Huw Bevan appointed Dragons elite performance manager

Huw Bevan has been the England cricket team's strength and conditioning coach

Newport Gwent Dragons have confirmed Huw Bevan as the region's new Elite Performance Manager.

Bevan has joined the coaching staff at the Dragons from his role as England cricket team's strength and conditioning coach.

The ex-Bridgend, Cardiff and Swansea hooker had been with the England and Wales Cricket Board since 2009.

"I'm very pleased to be involved at an extremely exciting time for the Dragons," Bevan said.

"We have a fantastic new training facility and excellent staff who are ambitious and share my commitment to improving our performance."

Ryan Harris and Simon Church will work alongside Bevan, whose arrival at Rodney Parade comes after Kingsley Jones's appointment as Dragons' head coach.

"We have a vision and ambition to be the best, raising standards and changing behaviour will be key," Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones said.

"Appointing someone of Huw Bevan's capabilities is a serious statement from us, that we will do more than talk about it.

"During our time together in shaping the start of Ospreys rugby, I was impressed with Huw's innovation, organisation and work ethic."