Davies in temporary charge

Nigel Davies has been confirmed as Wales' caretaker head coach for the one-off international against South Africa on November 24th.

Davies takes over on a temporary basis from Gareth Jenkins, who was sacked on Sunday morning after Wales crashed out of the World Cup.

The former Wales centre will head a four-man coaching team which includes defence specialist Rowland Phillips, set-piece coach Robin McBryde and kicking expert Neil Jenkins, all of whom served under Jenkins.

The Welsh Rugby Union have launched a worldwide search for a permanent replacement for Jenkins and aim to have him in place for the 2008 Six Nations.

As well as preparing Wales for the Springboks game, the four-man team will start laying the foundations for the new head coach by undertaking a full review of the World Cup.

But any decision on their future within the Wales management set-up will be down to the new head coach.

Davies said: "I would have wanted to go into this game working as assistant to Gareth Jenkins but I fully understand why, in the world of professional sport, this cannot happen.

"I am a close friend of Gareth's and have worked with him both as a player and coach for some 20 years.

"I am under contract and will continue with my duties as diligently and professionally as I am able to. I am pleased we are being kept in place for this game because there is a lot of urgent work we must get on with which will be of great help to a new head coach.

"There is a report to be written on the Rugby World Cup, the elite player succession plan must be updated and, as well as preparation and planning for South Africa, a similar process has to start for the next Six Nations. There are also player appraisals and debriefs of games to work on.

"Nothing is left to chance in the professional sporting arena and we know it is vital we give any new coach a portfolio of information. What happens with this coaching team after that will be up to him."