Former Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell is set to embark on a new chapter in his rugby career, joining Italian club Benetton as an assistant coach under his former mentor Wayne Pivac.
Patchell, 32, who recently retired from playing, has been appointed as the attack coach for the United Rugby Championship (URC) side. This move reunites him with Pivac, who previously coached him at both the Scarlets and the Welsh national team.
"It's an exciting opportunity to become part of a team with a squad full of high-quality players," said Patchell.
Pivac, who signed a two-year contract with Benetton in March, expressed his enthusiasm about working with Patchell again.
"I'm pleased to reconnect with Rhys after coaching him at the Scarlets and with the Welsh national team," Pivac stated. "The last time we worked together was in Japan, where Rhys took on a player-coach role, focusing on attack and mentoring younger players. He had an outstanding playing career, leading the attack wearing the number 10 jersey. We share the same vision of the game. We want to play a style that excites both players and fans."
Benetton president Antonio Pavanello revealed that Patchell's appointment was a top priority for Pivac.
"Wayne made specific requests, only a few, but very precise," Pavanello explained. "Among these was the choice of Patchell, which we carefully evaluated and decided to support, convinced he is the right fit for our path. We are confident he can make a significant contribution to the team's development and that his work will translate into tangible results on the field."
Patchell has been serving in a part-time consultancy role with the Dragons this season, his first senior coaching position. Dragons coach Filo Tiatia acknowledged Patchell's contributions and wished him well in his new full-time role overseas.
"Rhys has been an important member of our team throughout this season as he has imparted his knowledge and experience onto our players," Tiatia said. "He's a young coach who has an opportunity to take on a full-time role overseas and take the next step in his coaching journey, after his recent playing retirement. Rhys will leave with our thanks for his efforts throughout this season and best wishes as his young family start a new adventure in Italy."
Patchell will continue his duties with the Dragons until the end of the current season before making the move to Treviso, Italy, where Benetton is based. The club competes in the URC and aims to build on its recent performances with this new coaching partnership.