Harlequins Women are delighted to confirm the arrival of Damian Welch as Forwards Coach ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Welch arrives in TW2 with an impressive coaching pedigree, having previously been Head Coach at Plymouth Albion and Forwards Coach at both Taunton Titans and Exeter University.
His playing career saw him represent Exeter Chiefs, Cardiff Blues and Scarlets at elite level.
Welch will begin his role with Harlequins ahead of the start of the 2025/26 PWR season, with Pat Metcalfe-Jones continuing to look after the forwards during the PWR Cup.
Head of Women’s Rugby Andy Rhys Jones said: “We’re delighted to confirm that Damian will be joining us as Forwards Coach ahead of the 2025/26 season. Damian is a high-quality operator with a wealth of experience across different levels of the game and a proven track record of success. We’re excited about the expertise he will bring to our set-piece and the role he will play in strengthening a crucial area of our game.”
“We feel that he will complement what is already an already impressive coaching group, led by Ross Chisholm as Head Coach. With Ross, Damian, Chris and Pat, we feel that we have assembled a coaching team that has a great balance and real drive to achieve the results we want to in the season ahead, whilst getting the best out of our playing squad,” he continued.
Rhys Jones also credited the work that Pat Metcalfe-Jones has done during pre-season, creating a strong base for Welch to build from in his new role.
“I also want to recognise the outstanding work Pat has done with the forwards throughout pre-season. She has created a fantastic platform that has put the group in a strong position going into this opening block of cup fixtures. This work ensures Damian inherits a strong base to build from in his new role. Pat will now continue to lead our pathway programmes, with a focus on our university and transition programme, while also supporting in the forwards space.”
Upon confirmation of his arrival as Forwards Coach, Welch added: “I’m hugely excited to join the Harlequins Women’s programme at a great time for the sport and for the Club in particular. The positivity and promise within the programme are clear to see and there is a great drive and ambition to improve on last season’s efforts and push the squad further and higher. Having spoken to Ross, Andy and crucially, some of the playing squad, it feels as if there is something very special building at Harlequins and I can’t wait to get involved.”
Welch’s arrival confirms the Harlequins Women’s Senior Coaching Ticket for the new campaign, with Head Coach Ross Chisholm supported by Chris Laidlaw as Defence Coach, Welch as Forwards Coach and Pat Metcalfe-Jones as Women’s Pathway Manager.
A further announcement confirming the University of Surrey Pathway Coaching setup will follow in due course.
Harlequins Women’s Senior Coaching Structure 2025/26:
Head of Women’s Rugby: Andy Rhys Jones
Head Coach: Ross Chisholm
Defence Coach: Chris Laidlaw
Forwards Coach: Damian Welch
Women’s Pathway Manager: Pat Metcalfe-Jones
With thanks to Harlequins
