The Wales forwards coach is optimistic about the future of Welsh rugby
Danny Wilson has confirmed his role as Wales forwards coach will not extend beyond this summer’s tour of Japan, but he remains confident there is enough talent in Welsh rugby to reverse the national team’s recent poor run of form.
The 48-year-old has joined Matt Sherratt’s new-look backroom team for this summer’s two-Test tour of Japan on secondment from Harlequins. Wilson is well acquainted with Welsh rugby having previously coached Wales U20s, the Dragons, Scarlets and Cardiff.
The Welsh Rugby Union are currently searching for a new head coach after Warren Gatland’s departure midway through the Six Nations, with Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy among the contenders.
Wilson has been heavily linked with a permanent coaching role in Wales but the Harlequins boss poured cold water on such suggestions.
He has worked with Sherratt previously when he was head coach of Cardiff but the tables have turned, with the Harlequins boss now working underneath his friend. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
“I was really excited to get the opportunity, Quins were brilliant to allow me to do it,” said Wilson.
“It falls right in my break in terms of finishing with Harlequins and reviews.
“It would be a pre-season break for me and us as a group. When I finish this project I get off a flight and back into work at Harlequins.
“I first worked with Matt at Bristol and then having seen how good he was I was desperate to bring him to Cardiff.
“Then we had a pretty good time together and then we went our separate ways into different projects after a pleasing end by winning a bit of silverware together with Cardiff.
“We work well together and dovetail a fair amount, but we are responsible for different areas. I’m very respectful of who is in the head coaching role.
“He was very supportive of me in our period together at Cardiff, and likewise with me now.
“He’s picked up some great experience here and put in some great foundations in a short space of time during the Six Nations.”
The Welsh rugby landscape has changed significantly since Wilson left Cardiff in 2018, with the men’s national side having lost a record 17 Test matches on the bounce.
The future of the four professional clubs is also up in the air, with the WRU considering cutting one if not two teams.
But Wilson is adamant there is enough talent in Wales to drag themselves out of the hole they find themselves in.
“I think of the 100-cappers that have left Wales or retired from international rugby,” he said.
“We’ve had the same at Harlequins that we’ve lost some key players for a number of reasons last year.
“We made a commitment to a three-year project and this year we’ve blooded some youngsters.
“You take a little bit of pain on the way but by blooding those youngsters and giving them the experiences that they need. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
“Like all of us in every job you learn on the job a little bit, even though it’s international rugby and it shouldn’t be happening like that.
“But you blood those youngsters, bring them through and give them the opportunities, I think you’ll see the fruits of that long term.
“I know at Harlequins we’ll be better for doing that this year and other projects similar.
“At Cardiff when we won some silverware, the Tomos Williams’ and Jarrod Evans’ who played in that final were young kids who we brought through the year before.
“They took a bit of pain but that pain came to fruition in the future.
“I think it’s the same here at the moment.
“A number of experienced 100-cap players have left.
“What you want in an ideal system is a conveyor belt where the next group are ready and that’s I think the project is at the moment is to get more of that group ready to not just play international Test match rugby but to win.
“That’s the key – it’s to win.
“I think that’s partly what’s happening at the moment.”
Wilson also believes the job of coaching Wales is an exciting one despite recent troubles.
“I think there’s an exciting project future-wise for whoever will come into that role as head coach,” he said.
“There’s an amazing facility here and platform to build from.
“There’s an hour and 10 minutes from the Dragons to the Scarlets.
“That’s a huge advantage and I think using that advantage in Wales and bringing four regions together and aligning as much as possible has got to be the project for the future.
“I think if that’s done it’s exciting. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
“There’s always talent in Wales. There’s so many exciting players coming through. Some have ended up over the bridge playing in England but there’s an exciting project for the future.
“I think it will take a bit of time to get where it needs to get and I think everyone is aware of that. There’s no magical dust to be sprinkled on something; it takes hard work and some changes to be made.
“Looking at it from afar, somebody who grabs hold of it now has got an exciting project ahead of them.”
