Pivac relishing chance to take over from Gatland as Wales head coach

THE Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) have wasted little time in appointing Wayne Pivac as Warren Gatland’s successor.

The Scarlets head coach will take over from his fellow Kiwi following next year’s World Cup in Japan.

Pivac (right) has transformed the Scarlets’ fortunes as well as their style of play since arriving in 2014 and last year led them to the Guinness PRO12 title after beating Munster in the Aviva Stadium decider. After 12 years at the helm, Gatland will step down as Wales boss in December 2019. The WRU have long identified Pivac as the man to replace the country’s most successful head coach and the 55-yearold former Fiji and Auckland boss admitted that he couldn’t wait to get started. “It’s both a huge honour and a privilege to have been asked to be the next Wales coach,” Pivac said.

“It will be an almighty challenge, but one that I’m more than ready for and one that I will relish.”