The Welsh Rugby Union is delighted to announce Tyrone Holmes has been appointed as the new Wales Defence coach ahead of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
Holmes brings experience of the women’s game at Test level, having been Scotland Women’s defence coach for three years.
He was part of the Scotland coaching team that qualified for the knockout stages of England RWC 2025.
The South African-born flanker was capped by Scotland and played for Glasgow Warriors when they won the Pro12 title in 2015.
Holmes, 39, played for Western Province, the Stormers, Toulon, Northampton, Petrarca and Newcastle.
He started his coaching career in France with Stade Nicois after he retired from playing in 2016.
Holmes will take up his role with Wales on March 2nd.
Tyrone Holmes, Wales Defence coach, 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.”
Sean Lynn, Wales Head coach, said: “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 in the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup, 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 W6N against Scotland at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, April 11th.
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 the Sean’s coaching team.”