JENKINS AND MCBRYDE TO TOUR ARGENTINA

World record points scorer Jenkins, and 2005 Grand Slam winner McBryde, who are both currently employed as skills coaches within the WRU High Performance department working with Wales’ elite young players, have been added to the Wales summer tour party for the two Tests against the Pumas next month. 

Jenkins and McBryde will add to the coaching experience of new boss Gareth Jenkins and attack coach Nigel Davies for the duration of the tour.

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins said, “The decision to take Robin and Neil to Argentina fits in perfectly with our philosophies on the roles needed within our coaching structure. The set-piece is a huge part of the international game and by taking Robin McBryde within the tour party means we are developing specialist coaching skills in that area.
“Kicking is also key to our attacking strategies, it is one of the big challenges of the international game and to have someone of Neil’s expertise on board is superb.
“Both coaches are former Lions and are widely respected within the game and by all the players they work with.
“It is a reflection of the coaching development process in place within the WRU that we have such a high standard of personnel already in the system to draw upon and coming on this tour will be an important part of their coaching development.

Leighton Morgan, WRU Coach Development Manager, said, “Neil and Robin have been working with our Academy players since October and have already made a real difference with the young beneficiaries under their charge who are attached to each of the WRU Regional Academies.
“Neil and Robin have undoubted rugby knowledge and experiences and are quickly and professionally combining those qualities with new-found coaching skills and qualifications. Having the ability to utilise these individuals at Academy level and with various WRU national squads is proving to be hugely beneficial to our game.
“From a WRU coach development point of view, there should be no short-cutting of a coach’s professional development, but fast-tracking people with Neil and Robin’s rugby background is certainly in our best interest”.

Both Neil Jenkins and Robin McBryde assisted the national Under 21 side during their recent Six Nations campaign and both were called upon by Scott Johnson to assist the national coaching team during the 2006 Six Nations.
Neil’s role on the summer tour will be to work on the national team’s kicking strategy as well as improve the kicking skills of particular individuals within the squad, while Robin is charged with the development of individual and mini unit front five skills.