Waikato’s Air New Zealand Cup coach Warren Gatland has been appointed the new coach of Wales.

Today’s announcement will see Gatland starting in his new role from December 1 2007.

“I’ve been given the opportunity to coach at the highest level. While it was a hard decision to make to leave Waikato it is the ultimate dream for me to coach at this level again. I want to thank Waikato for the support they have given me during this time of transition,” Gatland says.

Waikato Rugby Union Chief Executive Graham Bowen said: “the Wales coaching job was an opportunity too good to turn down for Warren who had aspirations to continue on as an international coach.

“The Waikato Rugby Union fully supports Warren in his decision to coach at international level again. We have a good relationship with Warren and maybe sometime in the future he will again be able to add value to Waikato Rugby.

“Winning the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006 and securing the Ranfurly Shield for the eighth time in Waikato history this year are highlights in Warren’s time with the Mooloos. However, he was also instrumental in developing a number of young rugby players in our province and we will no doubt see the result of this in future years in Waikato rugby.”

Bowen said the Waikato Rugby Union Board of Directors will begin the process of appointing a new Waikato coach early next year.

“We have time to recruit before the Waikato rugby season is set to kick off.”

Gatland, is currently on leave in the United Kingdom, and will return to New Zealand in mid- November.

Gatland was appointed coach of the Waikato team in July 2005 - at the time signing for the province until 2008. Gatland moved back to New Zealand after being coach of London Wasps in England. He is a former coach of Ireland and is a former Waikato hooker who represented Waikato from 1986-1994. In that time he played 140 games for the province, scored 71 points in his Mooloo playing career, and captained Waikato in 1988. He was an All Black in 1988 and 1991 playing 17 games.