Lewsey named new head of rugby for Wales

England World Cup-winner Josh Lewsey was on Friday named as the new head of rugby for Wales. The 55-times capped ex-fullback and wing will join the Welsh Rugby Union at the end of September to take up his new role. In his 19-year career, Lewsey played for Bristol, Wasps, England and the British and Irish Lions before retiring in 2009. The 36-year-old, who has a Welsh mother, 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 Gatland and many of his backroom staff while at Wasps, winning two European Cups and four National Championships. "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," said Lewsey. "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." Gatland added: "I know Josh well from his playing days at Wasps and he is a determined and focused individual who will bring immense passion, energy and rugby knowledge to the role. "Josh will understand the strategies and procedures we have put in place at a senior national level and he will play a pivotal role in ensuring the whole of Welsh rugby operates in a joined-up structure." Source: AFP