Ioan Cunningham will lead Wales into the 2022 Women’s Six Nations after the WRU confirmed their coaching line-up for the next 12 months.
Cunningham took the job on an interim basis in September and will now head up the coaching staff through to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next autumn.
The 38-year-old will again be assisted by Geraint Lewis, Richard Whiffin and World Rugby coaching intern Sophie Spence.
Cunningham started coaching in regional academy and international age-grade rugby before working under Scarlets coaches Wayne Pivac and Brad Mooar. He also took charge of Wales in last season’s Under-20s Six Nations.
Cunningham said: “I’m excited to work with this talented group of people and at the strides we can make in the coming months as we put the building blocks in place for Rugby World Cup 2021.
“It’s an honour and privilege for both coaches and players to be involved with any Rugby World Cup and we are now in a position to be able to put concrete plans in place having qualified for the global event and with two exciting campaigns to look forward to with the autumn matches and the Women’s Six Nations.”
Cunningham also announced his squad for the upcoming autumn internationals, with Wales due to face Japan, South Africa and Canada.
Siwan Lillicrap will once again captain the side and can’t wait to get to work.
She said: “It’s great for us to have the news that we will be working with this group of coaches as we build through this autumn campaign and next year’s Women’s Six Nations to next year’s Rugby World Cup. We can’t wait to welcome crowds back to the Arms Park to help us start that journey.”
Wales Autumn Squad:
Forwards: Siwan Lillicrap (capt), Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Bethan Dainton, Kat Evans, Cerys Hale, Cara Hope, Gwen Crabb, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Natalia John, Madi Johns, Manon Johnes, Molly Kelly, Bethan Lewis, Robyn Lock, Liliana Podpadec, Gwenllian Pyrs, Donna Rose, Caryl Thomas
Backs: Keira Bevan, Leanne Burnell, Hannah Jones, Jasmine Joyce, Jess Kavanagh, Courtney Keight, Kerin Lake, Caitlin Lewis, Ffion Lewis, Jade Mullen, Lisa Neumann, Elinor Snowsill, Niamh Terry, Flo Williams, Megan Webb, Robyn Wilkins
