For the former Ospreys and Dragons outside-half will be in Grenoble as Wales face France in the TikTok Women’s Six Nations.
He joined head coach Ioan Cunningham’s set-up earlier this season, having been a coach at the Dragons Academy and backs coach with unbeaten Championship team Pontypool.
Connor has been combining his Wales and Pontypool roles and, with their matches kicking off at almost the same time on Sunday, won’t be able to watch the latter’s final live.
But he hopes to be kept informed of the result of Pontypool’s clash with Ystrad Rhondda as the latest round of community finals are held at the Principality Stadium.
“To be fair to the club, Pontypool have been excellent since I was appointed to the Wales Women’s team. I would have liked to have been at the Championship final but clearly can’t as I’m employed by the WRU. I will try to keep an eye on it but it will be difficult,” said Connor.
Wales travel by bus through the Alps to Parma in Italy for their Women’s Six Nations finale following the clash with a France team that has beaten Italy, Ireland and Scotland to challenge England at the top of the table.
Shaun Connor keeps a close eye on a Wales Women training session
France will be favourites against Wales, who defeated Ireland and Scotland before losing heavily to World Cup runners-up England at Cardiff Arms Park last weekend.
“We started really well and for 30 minutes were perhaps the better team but we didn’t take our chances and a few decisions went against us with the TMO,” said Connor.
“I’m enjoying both my roles, with Wales and Pontypool. I see them as complementing each other. Being part of the women’s management has been quite refreshing. With the women, there’s more space on the field and it’s a good game to watch.
“Coaching is similar, whether it’s women or men. I’ve been able to do both because the women train in the morning and Pontypool in the evening.
“The style of play is not really that different although there’s probably a little less kicking in the women’s game. We try to encourage them to find space.”
A perfect weekend for Connor would be Wales upsetting the French and Pontypool lifting the Championship Cup. But, as he says, nothing can be taken for granted!
