THE chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union has backed the appointment of an Australian without any experience in the game to coach Newport Gwent Dragons.

David Pickering calls the choice of Aussie World Cup winning coach Chris Anderson 'courageous' and 'a bold move,' describing him as 'a man of high calibre.'

The Dragons could have gone for a Welsh coach like Allan Lewis, previously in charge of Newport, Lynn Howells or Dennis John when Mike Ruddock left to become Wales coach and then when Declan Kidney took up an offer to coach Leinster three weeks after succeeding Ruddock. But instead they went for Anderson.

"They have shown a great amount of courage thinking outside the square," he said. "They have got someone who is a total outsider, someone who has got years of experience playing and coaching at the very highest level and has had tremendous success.

"You've got to look at the whole picture, he is one of the world's leading coaches, it's a bold move and I applaud the Dragons.

"I welcome the appointment. I am sure it will add value to a vibrant Welsh scene and help it go forward. "After what happened they didn't have a long term appointment so they were in a position where they had to act quickly, and they have done a splendid job.

"It's great for the game, it's something different and it's a challenge for him to make the transition. It's a great test for him, but he's a man of high calibre and I wish him all the best.

"He will have two Level 4 coaches (Leigh Jones and David Rees) alongside him and they can all learn from one another."

Pickering was on the Dragons board along with WRU general manager Steve Lewis when the Union took a 50% shareholding, but neither is on the board any more and are due to be replaced by WRU-appointed people.

"I was appointed in the interim to make sure of stability after the demise of one of the clubs making up the region," said Pickering.

"We restored that stability and the Union are making two other appointments. They will be Union nominations, not from our board, but we will try to bring in people with experience of business and rugby administration."

It is believed the two nominations are their own solicitor, John Morris, and Gerald Davies, the former Cardiff, Wales and British Lions wing who has also been involved with the Wales Tourist Board, the Sports Council for Wales and HTV as well as journalism.

Morris, in fact, attended a Dragons board meeting on Wednesday after the Anderson Press conference, though no appointments have been made.