By Paul Jones
Warren Gatland is returning to a rugby league defence coach to assist him with Wales – in an echo of his successful partnership with Shaun Edwards.
Gatland is set to appoint former Wigan star Mike Forshaw as his Wales defence coach in succession to Gethin Jenkins as well as Alex King as the attack coach to replace Stephen Jones.
Forshaw is currently working at Sale, while King’s most recent spell was with Gloucester.
King, who previously served as the attack coach for the British and Irish Lions in 2017, will take on the same role for Wales.
King and Forshaw will join forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys and kicking coach Neil Jenkins, who will continue to be part of the coaching staff.
Wales are expected to announce today the appointments of Alex King as attack coach and @SaleSharksRugby Mike Forshaw as defence coach ahead of the Six Nations to complete Warren Gatland's coaching staff, reports @TelegraphSport @WelshRugbyUnion
— chris jones (@chrisjonespress) January 12, 2023
Forshaw, who has had a successful career as a player in rugby league, was appointed as the defence coach for Sale in 2013.
During his time there, Sale have had the lowest number of tries conceded in the Gallagher Premiership this season.
Former England defence coach Paul Gustard was previously linked to the Wales role, but Gatland has chosen Forshaw instead.
It’s a move that will prompt comparisons with Edwards, who was Gatland’s trusted assistant during his most successful period in his first spell as Wales coach.
The Welsh Rugby Union dithered over offering Edwards a new contract just before Gatland left in 2019 and he moved to his current position with France.
"If you walking, you're already too late."
"We've got to work hard ALL the time."@andNickMullins caught up with Mike Forshaw, the all-action defence coach at @SaleSharksRugby 💪
Warning: May increase work-rate ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/vHlATsN97r
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) February 21, 2020
King, 47, has a wealth of experience in coaching, having been a part of the backroom staff at Wasps, Clermont, Northampton, Montpellier and Gloucester.
He played with former Wales attack coach Rob Howley at Wasps and was part of the team that won the Heineken Cup in 2004 and 2007.
Gatland returned to Wales as head coach last month, succeeding Wayne Pivac.
Wales will open their Six Nations campaign against Ireland on February 4th in Cardiff.