Gareth and bring his own men in. I have no issues with that.

“I have no problems with Warren and he knows I have taken this role and is comfortable with it.”

Davies, along with Graeme Maw, the WRU’s new Elite Performance Director, will carry out a major review of the game in Wales over the next few months.

They will look at all sorts of issues from the professional game to the grassroots, schools rugby and even rugby in North Wales.

Davies admits he will undertake a massive fact-finding mission before drawing up a cohesive strategy for the national game.

“I do have a lot of people I want to talk to,” said Davies. “I want to talk to the schools because I think that area is a sleeping giant.

“I have been to South Africa and New Zealand and one of their great successes is their school system.”

Davies, though, did deliver an impassioned plea for ‘change’ to the WRU Board after Wales’ World Cup failure. It is understood his honesty in admitting the failures of that particular campaign, had a major impact on the WRU power-brokers.

“I tried to be as constructive as possible,” said Davies.

“After the World Cup, I didn’t feel I had too much to lose and I would like to think I was honest and up-front with the board.

“I did an assessment on the World Cup and, as one of the coaches, I recognised we had failed.

“On top of that, there were things I thought needed to happen. It appears to have struck a chord.”

Davies has already identified Wales’ small pool of rugby talent as a major issue. But would he consider tapping up young disillusioned South Africans and New Zealanders and getting them to qualify on residency grounds for Wales?

“I am not a big fan of that,” said Davies. “I have no doubt we can increase our pool of playing talent.”

Davies is determined the WRU, which is still saddled by a £45m debt, needs to get value for money.

“The WRU spends a lot of money on the game in Wales and we have to ask whether we are really getting value for money,” said Davies.