10 hours ago
Wales bring in Ben Flower to help add steel for World Cup
The 37-year-old from Abertridwr will be part of Sean Lynn's set-up for the summer training campa ahead of a two-Test tour to Australia and then the World Cup.
Flower has been appointed as collision coach and has an impressive CV in that department.
He played for the Dragons academy and represented Wales at under-20, 18 and 16 level alongside the likes of Dan Lydiate, Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies but then changed code after an attempt to covert him from back row forward to hooker.
Flower played for the Celtic Crusaders and then the prop became a key figure for Wigan when winning three Super League titles, the World Club Challenge and the Challenge Cup, while he also won 17 caps.
After hanging up his boots, he coached the South Wales Jets rugby league side and was part of the Wales Women's coaching team at the last World Cup in New Zealand.
Flower said: 'Being involved with Wales is always a privilege and being asked and to have the chance of being involved with my country is an honour you don't turn down.
'Having played at a World Cup as a player and to have this chance to play a role as Wales prepare for a World Cup is an opportunity I am looking forward to.'
Lynn, who is yet to enjoy a victory as national boss, believes Flower will add steel to a side whose fitness he questioned during a miserable Six Nations.
He said: 'The W6N review highlighted the need to improve our collision work and dominance, both sides of the ball, as a real area we can improve on.'
