Former Wales international Lloyd White, has been appointed as Head Coach of Wales ‘A’.
Lloyd won 15 caps for the senior side during a career that saw him lift the European Cup in 2009 and 2010, play in the 2011 Four Nations and the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, both in England and Wales, and in the World Cup Nines in Sydney in 2019.
Also a Wales Students international, he helped the side to third place in the 2008 Student World Cup and was then a Students Four Nations winner in 2009.
He made over 200 senior professional club appearances in his career, including 150 in Super League. He started out at Celtic Crusaders, and also had spells at South Wales Scorpions, Widnes Vikings, Toulouse Olympique XII and Mackay Cutters. He is now the joint head coach at South Wales Jets, whom he has helped lead to three consecutive JES Group Conference Grand Finals, winning the first in 2023.
White will be assisted by Dean Scully, head coach of back-to-back JES Group Conference Champions, Aberavon Fighting Irish. Scully, who has been capped by Wales Dragonhearts, the side that represents the community game in Wales. He has also coached West Wales in the past, and has also been an assistant coach at the Dragonhearts.
The Wales ‘A’ squad will include a number of youngsters at professional clubs; some of the best players from Wales’ JES Rugby League Conference; and players who have impressed in other Wales representative teams in 2025. They will train alongside the first team in preparation to face the UK Armed Forces in a curtain raiser to the senior international against Ireland on Saturday 25 October at The Gnoll.
“I’m really pleased to be part of the new Wales setup,” White said. “It’s been a while since I’ve been involved, so it’s great to be back, reconnecting with some familiar faces and meeting new ones as well.
“The aim now is to help bridge the gap between the senior side and the young players turning out for professional club academy and reserves sides, as well as those players who might not quite be ready to step up just yet. For me, it’s a fantastic opportunity for them to learn from the experienced players in the Wales squad while also creating a clearer pathway for younger talent.”
Director of Performance, Clive Griffiths, added: “I am absolutely delighted to see Lloyd progress from his outstanding playing career into one of the most important coaching roles within our pathway. Our newly formed ‘A’ team.
“He thoroughly deserves this opportunity, and it seems fitting that the man I selected for his first Wales Students International jersey back in 2008, has developed into one of our leading senior coaches and form part of the new coaching panel responsible for developing the next generation of rugby league players in Wales.
“I am also delighted Dean will assist Lloyd with coaching the ‘A’ team.
“Dean has already shown his worth, helping to form a formidable team down at Aberavon. His continued Grand Final success with the Fighting Irish has shown what a talented coach he is.
“I’m sure that both Dean and Lloyd will get the best out of the young players within our A team set up so that they are ready for the next step up.”
The Wales “A” squad will be released later this afternoon.
Tickets are on sale for October’s double header at wrl.wales/tickets
