There’s a not-so-secret weapon inside England’s ranks as they put together for the 2023 Rugby World Cup… And he’s Welsh!

Aled Walters has teamed up with Steve Borthwick’s England set-up this summer time, right here’s all it’s essential to know concerning the head of power and conditioning…

Ten issues it is best to learn about Aled Walters

1. Born in Camarthen, Walters grew up as a ‘staunch Scarlets fan’ and was within the crowd when his future membership Leicester Tigers defeated Llanelli within the 2002 European Cup semi-final, a match greatest remembered for Tim Stimpson’s long-range penalty kick.

2. Regardless of successful a World Cup and holding one of many high jobs in English rugby, Walters doesn’t have a Wikipedia web page.

3. Walters accomplished a Bachelor of Science diploma in Bodily Training and Sports activities Science at Loughborough College in 2002 earlier than finishing his Grasp of Science, Power and Conditioning at Edinburgh.

4. Spent 4 seasons with the Scarlets earlier than occurring his travels and taking the function of head of power and conditioning at Taranaki in New Zealand earlier than transferring to Australia and a place as athletic efficiency coach on the Brumbies in Tremendous Rugby.

4. In 2012 he moved to Munster and spent six years with the Irish provinces as its head of athletic efficiency/power and conditioning.

5. The Springboks got here calling in 2018 and a 12 months later, Walters had a World Cup winners medal round his neck after serving to South Africa to raise a 3rd Webb Ellis Cup – defeating England within the ultimate. Springboks centre Jesse Kriel advised RugbyPass that Walters was “considered one of or if not the most effective within the enterprise”.

6. Joined Leicester Tigers in Could 2020 and his arrival at Mattioli Woods Welford Highway was known as a ‘recreation changer’ by then-director of rugby, Geordan Murphy.

Handré Pollard in motion on the 2019 Rugby World Cup (Getty Photographs)

7. When Handre Pollard joined Tigers in the summertime of 2022, he described Walters as being ‘world class’ and a key cause why he selected Tigers over different extra profitable affords.

8. Tigers rose from successive bottom-of-the-table finishes (factoring out Saracens’ factors deduction in 2019-20) to complete sixth in 2020-21 and attain the European Problem Cup ultimate. In season two, Walters helped information Leicester to the 2021-22 Premiership title.

9. Steve Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield left Tigers halfway by the 2022-23 season to assist type England’s new teaching staff. Walters adopted them to Twickenham on the finish of the marketing campaign, together with fellow Tigers backroom employees Richard Wigglesworth and Tom Harrison.

10. Walters obtained excessive reward from Borthwick when his England swap was confirmed, he mentioned: “Aled is a wonderful efficiency coach who had an unbelievable impression with the Rugby World Cup holders, South Africa. Wherever he has labored, gamers enhance. I’ve by no means met anybody who is ready to get extra out of gamers than he does.”

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