A former Aberavon centre and backs coach, Wales Under 16 and Hartpury College Under 18 coach, and more recently the Bath Rugby assistant academy manager, Maddocks has linked up with the Dragons squad ahead of this weekend’s opening pre-season friendlies against Montpellier on Friday night and Northampton Saints on Saturday.
Maddocks, who made 83 appearances for the Wizards between 1998-2006, launched his coaching career as a Rugby Development Officer for the WRU, working with the Scarlets and then the Ospreys. He has also coached the England men’s and women’s sevens squads.
His appointment comes the week after Jackman announced that South African Hendre Marnitz, a former Blue Bulls Currie Cup head coach, was heading to Rodney Parade to act as defence coach. He, too, is currently with the squad in France.
“Barry has been on my radar for a while as he is an outstanding skills coach. He is from Wales, but has picked up valuable experience in England through working at both Hartbury and Bath.”
“We need to make sure that all of our players, both young and old, have access to someone of his expertise to help them develop the all-round skill set that is required to play elite rugby.”
Last season’s forwards coach, Ceri Jones, and backs coach, Shaun Connor, have remained in place under Jackman’s guidance.
