TERRY Cobner is returning to rugby two months after quitting his post with the Welsh Rugby Union.

The former Pontypool and Wales captain has decided to make a quickfire comeback in a role dear to his heart. He will become team manager of the newly created Wales under-18 side, an amalgamation of the former Wales Youth and Wales Schools teams which the WRU have taken over.

Cobner, who won his first international honours with the Welsh Secondary Schools in 1964, will lead a management team of Kevin George as coach, Ian Gardner, Paul John and Wayne Jones as assistants and Ron Shottle as coaching co-ordinator.

"I was flattered to be invited to take over this important role and I am honoured to be involved," said Cobner. "When I left the WRU I was keen not to divorce myself completely from the sport. I always felt I could give something back to the game and this age group is particularly close to my heart so it is an ideal way of maintaining a link.

"The newly created Wales Under-18s team has a vital role to play in the development of future professional and international players. The new team will be more representative of the talent in Wales and will have a very strong fixture list.

"It will be my role as team manager, in conjunction with the coaches, to ensure the players understand the demands of the modern game and are better prepared to take the step up to under-19 and under-21 levels where they will compete against the best young players in the world."

WRU general manager Steve Lewis said, "The WRU has taken some very important steps to improve the quality of competition, coaching and development for players from under-16 upwards.

"The regional competitions at under-16,18 and 20 levels will provide a showcase for all young players to parade their talents and age group Test teams will allow the best players to match themselves against their peers in Europe and across the world.

"The coaching and management teams we have put in place for the national age group teams are all highly qualified."