FORMER Wales star Rachel Taylor is relishing her trailblazing new role as she looks to pass on her experience to the next generation of male and female rugby talent in the region.

The 67-times capped back-rower got down to work this week after becoming the first female regional academy skills coach in North Wales, which is the first of its kind in the country.

The North Wales pathway has produced the likes of George North, James King, Olly Cracknell, Afon Bagshaw, Sean Lonsdale and Rhun Williams for the male game in recent years, with women internationals including the likes of Jess Kavanagh and Gwenllian Pyrs.

Taylor, said: “It’s brand new, it’s exciting and it’s challenging.

“RGC as a team have created something from a blank sheet themselves and that’s the position I’m in now with this brand new skills role putting the male and female players in the best position for Welsh selection.

"We're big up here in North Wales on creating the right culture and the right learning environment for young players to develop and catch up with other rugby programmes across the world.

“There are massive times ahead and hopefully a bit of my playing experience and experience within my previous WRU roles, along with coaching Colwyn Bay will put me in a good place."

Taylor will work closely with new RGC head coach Matt Silva, who also has an academy skills role, academy manager Josh Leach and regional manager Marc Roberts as she helps young players along the pathway to hopefully achieve international representative honours.

“We have flexibility and the ability to try different stuff up at RGC, and it’s nice to have this chance to pilot something new,” said Taylor.

Another ground-breaking appointment sees Kavanagh replace Dave Roberts as Game Changer, with Roberts moving to the role of Rugby Coordinator.