Warren Gatland has made the shock move of appointing Sale's Mike Forshaw as new Wales defence coach.
The 53-year-old Forshaw is highly regarded in English rugby circles with his Sale Sharks side having conceded the fewest amount of tries (26) in the Gallagher Premiership this season.
Gatland explored a few options to replace Gethin Jenkins, with Scotland coach Steve Tandy and former England assistant Paul Gustard in the running.
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Tandy is rated highly by Gatland who took him as part of his backroom team on the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa but the Scottish Rugby Union were reluctant to release him this close to a World Cup.
Former England defence coach Gustard, who is currently at Stade Francais, was also considered, but he has been beaten to the job by Forshaw.
As Wales Online reported last week former England outside-half Alex King will also be a part of Gatland's backroom team.
King previously enjoyed a short stint as interim attack coach with Wales back in 2017 when Gatland was on a sabbatical ahead of the Lions tour of New Zealand and will retake the role on a full-time basis.
The New Zealander wanted his former lieutenant Rob Howley to fill the vacancy left by Stephen Jones but the Welsh Rugby Union's non-executive directors blocked the appointment.
This has cleared the way for Gatland to appoint former Northampton, Clermont Auvergne, Montpellier, and Gloucester coach King.
Gatland said of the appointments: “I’m delighted that Alex and Mike are joining the Wales coaching team.
“They both have plenty of experience as players and coaches, which will be hugely important to the development of the squad through the Guinness Six Nations and beyond. I’d like to thank Sale Sharks for their cooperation in the process and allowing Mike to take up this position with Wales.
“We have less than a month to our first Six Nations match against the number one side in the world which, as I’ve said before, is a great challenge to have first up and one that we are very excited about as a coaching group.
“Having our first match this championship at home will be very special and I’m really looking forward to getting back out at Principality Stadium in front of the best fans in rugby.”
The pair will join Jonathan Humphreys (forwards), and Neil Jenkins (kicking) in Gatland's backroom team with Jonathan Thomas also in line to come on board as a skills coach.
Wales open their Six Nations campaign on February 4 against Ireland with Gatland expected to announce his backroom team today.
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