NEWPORT’S Ryan Jones and former Newport Gwent Dragons star Richard Parks have been appointed as team attachés for Wales at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Team Wales say the Welsh rugby stars past and present have been brought on board to help motivate and inspire the athletes set to represent their country over the 11 day competition.

Chair of the Commonwealth Games Council for Wales, Helen Phillips, said: “Ryan will be an asset to the team by welcoming athletes into their temporary performance and preparation environment at the athlete village.

“He will have chance to impart his knowledge of pressurised sporting events. His experience of travelling with the Welsh rugby team and the British Lions under intense media scrutiny will provide a great source of support to the athletes.

“His time spent with the athletes in the village will focus on offering words of wisdom and advice.”

Parks, who has made his name as an extreme sports adventurer since hanging up his rugby boots, will have a longer role.

Phillips added: “Richard will spend a longer period of time with Team Wales in Glasgow and we’ll be utilising his expertise in pushing the boundaries of human performance to both inspire and support our athletes.”

Chef de Mission of Team Wales, Brian Davies, said: “I’m delighted that both Richard and Ryan will be spending time with the HQ team and the athletes in the village.

“It can be an intense and pressurised environment and having their presence amongst the team will only motivate our athletes even further.”

Parks said: “Over the past year I am very proud to have been working closely with Sport Wales in the preparation for my solo, unsupported Antarctica speed record expedition, training in the high performance area at Sophia Gardens.

“It has been awesome training alongside some of the athletes, so to be able to support and see them in a competition environment with Team Wales will be a fantastic experience.”

He added: “As a proud Welshman, I am honoured to be a small part of Team Wales at the Glasgow Games. This is the biggest squad a Welsh team has ever sent to a Commonwealth Games and one of the strongest with many exciting medal prospects.

“I’m really looking forward to immersing myself in the role of official team attaché.”