NEWPORT have appointed Craig Warlow as their new head coach after Sven Cronk left the club last month.

The former Newport Gwent Dragons outside half had been Black and Ambers backs coach under Cronk before taking over as acting head coach upon his departure.

It is understood several leading coaches in the Welsh semi-professional game had been interested in the plum job and were interviewed for the post.

But Rodney Parade chiefs have decided to keep the faith with Warlow who will look to turn around the club’s fortunes in the next campaign after a parlous season.

The Black and Ambers are on course to finish bottom of the Principality Premiership and are fortunate not to be relegated this year.

They are only staving off the indignity of life in the Swalec Championship because champions elect Bargoed cannot be promoted.

The Rhymney Valley side do not meet the Welsh Rugby Union’s stringent criteria to make the jump into the Premiership.

Newport found little solace in the Swalec Cup their run coming to an end after they were unlucky to lose 30-21 away to Carmarthen Quins in the quarter-final stage last month.

The 40-year-old Warlow was an accomplished player, making 69 appearances for the Dragons between 2003 and 2006, scoring 351 points with six tries, 70 penalties, seven drop goals and 45 conversions.

He also played for the Scarlets and Bridgend and represented Wales A.

Warlow cut his coaching teeth with Aberavon, leaving the Wizards in October 2013, before joining Newport as backs coach in January 2014.

There is plenty of work in store for him in the hot seat.

After tonight’s home game with Llandovery, the Blacks and Ambers have just two games left this season as they aim to avoid the shame of finishing bottom of the league.

They face a tough away trip to double champions Pontypridd on Tuesday night at Sardis Road before ending their campaign with the visit of Aberavon to Rodney Parade a week on Sunday.