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Wales’ McBryde to join Leinster after Rugby World Cup

RobinMcBryde
Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde says he’s looking forward to continuing European champions Leinster’s success after agreeing to join the Irish province post-World Cup.

Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde says he’s looking forward to continuing European champions Leinster’s success after agreeing to join the Irish province post-World Cup.

Former hooker McBryde has coached the national side for 13 years after retiring from his playing career in 2005, having earned 37 caps.

McBryde went straight into coaching after hanging up his boots and was named Wales forwards coach in 2006 under Gareth Jenkins, continuing when Warren Gatland came on board in 2008 and helping deliver three Guinness Six Nations Grand Slams and one further Championship title.

“I am delighted to be joining Leinster,” he said. “They are one of the standout teams in Europe, with a strong identity and a proud history, and I am really looking forward to starting with them later this year.

“I see it as a great opportunity to join a very experienced and exciting coaching team and to help continue Leinster’s great successes.

“They are a world-renowned team, with passionate supporters and I am looking forward to working with the squad and the coaches.

“I’m hugely proud of my time with Wales, and it has been an honour to coach my country.

“I have never taken it for granted and it has been a hugely rewarding experience to have been part of the coaching team under Warren Gatland and the success we have had over the years.

“I am thrilled to have secured my future with Leinster post-Rugby World Cup, and it now allows me to focus all my energy on the task at hand with Wales.”

McBryde also led Wales on three separate occasions as head coach, for the 2009 tour to USA and Canada, to Japan in 2013 and a two-Test tour to the Pacific in 2017.

He will link up with Leinster after the Rugby World Cup in November, and fills a vacancy on the coaching team with Leinster having today announced current scrum coach John Fogarty will join the Irish Rugby Football Union.

Fogarty is to join the IRFU in July to take up the role of national academy forwards coach, also assuming the role of national scrum coach after the World Cup.