NEW Director of Welsh rugby Terry Cobner plans to turn the clock back and restore Wales to the glory days of years ago was officially appointed as the Welsh Rugby Union's first overall supremo yesterday after beating off 60 other applicants to land the £50,000 a year post.

The former Pontypool flanker, capped 19 times by Wales, played in three Tests for the Lions when they toured New Zealand in 1977. His contract takes him up to the end of the 1999 World Cup, to be hosted by Wales.

And he admits that he faces a tough task if he is to successfully put back the pride that has appeared missing from Welsh rugby in recent seasons.

"All the great sides of today have a number of world class players," said 49 year old Cobner. "We had that in Wales in the 1970s, but when I look at the Welsh teams of today I find that they haven't got that nucleus.

"However, there is still a lot that is good within Welsh rugby - even if there is also a lot that is not good. The set pieces are adequate, but where we break down is when we come away from those set pieces.

"The intensity and pace of the game in Wales has dropped well below that of the southern hemisphere countries. But there is now a structure within the game here which enables players to be fast tracked to the international stage. It is my job to develop such players during the next four years."

Geoff Evans, chairman of the WRU's technical division, revealed that Cobner would have full control for all rugby matters.

"The Director of Rugby is the number one person, responsible for the game from international level downwards. Below him, in the management line of things, is the national coach," said Evans.