Welsh wizard to train English players (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Welsh wizard to train English players

CIRENCESTER College's Welsh rugby union coach has been appointed to train the cream of England's student players.

Chris Davies, 28, originally from Swansea, has become Backs Coach for England Colleges Rugby.

While remaining in his post at the Stroud Road college's sports science lecturer and physical education coach, Chris will hold monthly coaching session for the backs in a team comprising England's most talented student players.

They will play their counterparts from the Home Nations, their first match being against the Boys Club of Wales at Clifton on Sunday, February 5.

Seeing the post advertised on the British College of Sport website, Chris applied for it.

Short-listed for the role, he underwent a selection process that saw him interviewed and observed while coaching.

He said: "It was the attraction of working with the best students from England's colleges.

"I thought it was time to take a step up."

Next year, he plans to apply for the corresponding role with British Colleges Rugby, which fields a team comprising the best English, Welsh and Scottish players.

There is a proposal for this team to tour China next year.

Soon after becoming the college's' sports science lecturer and physical education coach in September, having been a public services lecturer there for a year, Chris formed the campus' rugby development squad.

The squad boasts 34 players, aged 17-21, and takes 22-strong contingents to the friendly matches it plays.

They have already played Hartpury College and competed in the Daily Mail Schools Cup for under-18s.

Matches against Swansea College and South Africa's Michael House School have been arranged.

Chris' brother, Nigel, was a renowned player for Neath rugby club before moving to Cwmgors, the legendary Gareth Edwards' club.

Chris himself played centre for Cwmgoers' juniors and Neath College.

Joining the Royal Air Force Regiment at the age of 17, he played for the RAF's U-21 and A rugby teams during his four-and-a-half years' service.

Having coached rugby since the age of 17, he studied sports science and coaching at university in Plymouth after leaving the RAF and obtained his Welsh Rugby Union coaching qualification.

He also played for Brixham rugby club.