King joins Wales coaching staff

Wales have named Alex King as their attack coach in a temporary role for the 2017 Six Nations before he joins Montpellier next season.
A former assistant coach at Clermont Auvergne before joining the Saints, King is a previous Wasps team-mate of Wales‘ acting head coach Rob Howley.
The 41-year-old former England international helped Saints lift the Premiership title in 2014 as attack coach, but left the East midlands club by mutual consent in October.
King will be reunited with Howley, his half-back partner at Wasps and Shaun Edwards who helped coach the Wasps team under Warren Gatland when they claimed a Premiership and Heineken Cup double in 2004.
Wales had re-shuffled their coaching line-up in the autumn with Cardiff Blues coach Matt Sherratt joining as the attack coach as Gatland took up his Lions duties.
Sherratt is now returning to the Blues to concentrate on his Regional duties as King links up with incumbent assistant coaches Robin McBryde (forwards), Shaun Edwards (defence) and Neil Jenkins (skills).
“This is a hugely exciting opportunity for me personally and, to be able to join such an experienced and established coaching set up ahead of such a major and important tournament, is an incredibly exciting prospect,” said King.
“It is a real privilege to be asked and I am now really looking forward to meeting up with the coaches, the rest of the management team and particularly the talented Welsh players.”
Acting Wales head coach Howley added: “We are really pleased to bring in Alex for the Six Nations, but we would also like to thank Matt for all his hard work and effort during the autumn.
“Alex is an experienced, highly-respected attack coach and we are delighted to have him as part of our team.
“We believe he will add a lot of value to what will be another very competitive Six Nations and we are delighted to have secured the services of such a sought after coach on a full time basis for the campaign.
“Matt was excellent for us during the autumn campaign and we were really pleased with his contribution. Moving forward, Matt felt the shared role wouldn’t be the best solution, which we respect, and we wish him well back at the Blues.”
Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Martyn Phillips added: “It is important for us to get the right blend of personalities and expertise in the coaching team ahead of an important Six Nations championship campaign.
“Alex comes to us with an impressive winning pedigree, he has worked closely with both Rob and Shaun Edwards as a player, winning titles in England and Europe, but he has also lifted the English premiership title as a coach.”
ED HUTSON