King, Forshawn join Wales' coaching team
NEWS: Former England international, Alex King, has been appointed as attack chief by Wales coach Warren Gatland while Sale Sharks assistant Mike Forshawn will take charge of defence.
The 53-year-old Forshawn has been appointed ahead of Steve Tandy and Paul Gustard who were also in the running to join Gatland’s backroom team.
The pair take up positions previously held by former internationals Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins, with Gatland now in his second spell in charge of Wales after fellow New Zealander Wayne Pivac was sacked last month.
Forshaw is one of many former high-profile rugby league players to excel as a coach in the 15-man game.
King played for Gatland at Wasps, winning Premiership and European titles together, and was attack coach with Gloucester until the end of last season.
Forshaw, following a successful career in rugby league, was appointed as Sale defence coach in 2013.
Sale have conceded only 26 tries in the English Premiership this season, the lowest number of any club and his departure will leave a huge void at Sale.
“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,” said Gatland.
King and Forshaw join a coaching staff that includes Neil Jenkins (goalkicking) and Jonathan Humphreys (forwards) as Gatland seeks to revive Wales following a dismal 2022.
Wales host Ireland in their opening Six Nations match on February 4.
