New Zealander Wayne Pivac will take over from Warren Gatland as Wales head coach at the conclusion of the 2019 World Cup. 

After more than 12 years at the helm, Gatland will bow out as the longest-serving and most successful head coach in the history of the game in Wales.

The appointment of Pivac, who inspired the Scarlets to the Pro12 title in 2017, comes after a two-year process that has involved meticulous research and extensive consultation undertaken by WRU CEO Martyn Phillips and chairman Gareth Davies.

Pivac, the 55-year-old former Fiji and Auckland boss, will remain at the Scarlets for the entirety of the 2018-19 season and only officially come under WRU employment in July 2019.

‘It’s both a huge honour and a privilege to have been asked to be the next Wales coach,’ Pivac said. ‘I know I’m following in the footsteps of someone who is held in extremely high regard, not only by the Welsh public, but also by the players who have played under him and I will be doing my best to protect the legacy which Warren Gatland, with the help of those players, will inevitably leave behind.

‘I’ll do everything in my power to live up to the expectations of the hugely passionate and knowledgeable rugby loving Welsh public.’

Photo: www.wru.co.uk