Aberavon Head Coach Simon King and Bridgend Backs Coach Craig Warlow have been named as the coaching team that will lead a Regional Select XV into action against the Ospreys.
The duo will work together to prepare a squad of players selected from clubs across the region ahead of the fixture that takes places at Aberavon’s Talbot Athletic Ground on Tuesday 10th August (KO 7pm).
Wales U18 coach King has been in charge at Aberavon since 2007, while former Wales A cap Warlow joined the coaching staff at Bridgend last summer and is part of the new-look coaching team at the Brewery Field for this season led by Ospreys centurion Steve Tandy.
Ospreys Elite Performance Director, Andrew Hore, commented: “We’re delighted to be able to confirm the coaching team for the Regional Select XV. In Simon King and Craig Warlow, we’ve got an interesting partnership, both at different stages of their own coaching careers.
“Simon has done a great job at Aberavon over the last three years, combined with his role in the national age-grade set-up. He is a very influential figure within the region who is playing a huge part in the development of young rugby players, and he has really bought into what we trying to do here at the Ospreys.
“Craig is just starting off on his coaching career but from what we’ve seen of him at Bridgend, he clearly has a bright future ahead. By involving him in this game, it gives him another stage to show what he can do, and the experience of working alongside Simon will certainly be beneficial to his long-term development.
“The game on August 10th will be a great occasion. We are very aware of our responsibility to rugby in the region, and with more than 80 per cent of our squad coming from the local area, we are extremely proud to represent the local community. Events like this allow us to give something back to the clubs and communities that make up Ospreylia.”
Warlow added: “I’m really, really pleased to be involved. The call came as a bit of a bolt out of the blue if I’m honest, but it’s going to be a fantastic experience for the coaches and the players.
