BEDWAS have promoted Ian Gardner to the role of head coach as replacement for Steve Law.

The forwards coach has been chosen as the man to build on the efforts of Law, who has moved to Cardiff after 16 years in the Bridge Field hotseat.

The popular Gardner was the natural choice to step up after acting as Law's right-hand man in a hugely-successful 2016/17 in which Bedwas lifted the Foster's Challenge Cup and made it to the semi-finals of the Principality Premiership play-offs.

Pat McGee will be his forwards coach and Steff Sankala will be in charge of the backs while team manager Shaun Rees and physio Emily Buckley have joined the set-up after most recently being at Pontypool.

"It's an exciting time for myself and the new management team," said Gardner. "We have just come off the most successful season to date for Bedwas in the Premiership. My aim is to consolidate or even improve on that this season."

Director of rugby and club chairman Mark Lewis said continuity was vital as they embark on a new era.

"I am very pleased to be able to promote from within," he said. "Ian, Pat and Steffan have played huge parts in ensuring our on-field successes, particularly last season when we won the Foster's Cup and made the Premiership semi-finals.

"They have put a lot into this side and now they have the opportunity to take us further forward again."

Lewis added: "Getting Emily and Shaun in is the cherry on the cake for us. They are both consummate professionals and we know that they will be critical in getting the most out of our talented squad."

Bedwas will announce additions to their squad in the coming weeks.