Nigel Walker tonight emerged as the clear favourite to become Wales' new team manager. The former Olympic sprint hurdler and 17-times capped Wales wing is seen as an obvious replacement for David Pickering, who quit following yesterday's 33-23 Six Nations Championship victory over Italy in Rome.
Walker is already part of the Wales management set-up - working in a player development capacity - and like Pickering, has the public profile required for such a figurehead position. Pickering stepped down last night, citing "personal and business" reasons for his decision, having worked alongside Welsh coach Graham Henry since 1998. And with the former Wales captain urging that future team managers should be full-time appointments, Walker seems an ideal candidate to fill that position.
Filed by Pat Nugent
