Wales great Gethin Jenkins has joined Wayne Pivac's backroom staff as technical coach for the breakdown and defence, replacing fellow captain Sam Warburton.

Former flanker Warburton filled the post on a campaign-by-campaign basis but has decided to spend more time on other commitments.

A winner of three Grand Slams and participant on three Lions tours, Jenkins is among the nation's most decorated players and the prop's international career ended in 2016 having accumulated 129 caps.

The 39-year-old retired from the sport in 2018 and has since worked in coaching roles with Cardiff Blues and Cardiff RFC, as well as overseeing defence for Wales Under-20s. His new role is full-time.

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Jenkins said: "I would like to thank Richard Holland, John Mulvihill, and Gruff Rees for giving me the opportunity to start my coaching career at Cardiff Blues. I would also like to thank Steve Law at Cardiff RFC for giving me free rein to experience preparing a team on a week to week basis.

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"I'm relishing the opportunity to get stuck into the international environment, working with quality coaches and players at the top of their game.

"I'm well versed on the demands of the international game and I'm looking forward to offering my input and where I can add to the environment."

Jenkins is a Wales legend and not only led the charge in the tight but was mobile around the park and possessed back-row talent at the breakdown.

"I'm delighted to be welcoming Gethin into the coaching team," said Pivac. "He has vast experience of the international game and is hugely respected.

"Since retiring he has built a great reputation as a coach and has worked across different levels and age-grades of the game, most recently working alongside Wales' U20 side.

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"Gethin will be a great addition to the coaching team and will compliment Byron extremely well in their respective roles and I'm looking forward to working with him.

"I'd like to thank Sam for his hard work over the last year and what he has given to the team and to Wales.

"I would like to thank him for his honesty regarding his future and the need to spend more time on other projects away from the game and wish him all the best in that."

Warburton said: "I would like to thank Wayne and the coaching team for the opportunity I've had. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with them and I'm excited for the future for the national team.

"For me personally, I have had time to reflect and plan during the lockdown and I feel with a new addition to my family and business interests away from coaching, I can't devote the time needed in the role and so have decided to step away from coaching.

"What Wayne and his team are building is hugely exciting and I wish them all the best for the future."