FORMER RGC Women’s star Rachel Taylor has secured a coaching role with a leading international side.

The ex-Welsh captain and current head coach at WRU National League Division Two North side Colwyn Bay has been confirmed as the forwards coach for the Barbarians ahead of their clash against Wales Women on November 30 at the Principality Stadium.

Also joining the Barbarians’ set-up is Liza Burgess, another former Welsh captain with a wealth of experience on the international stage.

Both Taylor and Burgess have 129 caps between them, with the pair also part of the Crawshay women’s coaching staff during their fixture on November 23.

Taylor, said: “It’s a massive honour to be invited to join the ranks of the Barbarians, be it as player or coach. I finished my playing career playing for them which was really special and I’ve kept in touch with a lot of players and coaches.

“I learned a lot from Giselle Mather and the rest of the female coaching team last year and it will be the same again with Jo Yapp I’m sure.

“You can’t get a better role model than Liza Burgess. She has done everything that can be done as a player and is now a real driver for women to take up coaching, I’m still at the start of my coaching journey and has encouraged me so much already.

“She’s a trailblazer – I’ve seen her doing these things which gives me confidence to do them too.”

Taylor made history last summer when she became the first female head coach in the domestic game at the Bay, where she steadied a once-struggling side to mid-table safety and masterminded a notable increase in performance levels as the campaign progressed.