Wales add Alex King and Mike Forshaw to coaching panel

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has added Alex King and Mike Forshaw to the coaching panel ahead of the upcoming Six Nations tournament.

Forshaw spent most of his coaching career with Sale Sharks, who agreed to release him early will take over the defence coach role from Gethin Jenkins.

He also had worked as strength and conditioning coach with rugby league sides Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors. He was also Connacht's defence coach between 2010 and 2013 before switching to Sale Sharks.

Meanwhile, King had worked with Wales under Warren Gatland as an attack coach in 2017 and will take over the role from Stephen Jones, who was part of Wayne Pivac's coaching panel earlier.

King spent the majority of his playing career at Wasps before a move to Clermont Auvergne, where he later transitioned into coaching helping the French side to their first ever Top 14 title.

“I’m delighted that Alex and Mike are joining the Wales coaching team,” said head coach Gatland.

“They both have plenty of experience as players and coaches, which will be hugely important to the development of the squad through the Guinness Six Nations and beyond.

"I’d like to thank Sale Sharks for their cooperation in the process and allowing Mike to take up this position with Wales.

“We have less than a month to our first Six Nations match against the number one side in the world which, as I’ve said before, is a great challenge to have first up and one that we are very excited about as a coaching group.

“Having our first match this championship at home will be very special and I’m really looking forward to getting back out at Principality Stadium in front of the best fans in rugby.”