Wayne Pivac named Warren Gatland’s replacement as Wales head coach when he leaves after 2019 Rugby World Cup

Current Scarlets head coach will take over from his fellow New Zealander once Wales’ World Cup campaign in Japan next year comes to an end

Wayne Pivac will take over from Warren Gatland as Wales head coach after the 2019 Rugby World Cup (Getty)

Wayne Pivac, the current Scarlets boss, has been tasked with replacing Wales’ longest-serving and most successful coach after being named as Warren Gatland’s successor when he leaves his position after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the Welsh Rugby Union announced on Monday.

New Zelander Pivac will continue to lead the Scarlets for their 2018/19 campaign before leaving the Welsh region at the end of the season to prepare to take over from Gatland, who has already announced that he will bring his reign as Wales head coach to an end next year, 12 years since taking on the job

"In Wayne Pivac, we have secured the best man for the job and we have done so rigorously and decisively to the collective benefit of all involved in Welsh rugby," WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips said on Monday.

"Both Wayne and Warren and their coaching teams, our international players, supporters and everyone at the Scarlets now have clarity and there is no underestimating the positive benefit to be gained from having the time to plan properly for the future.

"We have avoided the feeding frenzy that can come at the end of a World Cup year and we have been meticulous in ensuring we have someone of the talent, experience, charisma and rugby acumen to do the very best possible job for Welsh rugby."

The decision sees the WRU stick with a Kiwi coach, having enjoyed considerable success under Gatland’s rule that had included three Six Nations wins, two Grand Slams and reaching the 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-finals.

Having initially been in the running along with current Glasgow Warriors head coach and fellow New Zealander David Rennie, Pivac’s work with the Scarlets – and in particular the eye-catching attacking philosophy that he has implemented – saw him emerge as the unrivalled candidate to succeed Gatland.

Gatland plans to leave Wales after Japan 2019 (Getty)

"I know I'm following in the footsteps of someone who is held in extremely high regard, not only by the Welsh public but also by the players who have played under him," said Pivac, a former New Zealand Police constable in Auckland before turning his attention to coaching rugby in the mid-1990s.

"I will be doing my best to protect the legacy which Warren Gatland, with the help of those players, will inevitably leave behind.

"It will be an almighty challenge, but one that I'm more than ready for and one that I will relish."

Pivac has previously coached the Fiji national team, as well as Auckland and North Harbour, before moving to Wales to joint he Scarlets in 2014, and after guiding the regional side to the Pro12 title in 2017 he has been given the club’s blessing to move on to pastures new.

“First and foremost, on behalf of everyone at the Scarlets, I would like to extend our congratulations to Wayne on his appointment. It will be a proud moment for us all when he takes to the helm as Wales Head Coach,” said Jon Daniels, Scarlets general manager of rugby.

Wayne Pivac will remain with the Scarlets until the end of the season (Getty)

“I know Wayne will agree, we have a strong team here now, of coaches, players and backroom staff. There are a number of people who have contributed to our success under Wayne’s guidance and will continue to contribute and push the region forward this season and after his departure. I am confident we are strong enough to continue to thrive moving forward.”

Pivac will not start to assemble his backroom staff until he has completed his responsibilities with the Scarlets next summer, although both attack coach Stephen Jones and defence coach Byron Hayward have been linked with following him to the international set-up, having signed new contract extensions last November that run until the summer of 2020.