Gloucester managing director Ken Nottage has confirmed Nigel Davies' appointment as the Aviva Premiership club's new rugby director.
Former Scarlets coach to succeed Redpath at Kingsholm
Gloucester managing director Ken Nottage has confirmed Nigel Davies' appointment as the Aviva Premiership club's new rugby director.
Davies, 47, has agreed a three-year contract and he will succeed Bryan Redpath at Kingsholm.
Davies will move to Gloucester from the Llanelli-based Scarlets, where he oversaw the development of Wales internationals like George North, Jonathan Davies and Rhys Priestland.
He also worked closely with England number eight Ben Morgan, who is among a raft of new signings at Gloucester for next season.
Attracted
"We are really delighted to appoint Nigel," Nottage told
The Citizen newspaper.
"In my dealings with Nigel, every time I have met him I am more and more sure that he is absolutely the right man for the job at Gloucester.
"He was very attracted to this club, and he sees it as something that will develop him as a coach further.
"The Premiership is a highly-regarded league and Gloucester is a highly-regarded club. It is good to have a quality coach come in to take our squad forward."
Davies won 29 caps for Wales as a high-class centre, and he stepped in to coach his country for a 2007 Test match against South Africa before Warren Gatland's appointment.
Davies is set to start work in his new job next week.
"We had some very good coaches who were very interested and available, and it was a long discussion. I think in these matters you have to pursue every avenue," Nottage added.
"But we are very, very pleased with where we have got to. Nigel was always our first choice."
Davies will start work at Kingsholm following a pre-arranged visit to South Africa for the Junior World Cup.
In Gloucester's official statement announcing his appointment, Nottage added: "We are delighted that Nigel has agreed to become our new director of rugby, as he was the outstanding candidate throughout the recruitment process.
"The Scarlets have been very impressive in the way they have approached the situation from the start and in their consideration to ensure Nigel had sufficient time to make such a significant decision at this stage of his career.
"Their professionalism has ensured that (Gloucester director) Ryan Walkinshaw has been able to reach an amicable agreement allowing Nigel's release from his existing contract to join us at Kingsholm in time for our pre-season preparations.
"Negotiations have been under way for some time, and we would like to thank the Scarlets for their understanding throughout."
Davies will host a press conference during his first week with the club after returning from South Africa.
In a Scarlets press release confirming his departure, Davies said: "It has been a true honour and a privilege to be head coach of the Scarlets and the last four years has been one of the most proud periods of my professional career.
"Coming from Trimsaran, to be head coach of the Scarlets has been so much more than a job to me - it has been pinnacle of my Welsh rugby career to date to be able to lead the region that has been such a major part of my life and such an inspiration to me.
"I am grateful to the board directors, the players, my coaching colleagues, sponsors and supporters and all those who has been part of my career for all the support they have given me at the Scarlets."
Passionate
Of his decision to leave, he added: "I have always felt that at the right time, I'd want to challenge myself in a different environment and this new role presents with me that exciting new ambition. Professionally, I know this is the right decision, but emotionally it has been one of the most difficult things to do."
The Scarlets have moved to replace Davies as head coach with the appointment of former captain Simon Easterby, who makes the step up from defence coach. He will lead a team formed of backs coach Mark Jones, conditioning coach Brad Harrington and newly-appointed forwards coach Danny Wilson.
Scarlets chief executive Mark Davies said: "Nigel's commitment to the Scarlets has been both profound and invaluable and there can be no doubt that, wherever his career takes him he remains a passionate Scarlet at heart. We fully understand and support his desire to challenge himself with the experience of a different environment at this stage of his career
"This has clearly been a very difficult and significant decision for him and his family, and we have been determined to ensure he has had the opportunity to take the time he required to consider and reach the decision he has made.
"Under Nigel's leadership, the development of our coaching group over the last two years has been as significant as that of our players, with Simon and Mark taking ownership of key areas of performance on the field.
"With the addition of Danny as a highly regarded technically focused forwards coach, this group will ensure we progress in all areas of our game, with Gareth Jenkins continuing his significant contribution in development - delivering, new and exciting talent. We will be also be working closely with the WRU in the recruitment of one further specialist skills coach."
