Warren Gatland seeking new deals for Wales staff
Friday 30 October 2015 15:22, UK
Wales head coach Warren Gatland is seeking new contracts for his coaching staff to run "until at least 2019".
Gatland has a deal in place for the next four years, but defence specialist Shaun Edwards is currently out of contract while the existing terms for attack coach Rob Howley and forwards coach Robin McBryde expire next summer.
Wales reached the World Cup quarter-finals, bowing out to South Africa a fortnight ago, and a review of the tournament and future plans for the national team has now been completed by Gatland and his senior management staff.
Gatland has enjoyed considerable success during a Wales reign that started in early 2008, highlighted by Wales winning three Six Nations titles - including two Grand Slams - and reaching the 2011 World Cup semi-finals.
The review also spanned fitness and conditioning, medical care, analysis, support staff and coaching, with input from all the current personnel.
Gatland has confirmed his full confidence in the current management personnel and indicated his intention to maintain the present coaching team in full.
"We have had an extremely thorough review and I have subsequently spoken to all the coaches, ideally wanting them to stay in place until at least 2019," Gatland said in a statement on the Welsh Rugby Union website.
"I am aware that as a group and as individuals they have all developed strongly over recent years and can accurately be described as world-class.
"I want Wales to continue to benefit from that level of skill and excellence in the years ahead.
"We have already been through a significant change with the departure of our head of physical performance, Adam Beard, shortly before the Rugby World Cup, but Paul Stridgeon has proved an excellent replacement."
