Dragons RFC duo Dan Lydiate and Rhys Patchell will join Steve Tandy’s back-room team on an interim basis for the 2025 Quilter Nations Series.
Former Wales internationals Lydiate and Patchell, who both retired from professional rugby at the end of last season, come on board from Dragons where they are both part of the coaching team.
Lydiate, who won 72 Wales caps and played in all three Tests for the British and Irish Lions on the 2013 tour to Australia, featured in Wales’ 2012 and 2019 Grand Slams and was also selected for the 2011, 2015 and 2023 Rugby World Cups. He will work closely with head coach Steve Tandy on defence during the campaign.
Patchell, who made 22 appearances for Wales between 2013 and 2023 including at RWC 2019, will be a skills coach for Wales this November with a specific responsibility for kicking.
Neil Jenkins, Wales’ highest-ever points scorer with 1,049 points in 87 appearances for the national side, continues full-time with the Welsh Rugby Union as a skills coach working individually with players as part of their personal development plans throughout the men’s game.
Former Wales international Duncan Jones also joins the back-room team on an interim basis. The double Grand Slam winner Jones has been coaching with the Ospreys since 2018. He will operate as scrum coach when he joins up with Wales this autumn on secondment from the club he made 223 appearances for as a player.
Speaking about the appointments Tandy said: “I’m delighted that Duncan, Dan and Rhys will be joining us for the Quilter Nations Series and I’d like to thank the Ospreys and Dragons for allowing them to take up this opportunity with Wales.
“I’m excited to have the full coaching team confirmed for our four games this autumn and I know we’re all relishing the chance to get stuck into our campaign.”
Dragons RFC Head Coach Filo Tiatia said: “We are pleased that Dan and Rhys have been given the opportunity to join up with Wales for the autumn series.
“Both are young talented coaches who will bring energy and expertise to the Wales backroom team and will I’m sure will return to Dragons better for the experience in the international set-up.”
WALES 2025 AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES FIXTURES
All Principality Stadium Live on TNT Sports, discovery+ and S4C.
- Sunday 9 November: Wales v Argentina KO 3.10pm
- Saturday 15 November: Wales v Japan KO 5.40pm
- Saturday 22 November: Wales v New Zealand 3.10pm
- Saturday 29 November: Wales v South Africa 3.10pm
Tickets for all four fixtures are available HERE
