Danny Wilson is a former Cardiff head coach who has also had spells with Dragons and Scarlets
Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson says his Wales role is just a secondment as he prepares to return to his club immediately following the two-Test tour of Japan in July.
Wales caretaker boss Matt Sherratt has included Wilson as his forwards coach in a new-look backroom staff.
Adam Jones (scrum), Gethin Jenkins (defence), Rhys Thomas (assistant forwards coach) and Leigh Halfpenny (skills) complete the coaching team, with previous assistants Mike Forshaw, Jonathan Humphreys, Rob Howley and Neil Jenkins not involved with the senior squad this summer.
“I was excited to get the opportunity and Harlequins were brilliant to allow me to do it,” said Wilson.
“It falls right in my break in terms of finishing with Harlequins and reviews. It would be a pre-season break for me and us as a group.
“When I finish this project, I get off a flight and back into work at Harlequins.”
Trading places
Wilson, who was Scotland forwards coach between 2018 and 2020, will get his first taste of the Wales international set-up after pulling out of the 2017 summer tour when he was initially appointed forwards coach.
Wilson was Sherratt’s boss in 2018 when the pair helped guide Cardiff to European Challenge Cup success. Seven years later, Sherratt will be in charge with Wilson as his assistant.
“I first worked with Matt at Bristol and then having seen how good he was I was desperate to bring him to Cardiff,” said Wilson.
“Then we had a good time together and we went our separate ways into different projects after a pleasing end by winning a bit of silverware together with Cardiff.”
Wilson says the pair work well together, although they are responsible for different areas.
“I’m very respectful of who is in the head coaching role,” said Wilson.
“Matt was supportive of me in our period together at Cardiff, and likewise me now.
“He’s picked up some great experience here and put in some great foundations in a short space of time during the Six Nations.
“If I can come in and help him in any way in this project, then that will be great.”
‘Exciting project’
Wales are on a record 17-match losing streak and are looking for a permanent head coach to replace Warren Gatland who departed in February.
Wilson, who has not been involved in Welsh rugby for seven years, believes Gatland’s successor will have an exciting project.
“Ultimately there’s been a fair amount of change from what I’ve witnessed, especially since my time in Wales,” said Wilson.
“There’s an amazing facility here and platform to build from. There’s an hour and 10 minutes from the Dragons to the Scarlets.
“That’s a huge advantage and using that in Wales and bringing four regions together and aligning as much as possible has got to be the project for the future.
“If that’s done, it’s exciting.”
Wilson continued: “There’s always talent in Wales, some have ended up over the bridge playing in England.
“It will take a bit of time to get where it needs to get and everyone is aware of that.
“There’s no magical dust to be sprinkled on something, it takes hard work and some changes to be made.
“Looking at it from afar, somebody who grabs hold of it now has got an exciting project ahead of them.”
Ending the losing run
Wilson knows the short-term plan is for Wales to break the losing cycle and win a Test match for the first time since October 2023.
Wales travel to face Eddie Jones’ Japan in Kitakyushu on 5 July before the trip to play in Kobe seven days later.
“The group here are extremely passionate about turning around this run of games and results,” said Wilson.
“It is tough for some of those boys who have been involved in this long run of games and we collectively need to break that cycle.
“One win can change and breed confidence, sometimes that’s the bounce of a ball.
“Once you get on the right side of that, in this group there’s quality rugby players who will flourish.”
