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Robin McBryde will coach Wales during their June tour of the Pacific Islands
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McBryde assumes head coach responsibilities for the third time after leading Wales on tour in 2009 and 2013
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Both occasions which coincided with previous Lions appointments for both Warren Gatland and Rob Howley
Welsh Rugby chief executive Martyn Phillips has confirmed Robin McBryde will lead the Wales coaching team for their June tour of the Pacific Islands.
Phillips, after congratulating Rob Howley on his appointment as British & Irish Lions backs coach, immediately outlined the plans for Wales’ current assistant coach to take charge for the June 2017 tour.
McBryde assumes head coach responsibilities for the third time after leading Wales on tour of USA and Canada in 2009 and for a two-Test campaign against Japan in 2013 – both occasions which coincided with previous Lions appointments for both Warren Gatland and Howley.
“Rob Howley joins Warren Gatland’s British & Irish Lions coaching team with our best wishes, as the Lions embark upon one of the toughest and most high profile campaigns in the world game,” said Phillips.
“Both coaches can only benefit from the coaching experiences available to them and, in turn, we know the Wales national squad set-up will be able to reap the rewards of that experience upon their return to us.
“We have a clear strategy in Welsh Rugby, with coaching and coach development a central priority at all levels of the game.
“It will be of huge benefit to Welsh Rugby in the long term that, within a small window during their coaching careers, we are able to provide significant development opportunities for Warren, Rob and Robin.
“We are also at an advanced stage in discussions with a number of other individuals about the summer tour and hope to be in a position to confirm the full make-up of the management team next week.”
Wales are touring the Pacific Islands in June 2017, with specific fixtures against Tonga and Samoa to be confirmed.
