Neil Jenkins is to join the British and Irish Lions squad in South Africa as kicking coach.
The former fly half, who scored more than 1,000 points for Wales and the Lions during his international career, is expected to link up with the tourists in Cape Town later this week.
Jenkins, whose goal-kicking underpinned the Lions’ Test series triumph against the Springboks in 1997, was on the coaching staff of Wales’ short tour of North America that has just finished.
“We found out that Neil was going to be in South Africa during the latter stages of the tour,” Gerald Davies, the Lions manager, said. “The coaching staff thought it would be a good idea to ask him to become involved with the squad as kicking coach.”
Ian McGeechan, the Lions head coach, added: “We did not appoint a kicking coach initially as Rob Howley and Shaun Edwards have experience in this area and have adequately taken responsibility for looking after the kickers.
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“However, when someone of Neil’s ability is available, and on hand, it would be foolish not to take advantage of it. If anyone knows about what is required in terms of general kicking and goal-kicking in South Africa, it is Neil.”
Stephen Jones, Ronan O’Gara and James Hook, the Lions fly halves, have been in outstanding form during the opening three tour games, missing only one kick between them.
Jenkins said: “I have clear ideas of what I would like to contribute and I know so many of the players, coaches and back-up team that I will be able to get out onto the training pitch and get started as soon as I arrive.”