WRU Medical Matters

Prav Mathema is the National Medical Manager of the Welsh Rugby Union, leading on medical matters within the Union. He has previously held positions as the Head of Medical Services at Queens Park Rangers Football Club and London Wasps Rugby Club. He is also a Senior Physiotherapist within the WRU National Men’s Squad.

Other posts include being a Physiotherapist to the British and Irish Lions Rugby Team, touring with them in 2009, 2013, and 2017. In the 2021 he was selected as the Chief Medical Officer for the Lions tour to South Africa.

Mathema also acts as the Centre Director for the WRU Immediate Care In Rugby course and is a member of World Rugby’s Concussion working group.

What’s your story?

“I was born in Kathmandu in Nepal and my father had served as a Gurkha in the British Army. My parents decided to move to England to try and secure a better life for the family. So in the late 1970’s when I was 2 years old we settled in Leicester before later moving to Broadstairs in Kent.

“I received all of my schooling in Kent and originally wanted to be an architect but I ultimately decided to engage in a Physiotherapy Vocational Degree at Brunel University in Isleworth.

“Having qualified in 1998, I worked for a brief period in the NHS before an opportunity presented itself to work as a physiotherapist at Queen’s Park Rangers’ academy in the English Football League.

“After a couple of years there, a new manager came in and Ian Holloway and I got on really well. Although I was only 23 at the time – he offered me the role of Chief Medical Officer.

“I wasn’t sure whether I was ready or not – but I backed myself and accepted the job. At the time I was the youngest Chief Medical Officer in the English Football League and Premiership.

“I’m so glad that I challenged myself and had faith in my own ability as I loved the job and stayed at the club for a total of 8 years.

How did you find your way into rugby?

I’ve always loved the game and played a bit as well but lady luck played a part in me finding my way into the game on a professional basis.

Chris Wright, the co-founder of Chrysalis records who released records by major bands such as Blondie, Ultravox and Spandau Ballet – was the owner of QPR and London Wasps. Both football and rugby teams shared training and medical facilities.

At the time Warren Gatland was Head Coach of the Wasps and other people who would also have a major impact on my life and career, such as Robert Howley, Alex King and Shaun Edwards were also involved in the rugby set-up. At that time Wasps were a major force in European Rugby as they’d won the double in 20023-2004 by securing the Heineken Cup and the Zurich Premiership. It is really odd and equally pleasing to have got to know these special individuals early on during my career – before working closely with them on the international stage with Wales.

“Although QPR were in League 1 at the time – all the players mixed with each other and so I got to know the Wasps players and coaches well. It was a brilliant time.

“During my last 2 years at ‘Rangers’, Warren Gatland had returned to New Zealand and Ian McGeechan had replaced him as Head Coach. David Davies the Chief Executive of Wasps offered me the position of Head of Medical Services.  It was a truly great opportunity for me – one I knew that I had to take as rugby was always my love.

“During my time at QPR, Wasps had become European Champions and Premiership Champions and so it was nice on a personal and professional level that we won the Grand Final against Leicester in my first year.

“Unfortunately – that’s the last major trophy that the club has won.”

Lions

In 2008, Ian McGeechan was named as the Head Coach of the Lions for the Tour to South Africa. Although Prav Mathema had never previously worked on the international stage, he found himself on the plane as one of the physios.

“I feel really humbled that a lot of the Wasps senior international players told Ian McGeechan that I’d be worth taking on the tour.

“Once again I felt an element of imposter syndrome – but backed myself and did my best. I got on really well with the Welsh boys on that tour and little did I know then that the paths of Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips, Lee Byrne, Adam Jones, Gethin Jenkins and myself would cross again in the future.

“I have been privileged to have travelled with the Lions on every tour since then and to become the Chief Medical Officer in 2021 was truly special.

Wales

Warren Gatland was Ian McGeechan’s Assistant Coach on the 2009 tour and was obviously impressed by Mathema’s work and relationship with the squad. Soon after the tour had ended, he paved the way for Prav to join the Welsh Rugby family.

“It’s true that Gats did have a quiet word in my year – and a formal offer was made to me in 2011 to become the WRU’s first ever National Performance Medical Manager – and what a ride it’s been.

“As well as leading all of the practical elements of the medical requirements, I was looking after the medical governance of community, regional and international rugby in Wales. Once again – I gave it all that I could and loved it.

“The fact that we had a truly promising World Cup campaign in New Zealand that year was incredible and that set the tone for a fantastic few years.

“Although we lost by a point to France in the Semi-Final – after Sam (Warburton) had been sent off - we won the Grand Slam in 2012 and backed that up with a memorable Championship win by beating England comprehensively the following year. What a night that was – the celebrations were insane!

“We knocked England of their own World Cup in 2015 but bowed out of the competition ourselves courtesy of a last minute score by South Africa. That was certainly a campaign of highs and lows.

“History repeated itself in the 2019 World Cup when the Springboks beat us narrowly once again - before they went on to win the competition on that occasion.

“Since then we’ve come within seconds of claiming another Grand Slam out in France in 2021 and I’ve toured with the Lions a third and fourth time. The experiences that I’ve had have been amazing.

“Naturally not everything has been plain sailing – and when Covid struck the nation and indeed the world – it was truly a venture into the unknown. We were trying to keep people safe and ensure that rugby could continue. It was undoubtedly my biggest professional challenge but also reaped the greatest sense of achievement for me as well.

Message

“I have followed my dreams but have also been in the right place at the right time at key moments during my career. Everyone needs a little luck sometimes! Warren Gatland is certainly one of the people who have shown faith in me and he’s had a massive influence on my career and life.

“My time so far with Wales has been amazing. I have been welcomed with open arms and there have been very few occasions where I have encountered any form of negativity regarding my ethnicity.

“ I have always promised myself to try and be exceptional in everything that I do. If I fail – I learn from the experience and do it better next time.

“The only boundaries and limitations that you have – are the ones that you put in place yourself. Follow your dreams and be the best that you can be. Diolch.”