| The former London Wasps' Technical Analyst joins Rhodri Bown and Andrew Hughes to form a three-man analysis team which supports not only the national team but the entire elite performance structure in Wales, from national age grade sides to Sevens and elite referees.
Long graduated in Sports Science at UWIC in 2003 before taking an MSc in Performance Analysis and joining London Wasps in 2005.
While at Wasps, Rhys was part of the management team that took the side to the inaugural Anglo-Welsh Powergen Cup final victory and the Heineken Cup final win over Leicester Tigers last May.
Porthcawl-born Long said, "The opportunity to join the WRU analysis team just before a Rugby World Cup is an immensely challenging but ultimately hugely exciting one.
"The term 'world class' is often one that is used too lightly but I genuinely believe we have a great opportunity here to give the coaches and players an analysis department which sets the standards above any other team in the world. This will be helped with the two outstanding analysts that are already in the department, Andy Hughes and Rhodri Bown.
"Although the Rugby World Cup is my priority at the moment, my aim is to cascade these new analysis standards throughout the Welsh Rugby Union to ensure we are raising the bar at all levels.
"I learnt a great deal from my experience at London Wasps and I am going to exhaust my efforts in ensuring I can continue to provide that extra few percent in helping Wales gain a competitive edge over our competitors."
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