Bevan leaves WRU for Leicester Tigers role

Huw Bevan has previously worked for USA Rugby, Ospreys, Newport Gwent Dragons and the England and Wales Cricket Board

Leicester Tigers have appointed Welsh Rugby Union interim performance director Huw Bevan as their head of rugby operations.

Bevan has held the interim position with the Welsh governing body since April 2023 and will leave for the Prem club in December.

The role that Evans takes on has been newly established following an off-field restructure at the East Midlands side.

It came after general manager Richard Wilks left Leicester in the summer and recently retired club great Dan Cole took up a role as recruitment and retention manager.

Bevan, who worked for USA Rugby for five years before taking up his role with the WRU, sees the Tigers position as a "brilliant opportunity".

"There wouldn't be many other jobs that would make me want to leave Wales, but this is one of the great clubs with a rich rugby history," Edwards told Leicester's website.

The move to Leicester sees Bevan return to English sport for the first time since he worked as strength and conditioning coach of England's national cricket team between 2009 to 2014.

Bevan, who worked in the fitness departments at Welsh rugby union sides Cardiff and Ospreys earlier in his career, most recently worked in the domestic game with Dragons before joining USA Rugby in 2018.

He moved back to Welsh rugby to replace Nigel Walker more than two years ago, and it was only in January this year that Bevan had been talking of his belief that changes made by the WRU would help the men's national team return to the world's elite.

The Wales men's team are at a statistical all-time low as they sit 12th in the world rankings, with Bevan saying the WRU has previously taken its "eye off the ball" in its succession planning.

WRU director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin said the governing body is "hugely grateful" for the work done by Bevan, and added that "future structures for the performance department" will now be considered.