Wales announce World cup coaches

Wales coaching boss Gareth Jenkins has announced his supporting coaching setup for the run up to next year’s Rugby World Cup.

The team is all Welsh and includes former British Lions and Wales hooker Robin McBryde as forwards coach, ex-Wales flanker Rowland Phillips be defence coach.

Welsh national hero and world points record holder Neil Jenkins will oversee kicking duties. All three have been contracted to stay with Wales until the end of the 2008 Six Nations Championship.

It is the first time since 1998 Wales have not had a foreign influence on board after a few new Zealanders and an Australian.

Gareth Jenkins said: “It was not a conscious thing to appoint an all Welsh group as coaches but it has just happened that way.

“At the outset I wanted to identify the right people and at the outset I had an open mind about the people I was looking to work with as coaches.

“The Argentina tour was a platform on which to work with Robin, Neil and Rowland and I was pleased with the response, commitment and professionalism shown by all three.

“I believe we have a good dynamic within the coaching structure, which is unique in that we have people who have just finished international rugby as well as more experienced coaches like myself Nigel and Rowland.

“I’m delighted Robin, Rowland and Neil are able to commit themselves fully to what is going to be an incredibly demanding period which will see Wales play a minimum of 23 games, and hopefully two or three more.”