New Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has been hailed as "the right man at the right time" after being appointed to succeed Grand Slam winner Mike Ruddock. The Llanelli Scarlets rugby director steps into the hot-seat two years after being controversially overlooked for Welsh rugby's top job.
And Welsh Rugby Union chiefs lauded Jenkins' qualities after he signed a two-year contract that will incorporate Wales' 2007 World Cup assault.
Jenkins' first task will be to confirm a backroom team - his Llanelli assistant and former Wales centre Nigel Davies is a strong candidate for one of the key support roles - then select a squad for a two-Test tour of Argentina in June.
Jenkins (54) was recommended for the post by a five-man selection panel comprising WRU chairman David Pickering, chief executive Steve Lewis, WRU high performance manager Mostyn Richards, former Wales star Gerald Davies and WRU game policy committee chairman Alan Jones.
The WRU's board of directors accepted their nomination, although Leeds rugby director Phil Davies was also interviewed for the job. He is now favourite to replace Jenkins as Llanelli boss.
"What shone through for us was Gareth's fantastic passion and vision for the game," said Pickering, after Jenkins was paraded at a packed Millennium Stadium press conference.
"He is a coach of the highest calibre, and he has had success over many years with Llanelli. We, as a board, are absolutely delighted. He is the right man at the right time to take Wales forward.
"We went out to seek the best man for the job - it is what we said from day one - and we know we have got the best person for the job."
Jenkins, a firm favourite with Welsh supporters, enjoyed considerable success at Llanelli, in addition to being assistant Wales coach when they were crowned 1994 Five Nations champions.
He also helped Ian McGeechan mould an unbeaten midweek team during last summer's Lions tour of New Zealand, an achievement that further raised his profile in coaching circles.
As a player, he was part of the Llanelli side that famously beat New Zealand at Stradey Park in 1972.
"This is something to which I have aspired to for a long, long time," said Jenkins. "It is a job I would have been disappointed at not filling at some stage of my career.
"I am very excited at the prospect of working with the Welsh players, and I know there are huge challenges that lie ahead of us all as we build towards the 2007 World Cup in France.
"I can't wait to get started, and I know the clock is ticking towards my first international in Argentina in 45 days' time."
Jenkins was left distraught at being snubbed two years ago, an experience that left a bitter taste, particularly surrounding the alleged roles played by Lewis and Pickering in Ruddock's appointment.
"Sport is a challenge for us all," continued Jenkins. "You have to put things behind you and move on. I am more than comfortable to work with the people around me.
"As a Welshman, I believe in the style Welsh rugby has at the moment. We need to add a little bit more variety, and we need to have a little bit more tactical appreciation game by game."
