ALEX King has been appointed as Wales attack coach for this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship.

King, who left his coaching role at Aviva Premiership club Northampton earlier this season, will join French Top 14 outfit Montpellier next term.

In the meantime, though, he will link up with Wales' coaching team for a Six Nations campaign that begins against Italy in Rome on February 5, the Welsh Rugby Union announced.

Wales' interim head coach Rob Howley, in charge this season while Warren Gatland concentrates on British and Irish Lions preparations for next summer's New Zealand tour, played in the same Wasps team as King, forging an outstanding half-combination.

Cardiff Blues' Matt Sherratt filled Wales' attack coaching role during the recent autumn series, when Wales won three of their four games, and he now returns to regional duties with the Blues.

King, 41, joins a Wales coaching team that also features Robin McBryde, Shaun Edwards and Neil Jenkins.

"This is a hugely-exciting opportunity for me personally, and to be able to join such an experienced and established coaching set-up ahead of such a major and important tournament is an incredibly exciting prospect," King said.

"It is a real privilege to be asked, and I am now really looking forward to meeting up with the coaches, the rest of the management team and particularly the talented Welsh players."

And Howley added: "We are really pleased to bring in Alex for the Six Nations, but we would also like to thank Matt for all his hard work and effort during the autumn.

"Alex is an experienced, highly-respected attack coach, and we are delighted to have him as part of our team.

"We believe he will add a lot of value to what will be another very competitive Six Nations, and we are delighted to have secured the services of such a sought-after coach on a full-time basis for the campaign.

"Matt was excellent for us during the autumn campaign, and we were really pleased with his contribution. Moving forward, Matt felt the shared role wouldn't be the best solution, which we respect, and we wish him well back at the Blues."

WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips said: "It is important for us to get the right blend of personalities and expertise in the coaching team ahead of an important Six Nations Championship campaign.

"Alex comes to us with an impressive winning pedigree.

"He has worked closely with both Rob and Shaun Edwards as a player, winning titles in England and Europe, but he has also lifted the English Premiership title as a coach."