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The former Welsh rugby union and league international John Bevan will become the Welsh Rugby Union's new director of coaching on 7 July. Bevan, 46, head of physical education at Arnold School in Blackpool, will take charge of training the coaches in Wales and will also assist Kevin Bowring with the preparation of the international side.

"John's role is a vital one to the future success of Welsh rugby," said Terry Cobner, the director of rugby in Wales. "He will be charged with coaching the coaches as well as being involved with player development in the national squad and at under-19 level.

"John has all the necessary rugby credentials and also the personal qualities to make a success of it," Cobner added.

Bevan left Wales in 1973 after winning 10 caps and a Grand Slam in his first season in the national side. He also played in the first Test in New Zealand with the 1971 Lions and notched a record-equalling 17 tries on that tour. He joined Warrington in September 1973 and scored 201 tries in a 13-season career in rugby league, touring Australia and New Zealand with Great Britain in 1974 and scoring 15 tries in 17 games.

He made 17 Test appearances for the Wales rugby league team as wing, centre and second-row and scored five tries, captaining his country four times.

"I'm looking forward to coming back to Wales. I will have a multi-purpose role in which coach-education will play a major part," Bevan said. "If you don't educate the coaches, player development is stifled."

Bevan has several years experience at top level in that sphere. Last year he joined the Fylde coaching team and has also been in charge of Lancashire.