He’s got a big new job and a new streamlined look. For Phil Davies, it’s very much a new beginning in a rugby life that spans more than four decades.
The former Wales international and much-travelled coach is now some three months into his role as World Rugby’s Director of Rugby, having taken over from ex-Ireland boss Joe Schmidt. Not to put too fine a point on it, he is just about the most powerful Welsh person in the sport.
He’s also in the best shape he’s been for years, having lost some five stone in the space of eight months, more on which later. You can read about Davies' eventful rugby journey here. First of all, how did his high-profile new job come about? He had began the year as director of rugby at Leeds Tykes, having returned to the club where he began his coaching career way back in 1996. But then everything changed when his phone rang out of the blue.
“I had a phone call off these headhunters asking if I would be interested in the job and I thought ‘Right, OK, that’s interesting’. I had a few interviews with people at the top of World Rugby and here I am,” he says.
“I feel a little humbled in a way. It’s a big role and very demanding, but it’s just a wonderful opportunity. I am just three months in now and getting my feet under the table. I’m building relationships more than anything at the moment.”
It’s a role that’s really a culmination of a life spent in rugby, with Davies having played 350 games for his beloved Llanelli and won 46 Wales caps, in the back row and at lock, during a decade-long Test career. Then came coaching spells at Leeds, the Scarlets, Cardiff RFC, Wales U20s, Worcester, Cardiff Blues, RGC and Namibia, ahead of his return to Yorkshire.
“I have had some fantastic times and some times
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