FORMER Betws fly-half Gethin Watts has been appointed WRU national performance manager, taking charge of national and regional age-grade academy programmes.

Watts will be responsible for the development, delivery and management of the national academy, with a focus on player identification, development and the fulfilment of potential.

Watts will work closely with the head of rugby Joe Lydon, newly appointed national academy coaching manager Allan Lewis, national squad staff, WRU regionally-based performance managers, as well as schools, colleges, students and clubs.

Lydon said: "Gethin is a valuable key member of the team and this new role is essential to the development of the national age-grade strategic plans.

"Gethin's previous experience as a regional performance programme manager is of huge benefit as he's very aware of the operational systems in place as well as our collective aims and objectives within Welsh rugby."