Tuesday 10 June 2014 12:10, UK
Newport Gwent Dragons have promoted Kingsley Jones to the role of head coach on a three-year contract.
Jones, who won 10 caps for Wales, joined the club as an assistant coach in summer 2013 and worked principally with the forwards, while previous head coach Darren Edwards - who left the club in February - focused on the backs.
The 44-year-old was previously forwards coach, head coach and director of rugby at Sale Sharks and stood down from his other role as Russia coach last month.
"To be back in Gwent and coaching the Dragons is a big honour for me," said Jones, who will work with director of rugby Lyn Jones, whom he also assisted at London Welsh in the 2012-13 season.
The Dragons finished ninth in the RaboDirect PRO12 table last season, making them the worst performing of the four Welsh regions.
"For the last seven or eight years we have been tagged as the fourth Welsh region and the coaching post here is seen by many as a tough job," he added.
"But I relish the challenge and feel that it is a great honour for me to be coaching Gwent as I am born and bred in the region.
"I have an excellent working relationship with Lyn and together we are driven to help bring success to the region. It will be a hard process but the future is positive, especially with 11 Dragons named in the Wales U20s squad, our fans should have plenty to cheer about in the near future."
Lyn Jones added: "I am delighted that we have been able to recruit someone of such high coaching standards.
"It was great to have Kingsley here to help out, at Rodney Parade last season, but having him here full time will be beneficial to both the players and the coaching staff.
"This is a major coup for the Dragons and I look forward to working with Kingsley once again."
