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- Aled Walters is renowned as one of the best conditioning coaches in his field
- Walters followed Steve Borthwick to England from Leicester Tigers in 2022
- The Welshman will now become Ireland’s head of athletic performance
England’s promising development under Steve Borthwick has been hit by a significant blow after their head of strength and conditioning Aled Walters joined Six Nations rivals Ireland.
Head coach Borthwick guided England to a bronze medal at last year’s World Cup and his team also impressed at the end of the 2024 Six Nations against Ireland and France to finish third.
They also pushed New Zealand hard in two Tests in the southern hemisphere last month. Walters has been a key part of the England set-up in the last 18 months.
He is renowned as one of the best in his field and was a key lieutenant to Borthwick as the pair worked together to win the Gallagher Premiership with Leicester Tigers in 2022.
His move to Six Nations champions Ireland is as big a boost for Andy Farrell’s side as it is a negative for Borthwick and England. Walters followed Borthwick to England having previously played a vital part in South Africa winning the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
England’s head of strength and conditioning, Aled Walters, will leave his role and join Ireland
Walters (right) is renowned as one of the best in his field when it comes to conditioning
The Welshman will move from the England set-up to join their Six Nations rivals Ireland
Walters is understood to have been keen on a return to Ireland for some time having worked there with Munster between 2012 and 2018. He will leave England this summer and not be a part of their set-up for their November matches with South Africa, New Zealand, Japan and Australia.
‘We’d like to thank Aled for his contribution to England,’ said Borthwick.
‘Aled is an excellent coach and has worked hard to help develop the current squad over the past 12 months. He leaves with our very best wishes for the future.’
Borthwick and Calvin Morriss, the RFU’s head of athletic performance, have already begun the recruitment process to identify Walters’ replacement.
‘I am delighted to join the Ireland men’s team and am excited about the opportunity to work with such a talented group of coaches and players,’ Walters said.
‘The Ireland team has gone from strength to strength in recent years and it’s an exciting time to rejoin Irish rugby as the team looks to achieve more success in the years to come.
‘I’ve made some great memories coaching England and I want to thank Steve, the management team, and the players for their friendship and support.
‘I wish the squad every success for the future.’
It comes as England have been impressing under the guidance of Borthwick, having pushed New Zealand to the edge in their recent Test match series
Walters stated he had ‘made some great memories coaching England and wanted to thank Steve’
Walters (left) followed Borthwick (right) to England alongside current assistants Kevin Sinfield and Richard Wigglesworth from Leicester Tigers
Walters joins an Ireland side that has grown hugely under the guidance of Farrell.
The men in green are currently ranked second in World Rugby’s rankings and have won the last two Six Nations titles.
Although they were beaten by New Zealand in the quarter-finals of last year’s World Cup, there can be no doubt they are currently the best team in the northern hemisphere.
Ireland’s most recent display saw them beat double world champions South Africa away from home for only the second time as they shared a 1-1 series draw with the Springboks.
Welshman Walters will become Ireland’s head of athletic performance.
Farrell, who will take a backseat from his Ireland role to coach the British & Irish Lions in Australia in 2025, said: ‘We are delighted Aled has agreed to join the Ireland team. He has a wealth of experience and has been a key part of many successful environments over the course of his career to date.
Walters will become head of athletic performance in the Ireland set-up led by head coach Andy Farrell, centre
‘I know how excited he is to return to Ireland and hit the ground running and I’m confident he’ll play an important role in the squad as we embark on a busy international season, starting with the Autumn Nations Series this November.
‘Aled replaces Jason Cowman who departed after the Six Nations success in March.
‘Jason contributed a huge amount to Irish rugby over 15 years and we thank him for his incredible service over that time.’
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