EBBW Vale have pulled off a coup by bringing in former Wales, Scarlets and Gloucester supremo Nigel Davies as head coach.

The ex-Wales and Llanelli centre joins the Steelmen in the wake of Jason Strange’s departure for a full-time job as skills coach with the Welsh Rugby Union.

Davies has an impressive rugby CV and represented his country 29 times, including one Test as captain against France in 1996.

He enjoyed great success with the Scarlets after hanging up his boots and was Gareth Jenkins’ right-hand man with Wales before acting as caretaker coach in the 2007 post-World Cup Test against South Africa.

Davies returned to Llanelli as head coach of his home region before spending two seasons with Gloucester as director of rugby between 2012 and 2014.

Despite a wealth of experience the 50-year-old knows that he has big shoes to fill after Strange led the Steelmen to four titles (two Division One East, two Championship) and masterminded a sensational return to the Principality Premiership in which they were runners-up to Pontypridd.

Davies, now based in Gwent, said: “I am looking forward to be back working in Welsh club rugby and for a club with a great tradition and close-knit rugby community and with a team that is clearly very passionate, genuine and committed to success.

“I’ve been really impressed by the hunger and drive within Ebbw Vale to push forward on the back of an unprecedented period of success on the field in recent years.

“The playing staff, coaching team and facilities are first-class and the club has a vision and professional attitude that ranks alongside any top-flight club I have been involved with.

“What has struck me already is how united the whole team at Ebbw Vale are both on and off the field with a genuine and committed group of people working hard with the club’s success close to their hearts.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the coaching team and the club’s playing talent to help build on the excellent work Jason Strange has clearly done at Ebbw Vale over the past five years.”

Chairman Jonathon Jones believes that Davies, who will head a coaching set-up featuring Ceri Jones and Nick Wakley, is the perfect man to help develop their squad and management team.

"Nigel has vast experience and knowledge which will be of great benefit to both the players and our young coaches as we look to carry on the positive progress with a team that has brought us success over the past four years,” he said.

“We are delighted and excited at he has agreed to join us as head coach and take us forward. It shows our ambition as a club and I believe Nigel will do an excellent job in leading the squad and developing rugby success in Blaenau Gwent.”