Former Wales internationals Duncan Jones, Dan Lydiate and Rhys Patchell will return to Steve Tandy’s back-room team on an interim basis for the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations.
All three were part of the Wales men’s coaching set up for the four Quilter Nations Series matches at Principality Stadium last November.
Fifty-seven-cap and double Grand Slam winner Jones will again operate as scrum coach when he re-joins the Wales set up this Championship.
Lydiate, who won 72 Wales caps, two Grand Slams and played in all three Tests for the British and Irish Lions on the 2013 tour to Australia will continue to work closely with head coach Steve Tandy on defence during the campaign.
Patchell, who made 22 appearances for Wales between 2013 and 2023 including at RWC 2019, resumes responsibility for kicking as skills coach for Wales this Six Nations.
Speaking about the update Tandy said: “It’s great that Duncan, Dan and Rhys will be joining up with us again for the Guinness Six Nations and my thanks to the Ospreys and Dragons for allowing them this opportunity a second time. We’re all excited to get into camp next week and build on the foundations we established in the autumn.”
WRU director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin added: “Having Duncan, Dan and Rhys return to work alongside Steve, Danny and Matt allows us to maintain a good balance in the coaching team. That consistency and cohesion will help to continue to grow and develop the playing group.”
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Bydd cyn-chwaraewyr rhyngwladol Cymru Duncan Jones, Dan Lydiate a Rhys Patchell yn dychwelyd i dîm hyfforddi Steve Tandy ar gyfer Pencampwriaeth Chwe Gwlad Guinness 2026.
Bu’r tri’n cynorthwyo Steve Tandy ar gyfer pedair gêm Cyfres Hydref Quilter yn Stadiwm Principality fis Tachwedd diwethaf.
Bydd Jones, sydd â 57 cap i Gymru ac sydd wedi ennill y Gamp Lawn ddwywaith fel chwaraewr, unwaith eto’n hyfforddi’r sgrymiau ar gyfer y Bencampwriaeth hon.
Bydd Lydiate, enillodd ddwy Gamp Lawn ei hun a 72 o gapiau dros Gymru, yn ogystal â chwarae tair gêm Brawf dros y Llewod ar daith 2013 i Awstralia, yn parhau i weithio’n agos gyda’r Prif Hyfforddwr ar yr amddiffyn yn ystod yr ymgyrch sydd i ddod.
Bydd Patchell, wnaeth 22 ymddangosiad dros Gymru rhwng 2013 a 2023, gan gynnwys ymgyrch ei wlad yng Nghwpan Rygbi’r Byd 2019, yn parhau i ofalu am hyfforddiant sgiliau a chicio’r garfan.
Dywedodd Steve Tandy: “Mae’n wych bod Duncan, Dan a Rhys yn ymuno â ni eto ar gyfer Pencampwriaeth Chwe Gwlad Guinness, ac rwy’n ddiolchgar i’r Gweilch a’r Dreigiau am ganiatáu iddyn nhw ymuno gyda ni am yr eildro. Ry’n ni i gyd yn gyffrous i ddod i ddod at ein gilydd fel carfan yr wythnos nesaf er mwyn adeiladu ar y sylfeini osodwyd gennym yn yr Hydref.”
Ychwanegodd Cyfarwyddwr Rygbi a Pherfformiad Elît Undeb Rygbi Cymru, Dave Reddin: “Mae cael Duncan, Dan a Rhys yn dychwelyd i weithio gyda â Steve, Danny a Matt yn ein galluogi i gadw cydbwysedd da o fewn y tîm hyfforddi. Bydd y cysondeb a’r cydweithio hwnnw’n ein helpu i barhau i dyfu a datblygu fel grŵp.”
WALES 2026 GUINNESS SIX NATIONS FIXTURES
· Saturday 7 February: England v Wales, Allianz Stadium Twickenham – KO 16:40. Live on ITV and S4C.
· Sunday 15 February: Wales v France, Principality Stadium Cardiff – KO 15:10. Live on BBC and S4C.
· Saturday 21 February: Wales v Scotland, Principality Stadium Cardiff – KO 16:40. Live on BBC and S4C.
· Friday 6 March: Ireland v Wales, Aviva Stadium Dublin – KO 20:10. Live on ITV and S4C.
· Saturday 14 March: Wales v Italy, Principality Stadium Cardiff – KO 16:40. Live on BBC and S4C.
