Wales appoint Paul Berry as men's coach

Wales Rugby League is delighted to announce that Paul Berry has been appointed as the new Head Coach of the Senior Men’s team.

The 41-year-old is the most successful youth coach in Wales Rugby League history, leading the Wales 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.

Berry first joined Wales Rugby League in 2019 as assistant to Lee Crooks as part of the Wales U16 programme. In 2021, he was promoted to head coach of the Wales U17 side, in the one year that it ran post-Covid, before taking over in Wales U16.

Promoted to Head of Youth in 2023, in addition to his Wales U16 role, he has since overseen more than 40 Welsh players earning Scholarships and Academy contracts with various Super League clubs.

He has spent over a decade working for Warrington Wolves as part of their junior development and scholarship programmes and will remain in his current position at Warrington alongside his Wales role. He has also spent time on the player pathway staff at Salford Red Devils and was also one of the coaches who famously led Rochdale Hornets to a League 1 promotion final win in Toulouse. 

“I’m excited for the challenge,” said Berry. “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.

“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 will be assisted by former Wales international, Damian Gibson, plus Liam Bostock, who was Berry’s assistant in the Wales U16 side for a number of years.

Bostock has also coached as part of the St. Helens setup for five years, with both their Scholarship and Reserve sides. As a player, he turned out in Super League for the Saints, as well as playing for Rochdale Hornets and Pilkington Recs in his career.

Gibson played for Wales 18 times between 1998 and 2008, scoring eight tries, and captained the side for two games in 2004. This will be his second spell as Wales assistant coach, having been involved during Iestyn Harris’ reign. He has also coached in the Leeds Rhinos junior and senior set-ups. As a player, he turned out for North Queensland Cowboys, Leeds, Halifax, Salford Red Devils, Castleford Tigers and Sheffield Eagles.

“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.”

Wales Rugby League Chief Executive, Richard Hibbard, said: “We’re delighted that Paul will be the coach to lead our Men’s team.

“In his role as Wales U16 Head Coach and more recently, Head of Youth, he has been instrumental in creating the environment that allows the talent in our junior community game to shine. To have more than 40 players in Super League Scholarship and Academy setups is remarkable from where we were just a few years ago, and he has been central to that.

“As we look to put ourselves in the strongest possible position to qualify for the 2030 World Cup, we will no doubt see a changing of the guard within our senior squad. Paul inherits a really strong culture from John Kear, and we know he will add his own stamp to that alongside Liam and Damian.

“He has demonstrated excellence throughout his time involved with Wales Rugby League and set high standards for himself, the staff who work alongside him, and the players. Those are the foundations that will give us the best opportunity to be World Cup ready for 2030.”

WRL Director of Performance Clive Griffiths adds: “This is a great opportunity and challenge for Paul, and I’m delighted that he has progressed through our WRL coaching pathway to secure this lead role in the senior men’s programme.

“He has enjoyed eye-catching success as head of youth, player development and results and has earned the respect from the players and staff for the dedicated way he has gone about his work within Wales Rugby League.

“This appointment will also serve notice that the WRL coaching pathway is progressive and will reward the talented and dedicated men and women within our midst.

“As we look to transition this talented crop of young talent into senior rugby league, Paul’s knowledge of them both as players and as people will be invaluable.

“I’m confident the new senior coaching team – including our newly formed ‘A’ team staff – will take us forward to meet the exciting on-field challenges that lie in wait.”

Details of this year's fixtures for the Men’s team will be announced as soon as possible.