Head coach Ian McGeechan has named Wales coach Warren Gatland and his assistant Shaun Edwards in his staff for the British & Irish Lions' 10-game summer tour of South Africa in 2009.
Gatland has been named as forwards coach, while McGeechan's colleague at London Wasps Shaun Edwards will head up the defence and there are also key roles for Rob Howley (attack), Craig White (conditioning) and Rhys Long (analyst).
Experienced Scotland and Lions team doctor James Robson also joins the management team.
"This is an important milestone in our preparation," said Lions team manager Gerald Davies. "The personnel have the proven skill sets to ensure that the Lions squad is well prepared, the cosmopolitan make-up of the management team reflecting the modern nature of rugby."
The Lions head to South Africa next May for a tour including three Tests against the world champion Springboks in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg.
McGeechan: A positive environment
Commenting on the coaching appointments McGeechan said: “Lions tours are unique as we have to mould together players from four different countries. There has to be a unified, common approach on the tour with coaches and players working together.
"We therefore have to create a positive environment and appoint the right personnel to help devise the right strategies to take on the Springboks at home. I am delighted with today’s appointments and confident that we can come together quickly as preparation time is always short.
"Working with coaches and personnel that I know well and who have successful track records and experience ensures that we will get the best out of the players and provide the greatest chance of winning the test series.”
Kiwi Gatland guided Wales to Grand Slam glory in last season's Six Nations and has also been Ireland head coach - between 1998 and 2001 - before preceding McGeechan as Director of Rugby at Wasps.
WRU chairman David Pickering said his national coaching staff had the union's full support. Robin McBryde will take charge of Wales in North America.
