DEAN SCULLY has succeeded Clive Griffiths as coach of Wales Students.
Scully, who is a former Wales Students international, is the coach of Aberavon Fighting Irish, who he steered to title success in the JES Group Rugby League Conference in 2024 and 2025.
His coaching experience includes stints with West Wales and the Wales Dragonhearts while he has also assisted with the Wales A-team and senior squads.
On the field, meanwhile, he enjoyed a successful playing career with Aberavon Fighting Irish (he captained Aberavon in the first Wales Rugby League Grand Final in 2003), Celtic Crusaders and South Wales Scorpions, in addition to earning twelve caps with Wales Students, for whom he debuted against Scotland in the 2003 Four Nations.
He was a member of the Welsh side who topped the Student Four Nations, on home soil, in 2004, and he was in the squad in the following year’s Student Rugby League World Cup in Brisbane.
He said: “It’s a great privilege to be given the opportunity to head up the Wales Students programme, which is something that is close to my heart as it gave me my first opportunity to play this great game.
“I have big shoes to fill after Clive decided to step back from his role but I hope that I can use my experience to develop the squad and also pay a little bit back to Student Rugby League.
“Student Rugby League brought me many memories and opportunities I will forever be thankful for. I can’t wait to get started on bringing the next crop of talent through, and I’m already looking forward to the competitive games against Ireland, Scotland and then England.
“Jarad Vanagas, Rob Apsee and Gareth Groves are all staying on board and that will provide some continuity as they have worked with some of the returning players in previous years.
“In addition, we are strengthening our backroom team. Ben Jackson brings outstanding strength and conditioning expertise and together we will build a Wales side who are strong, skilled and ready for the challenge.”
Eligible players can apply for a trial for the Wales Students squad by visiting https://wrl.wales/wales-students-2026-27-programme-kicks-off.
Players who are Welsh, or have a Welsh parent/grandparent and are in further education (including sixth form) qualify, as do players who attend a Welsh university.
