Hayward, who joined the WRU three years ago from Sale Sharks, will leave his post at the end of the month to join the Scarlets coaching team on a full time basis.
Hayward was Wales Under 20 backs coach for two seasons, playing a key role in the side reaching the Junior World Championship semi-final in 2012 and the final in 2013, before taking over from Danny Wilson as head coach this season.
National Performance Manager Gethin Watts said, “We wholeheartedly congratulate Byron on his new role. It is the next step in a successful coaching career to date following the opportunities he’s had as WRU national academy skills coach, with Wales Under 20 and previously with Sale Sharks after retiring from playing.
“He has experienced one of the highest profile rugby tournaments in the world in the Junior World Championship, achieving excellent results, and has a great understanding of player development through both roles which will no doubt stand him in good stead in the future.
“This appointment comes on the back of other WRU employees who have recently gone on to earning professional coaching contracts, within the Welsh Regions and outside of Wales, such as Dale McIntosh, Paul John, Danny Wilson and Gruff Rees, while others have done the same in areas such as strength and conditioning, analysis and rugby management.”
Hayward added, “The quality of rugby I’ve experienced at Junior World Championship tournaments is very close to senior, professional rugby – the most recent example being South African outside half Handre Pollard who won his first full cap a week after captaining South Africa Under 20 to the final of the Junior World Championship.
“That, along with my work as a WRU academy skills coach, which has given me a unique insight into technical development of players, and previous coaching with Sale, has combined to provide me with the experience I need to take on this role.”
