Cardiff head coach David Young has been appointed as one of the five new regional coaches who will lead the national game into an exciting new age next season.
He will be joined by Lynn Howells (Bridgend/Pontypridd), Lyn Jones (Neath/Swansea), Mike Ruddock (Newport/Ebbw Vale) and Gareth Jenkins (Llanelli Region).
At this mornings Welsh Rugby Union press conference at the Millennium Stadium, Young said,
I am looking forward to the challenge ahead. It is important that we get this right if we are to succeed with the regions and the national team.
WRU General Manager Steve Lewis agreed, saying,
This is a vitally important day in the life of the new rugby regions we have created in conjunction with the Welsh Premiership clubs. The five Head Coaches will be charged with producing winning teams who can be highly competitive in the Heineken Cup and Celtic League.
He added,
We are in a new age of accountability and transparency in professional rugby and the WRU are determined to ensure that there highest standards are applied to all major appointments connected with the game at the highest level.
The next phase of the appointments process will be to put in place assistant coaches, academy coaches, physiotherapists, doctors and fitness coaches.
Llanellis Gareth Jenkins reflected the views of all five regional coaches when he said,
This is a one-off opportunity to move forward. Regional rugby is a positive concept and everybody has to embrace it.