Joe Thomas Confirmed as Swansea RFC Head Coach for 2026/27
Swansea RFC is delighted to confirm that Joe Thomas will continue as Head Coach for the 2026/27 season as the club looks ahead to an exciting new chapter on and off the field.
A proud All White who has played 88 times for the club to date (25 tries), Thomas was appointed head coach in January 2026 taking charge of the team following Jonathan Thomas’ departure.
He guided the club to its first silverware in 25 years with a memorable 29-13 victory over RGC 1404 in the Super RygbiCymru Plate final at Cardiff Arms Park last month
Building on the foundations put in place by his predecessor, Thomas has overseen significant progress in Super RygbiCymru, improving on last year’s inaugural campaign where the club finished 10th. Swansea ended this season in sixth place, recording more than double the number of wins achieved the previous year, helping build positive momentum around the club.
Speaking after being confirmed for 2026/27, Thomas said:
“I’ve really enjoyed my time as head coach so far. The players and staff have all shown real maturity and understanding of where we are as a club and what we want to achieve, which has allowed me to do both my roles, as player and coach, as best as I can.
“I’ve got excellent support from the staff, the likes of Liam Gadd, Paul James and Huw Sutton, who I lean on for their experience and knowledge, as well as some really good rugbypeople in Keith Colclough, Ben Lewis, JP Bevan and Mike Ruddock who understand this club and I know are always there should I need guidance.
“It’s an exciting time for the club, with the news of the redevelopment of St Helen’s, the local community is really excited to have professional rugby back in Swansea. We want to build on that and play our part by adding more success to Swansea’s proud history. I feel extremely privileged to be leading the team into a new chapter”
Thomas is also hoping to continue contributing on the field next season, despite currently being sidelined after suffering a fractured jaw towards the end of the campaign.
Swansea RFC Managing Director Keith Colclough believes the club has every reason to be optimistic heading into 2026/27, particularly with a return to a revamped St Helen’s on the horizon.
Colclough said:
“There’s a real sense of excitement building around Swansea RFC at the moment and Joe has played a massive part in that. What he and the players have achieved in a short space of time has given everybody connected to the club renewed belief and pride.
“Winning silverware for the first time since the league title in 2001 was a huge moment for the club, but just as importantly we’ve seen clear progress across the season, both in performances and results. Joe understands exactly what Swansea RFC means to people in this city and the standards we expect as a club.
“Looking ahead to next season, there’s a huge amount to be excited about with our return to a revamped St Helen’s getting closer and more positive announcements still to come over the months ahead. We want supporters, former players, sponsorsand the wider Swansea community to get behind their club because we genuinely believe we are building something really exciting both on and off the field.”