A PLACE has been left open on Wales’ development tour to North America next year for an assistant coach - with one of the Welsh regions set to supply the caretaker, writes Robin Davey.

Paul Turner of Newport Gwent Dragons and Sean Holley of the Ospreys could be front runners while Sale chief Kingsley Jones, from Blaina, could also be in the running for the job.

Forwards coach Robin McBryde has been named as the head coach for the tour with Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley all going with the British Lions to South Africa, as well as fitness chief Craig White and analyst Rhys Long.

Accompanying McBryde to America and Canada will be current management team Neil Jenkins, conditioner Mark Bennett, team manager Alan Phillips, analysts Rhodri Brown and Andrew Hughes and physios Mark Davies and Hywel Griffiths, with another conditioner to be appointed as well.

“It’s a great honour to lead Wales on tour for two important Test matches which will prove to be a challenging test of our progress as a squad,” said McBryde.

“We know the American Eagles and the Canadians will be tough opposition and will fully test us on their home turf. It’s inevitable some members of our senior squad will be heading for South Africa as Lions so the players who travel with us will be determined to make the Test starting positions their own.

“I will be working closely with Warren and the team in preparation for the tour, but the chance to be the man in charge for the games is a challenge I am relishing.

“We work collectively as a coaching team for Wales and Warren knows my style and my input into the management system we operate.”

Gatland said, “Robin has proved he is entirely worthy of this opportunity to step up and take on the ultimate responsibility as coach at international level.

“He is widely known for his talent and uncompromising qualities as a player, but all of us in the national coaching team know he has a lot more to offer Wales.

“We will be building towards the North American tour throughout the Six Nations so all of the coaches will have an important input into the preparations and selection for the trip. Robin will be his own man, but we will also be in regular contact to talk through his plans.”