Wales poach Leicester's Alex Davies as full-time kicking coach ahead of Nations Championship

Wales have hired Leicester Tigers assistant coach Alex Davies as a full-time kicking specialist, with the 40-year-old departing Welford Road with immediate effect and set to join Steve Tandy’s backroom staff on 1 September.

Davies will work closely with attack coach Matt Sherratt and will lead the development of Wales’ senior men’s kicking philosophy. Crucially, his remit extends beyond Test windows — he will work with players throughout the year and contribute to the wider Welsh Rugby DNA across the pathway.

The former Bath, Yorkshire Carnegie and London Welsh fly-half retired from a 16-year playing career in 2020 before moving into coaching. He subsequently worked with Wasps, the Red Roses, the Netherlands national team and Rosslyn Park before joining Leicester three years ago — initially on a part-time basis before stepping into a permanent role on Geoff Parling’s staff. His work alongside Tigers fly-half Billy Searle drew particular praise last season.

Head coach Tandy welcomed the appointment. “It’s great to have Alex join the coaching team. He’s a very talented coach who will be another asset for us as a group. I can’t wait for him to join us and to help continue shaping our identity as we head into the next phase of the Nations Championship with our three home games this November.”

Davies said he was proud to take on the challenge. “I’m incredibly proud to be joining Wales as kicking coach, working under Steve Tandy and alongside an outstanding coaching team. It’s a huge honour to represent Welsh rugby and an opportunity I’m extremely grateful for.”

WRU Director of Rugby and Elite Performance Dave Reddin added that Davies “impressed in a highly competitive interview process” and would add value both to Tandy’s coaching team and the broader Welsh Rugby DNA programme.

At Leicester, Parling thanked Davies for his contribution, saying he “coaches with real enthusiasm and drive to improve.” The Premiership club confirmed that a replacement will be announced next week, with his departure creating another vacancy in their coaching set-up ahead of the new season.