Dan Baugh has joined the Wales national squad management team as assistant strength and conditioning coach, it was confirmed last week.
Baugh, the former Canadian internationals and Cardiff flanker, takes up the position with immediate effect, leaving his post as the Cardiff Blues conditioning coach and ending a 13 year association with the club as a player and coach.
He joins Wales in time to aid preparations for the upcoming DHL International clash with the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium (Saturday, KO 2.30pm) and will then play an integral role in preparing the side for their Rugby World Cup bid next September.
Baugh worked with head coach Warren Gatland and the national squad head of strength and conditioning Adam Beard on attachment during the recent RBS 6 Nations tournament, but is now able to bring his skills to the national cause on a full-time basis.
“After 13 years with the Blues Dan has all the experience and in depth knowledge of the playing talent in Wales necessary to have been able to hit the ground running when he joined us this week,” said Beard.
“He is an enthusiastic and highly driven motivator who already has a clear understanding of the Welsh national squad set-up.
“He knows what it takes to create and maintain an international rugby player in the modern game in terms of their training, having not just been there and done it himself but having worked at the top level of the game with the Blues in that role and he has also been educated in the field to a very high standard.
“Dan understands the science behind our training methods and will form an integral part of our team working towards maintaining and developing the very best athletes possible for Welsh rugby.”
Baugh, who has a masters degree inKinesiology, ended his playing career in 2005 due to a foot injury, but remained on the coaching staff at the Blues, first as a defence coach, and then as a conditioning coach.
“I’m very excited about the new role,” said Baugh. “I’ve been at the Blues and Cardiff for a long time and really enjoyed working with the team.
“Obviously Dai Young has played a huge part in my career and I’d like to thank him for giving me the opportunity to coach.
“It all starts with the Wales match against the Barbarians on Saturday, so it will be interesting to be facing Dai (who is the Baa-Baas head coach).
“We then have the warm up games against England and Argentina and have a two camps in Poland during the summer in preparation to get it right for September and October and I’m very much looking forward to the challenges ahead.
