Former Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap has been named head of women's coaching and development by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU). In her new role, Lillicrap will oversee the development of a cohesive coaching system for female players aged 14 to 24, aiming to build a strong foundation for the future of women's rugby in Wales. This appointment comes after Lillicrap retired from international rugby in 2022, following 51 caps for the national team. She previously served as the WRU's pathway manager and women’s under-18s head coach, where she helped manage player development centers in different regions of Wales. Lillicrap expressed her enthusiasm for the new role, saying she is "incredibly excited" to contribute her experience and knowledge to further develop the women's and girls' rugby pathway in Wales. She highlighted the progress made during her time with the Wales U18s team and as performance pathway manager, noting that many players have successfully moved on to senior teams. Her goal is to continue building a system that nurtures both talent and personal growth, ultimately helping Welsh rugby achieve success at the highest level. As women’s under-18s coach, Lillicrap led Wales to a 32-24 victory over England in the 2026 U18s Six Nations Festival, showcasing her ability to develop young talent. Rhys Long, the WRU’s technical director, praised her appointment, calling it a "key appointment" that reflects the growing popularity and investment in women's rugby across Wales. Long emphasized Lillicrap's extensive playing experience as a former Wales captain, along with her prior role managing player development centers for women's and girls' rugby. Lillicrap was among the first 12 players to receive full-time WRU contracts for Wales women in 2022, a significant step in professionalizing the women's game in the country. Her new role is expected to further strengthen the WRU's commitment to growing the women's rugby pathway, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of talent for the future.