Berry succeeds Kear as Wales head coach

Paul Berry has shone in Wales age-group rugby league with a 100% winning record

Paul Berry has been appointed as the new Wales head coach, succeeding John Kear as the boss of the senior men's team after the 70-year-old stepped down early in July after more than a decade at the helm.

The 41-year-old Berry first joined the Wales set-up in 2019 as assistant to Lee Crooks as part of the Under-16 programme and in 2021 was promoted to head coach of the Wales U17 side in the one year that it ran post-Covid, before taking over the U16s.

Berry was promoted to head of youth in 2023 and is the most successful youth coach in Wales Rugby League history, leading the U16 side to home and away wins over England in 2022, followed by three successive U16 Four Nations titles - all with a 100% winning record.

"I'm excited for the challenge, I'm also really grateful for chairman James Davies, CEO Richard Hibbard, and the board for showing trust in me to lead the team moving forward," said Berry.

"Being involved over the last six years, I've seen first-hand the talent already within the pathway and I'm hoping these young players will come through over the next few years to add to the experienced group that we already have.

"That will provide a really balanced squad as we move forward to being World Cup-ready by 2030.

"The long-term goal is obviously to qualify for the 2030 World Cup, but shorter term I'm looking forward to seeing the team playing regular fixtures and giving some of the younger players an opportunity to pull on our famous red jersey.

"There's plenty of progress happening on and off the field at the moment, and I think we're entering a really exciting period for rugby league in Wales. I'm really pleased to be able to continue to play a part of it moving forward."

Berry has spent more than a decade working for Warrington Wolves in their junior development and scholarship programmes and will combine that role with his Wales duties.

He will be assisted by former Wales full-back Damian Gibson and Liam Bostock, who was Berry's assistant in the Wales U16 side for a number of years.

It will be Gibson's second spell as Wales assistant coach having been involved during Iestyn Harris' reign.

"I'm delighted to be able to have Liam and Damian supporting me as assistant coaches," Berry added.

"I think it's really important to have coaches involved who understand the history, heritage and culture of Wales Rugby League.

"Both are very experienced coaches in their own right and will bring a wealth of knowledge into the coaching group."