Josh Lewsey, who announced this week that he was stepping down from his role as the acting chief executive officer of the Cornish Pirates, was today appointed the new Head of Rugby for Wales.
The World Cup winner, who won 55 England caps, will begin his new role at the end of next month.
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Josh Lewsey who is to become the new head of rugby for Wales.
The 36-year-old, who has a home at St Agnes, will join the Executive Board of the WRU and will take operational and strategic management of the whole of the game in Wales from community to elite level outside Warren Gatland’s senior international squad.
Lewsey has previously worked extremely closely with Warren Gatland and many of his backroom staff throughout at London Wasps winning two European Cups and four National Championships.
In a statement announcing Lewsey’s appontment, The Group Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, Roger Lewis, said: “We are delighted to have been able to secure someone of the calibre of Josh as our new Head of Rugby.
“He is passionate about the game and undoubtedly has the experience and determination to make a huge and positive difference for Welsh rugby.
“We carried out a thorough search of the available candidates and Josh won through from an extremely strong group of final candidates.
“He joins us at a time when the international game in Wales is extremely successful and he knows we are determined to cascade that strength throughout the whole of Welsh rugby.
“Josh is particularly committed to making a significant difference within grassroots rugby across Wales, both within clubs and schools. He has
experienced driving initiatives within the community game which will be a clear advantage in his new role.
“Our goal is to continue to build and develop the strength of the elite game and focus hard on making Welsh rugby a sport everyone wants to participate in either as a player, official, volunteer or fan at all levels.
“We have built a strong team of rugby staff and have clear goals based on our rolling five year financial strategy so Josh will have a roadmap to follow in the months and years ahead.
“I know he will bring his own vision and goals to the role and that is an exciting prospect for the whole of Welsh rugby.”
Lewsey said: “I am delighted to have been offered this opportunity to play a pivotal role in ensuring the strength and wellbeing of the national sport of Wales.
“Everyone involved in rugby knows how passionate the whole of Wales is about the sport so I am fully aware of the huge responsibility I am accepting.
“This a challenge and an opportunity I am determined to seize with total commitment and I promise everyone in Wales I will give my all to the task ahead.
“A key driver for me is to balance the focus between the elite and community games in a way which establishes a long term sustainable platform for rugby in Wales.”
Lewsey has been the acting Chief Executive of the Cornish Pirates in a temporary role he took on early in 2013.
He will continue in his senior role with the Cornish Pirates until the end of his agreed contract which terminates at the end of the month and will then immediately begin work with the WRU in his new role.
But he will remain involved as an advisor to the board on a long term basis.
Lewsey to take up top Wales job after stepping down from Pirates" role
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