Lynn to unlock Wales' potential by creating 'one family'

Wales' new head coach Sean Lynn could barely contain his pride during his unveiling at the Principality Stadium.

Dressed sharply in suit and red tie, Lynn opened the press conference with intent.

"I'm Welsh, I'm coming home and I'm super excited," he said.

It would appear the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) got their man, with Lynn the frontrunner to succeed Ioan Cunningham who left his post in November.

Born and raised in Swansea, Lynn ticks a lot of boxes. He has been involved in women's rugby for five years and has two Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) trophies in his cabinet.

But even the potential of a third with Gloucester-Hartpury this season was not enough quench his burning international ambitions.

"I want to be in the international arena," he said, "I'm very convinced I can make an impact here."

Lynn has signed a three-year deal, but will be allowed to see out the PWR season before taking the helm with Wales in time for the Six Nations.

Changing the culture

Creating the right environment with Wales is among Lynn's top priorities - he must have mentioned it a dozen times during the press interviews.

And that is music to the ears of WRU critics, especially after a 2023 review found aspects of its culture were sexist, misogynistic, racist and homophobic.

The women's side also had to deal with a long-running contract row last year, which saw the WRU apologise for the way it had been handled.

"My big pitch was making sure that we set the right environment," said Lynn.

"That's how I set the tone with the player group and the staff, that's the piece where we all need to be aligned.

"It's not just about what you do on the pitch, it's everything you create off the pitch."

Lynn also emphasised they will become "one family", with pathway players described as "future family".

He is also on the lookout for lost family - by bringing in Wales-qualified players.

"Kate Williams is a great example. She was out in New Zealand and has reconnected to come back to Wales and is going very well in PWR," Lynn added.

Sean Lynn has won back-to-back PWR titles with Gloucester-Hartpury

Unlocking potential

After successive third place finishes in the 2022 and 2023 Six Nations, Wales soared to an all-time high of sixth in the world rankings.

But the turmoil of 2024 saw them win just four from 11 Tests and slump to 10th.

It was a massive under-achievement for a professional side with 37 full-time contracts, especially when players were performing well for their PWR clubs.

Lynn admits there will be no quick fix, but is confident he can have the team prepared in time for the Rugby World Cup which kicks off in England in August.

"I feel like there's massive talent there, the girls are shining lights in the PWR," he said, singling out the likes of Harlequins duo Kayleigh Powell and Alex Callender.

"It's so inspiring for me, but also in the Celtic Challenge, I've been watching Brython and Gwalia and there are individuals who are really stepping up there.

"But more importantly the pathway is looking very strong too."

Siwan Lillicrap (left) and Sean Lynn have close family ties and links to Waunarlwydd RFC

People over players

The reaction to Lynn's appointment has been hugely positive.

Former Wales fly-half Elinor Snowsill said: "I haven't heard a single person who's been coached by him who has a bad word.

"His big strength is his emotional intelligence and how he manages people. It's person first rather than player first and I think that's going to be important for bringing this whole group together."

Former Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap played under Lynn at Gloucester-Hartpury and says it is an "exceptional" appointment.

"He seems to get the best out of those Welsh girls in Gloucester-Hartpury, they perform week-in and week-out," she said.

"The other positive is how many other Welsh girls we've got in other PWR sides and he's obviously watching them or playing against them and analysing, so he's fully aware of the talent."

Former Wales prop Cerys Hale said she "couldn't think of anyone better for the role."

She described Lynn as "someone who really made me fall in love with the game when I thought I was done, and embedded a family culture at Gloucester-Hartpury that I will forever be grateful to be a part of."