Siwan Lillicrap has been appointed as the first head of women's coaching and development by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU). In this newly created role, she will focus on delivering a cohesive coaching and development system for female players aged 14 to 24.

Lillicrap, who previously captained the Welsh national team and earned 51 caps, has been instrumental in her roles as the WRU's pathway manager and head coach for the women's under-18s since her retirement from international rugby in 2022.

In her capacity as pathways manager, the 38-year-old played a vital role in overseeing player development centres across east, west, and north Wales.

Expressing her enthusiasm, Lillicrap stated, "I am incredibly excited to take on this new role and bring my passion, knowledge and experience to this next chapter of developing our women's and girls' pathway." She emphasized the progress made over the past three and a half years, highlighting successful player transitions into senior environments.

Under her guidance, the Wales women's under-18s achieved a notable 32-24 victory over England during the 2026 U18s Six Nations Festival.

Rhys Long, WRU's technical director, remarked on the significance of this appointment, citing the growth in participation and coaching in women's rugby in Wales. He noted, "Siwan brings a wealth of playing experience as a former Wales captain, and her role as WRU pathway manager was key to her appointment."

Additionally, Lillicrap was among the first 12 players awarded full-time WRU contracts for Wales women in 2022, underscoring her commitment to advancing women's rugby in Wales.