Robin McBryde has been named as Wales interim Head Coach for their two-Test summer tour to Japan next summer.
With Warren Gatland and Rob Howley away on Lions duty, the Assistant Coach will enjoy his second stint in charge of a summer tour with the WRU confident he and his team can replicate successes of the 2009 event in North America.
The former Wales international will head an influential coaching team featuring Neil Jenkins, Shaun Edwards and newcomer Mark Jones as assistants for the tour.
McBryde said: “I am delighted and extremely proud to have again been handed the honour of leading Wales on an important tour.
“It is a privilege to coach my country and I will embark on this tour determined to get the best out of the squad against what I know will prove to be tough opposition.
WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis was upbeat about the announcement, he said: “The coaching team we have announced for the Japan tour is evidence of how the development pathway in Wales is working effectively for Welsh rugby.
“The group we have established represents an ideal mix of huge talent from the current Warren Gatland set up combined with some of our best young prospects for the future in a range of disciplines.”