If we can’t have Shaun, Byron is the best option
STEPHEN Jones and Jonathan Humphreys are fine rugby souls, proud Welshmen, and superb coaching appointments by Wayne Pivac. Now my message to the Welsh Rugby Union is to make it a Scarlets hat-trick and appoint Byron Hayward as defence chief to work alongside the above trio after the 2019 World Cup.
Wales are in a fine place right now, but I’m also really excited about where they can go in the next ten years. I think Wayne has been really shrewd with how he’s gone about things so far.
The only position for him left to appoint is someone to succeed Shaun Edwards as defence lieutenant. If I’m perfectly honest, I want Shaun to stay. Sadly, that doesn’t look possible.
He’s agreed to return to Rugby League and join his former side Wigan and if that’s what he wants to do, then we must wish him all the best. What a servant he’s been to Welsh rugby.
For me, Shaun and Andy Farrell are by a country mile the two best defence coaches in world rugby.
At the moment, Byron isn’t at that level, but that’s not to say he won’t be in the future and I think a trio of former Scarlets is an exciting blend for Wales moving forward.
Byron has served his time. He’s progressed really well through the international set-up at U20 level and worked wonders at the Scarlets alongside Wayne and Stephen.
Those two men – rightly – have had plenty of praise for the success that’s happened in Llanelli in the last few years, but Byron has been something of an unheralded figure.
My belief is he deserves his moment in the sun and a crack at Wales. I’m sure Scarlets fans reading this won’t be too happy. They’ve already seen Wayne and Stephen leave and obviously there is a very good chance Byron will too.
Of course that would be a blow for the region, but my belief is they will no doubt rebuild under Brad Mooar and do it successfully too.
Ioan Cunningham is likely to stay in Llanelli to bring a degree of continuity under Mooar who I’m sure will want to bring in his own people too.
I think that’s understandable and just like you couldn’t have stood in the way of Stephen and Jonathan from being able to coach at the highest level, it’s the same for Byron.
I don’t know Byron that well, but I played with Stephen for years and also worked under Jonathan for a significant period at the Ospreys.
Everyone knows my thoughts on Stephen and I said from the start he should be the man to take over from Rob Howley as attack coach. He was so good as a player that sometimes with Wales he was coaching the coaches!
As for Jonathan, I must admit I didn’t have day-to-day dealings with him. As a forwards coach and wing, obviously we had different priorities.
But what I do know is that he’s a humble man, straight talking, and he’s done very well at international level with Scotland before. That bodes very well. He’ll be popular with the players too and already knows guys like Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric very well.
He’ll have some very promising young forwards to work with too and I’m sure he’ll bring the best out of them.
While the new faces tick all the boxes for me, I also think it’s a good move for Neil Jenkins and Paul Stridgeon to remain part of the set-up. Jenks just defines Welsh rugby for me and Paul – who everyone calls Bobby – is a vital figure too. The work he does alongside his strength and conditioning team is unparalleled.
Overall then, I think Wales have got their mix of new and old spot on. When I see Premier League football clubs sack managers, there are often wholesale changes amongst the coaches too.
I’ve never thought that was a good idea. Wales haven’t gone down that route and if they can add Byron too, then the jigsaw will be complete.
“Byron has served his time and he deserves his moment in the sun and a crack at Wales”