Wales appoint Toulon fitness coach Paul Stridgeon

Paul Stridgeon (left) works with Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny (right) for French club Toulon

Wales have appointed Paul Stridgeon as consultant head of physical performance.

Stridgeon will work with Wales on a tournament-by-tournament basis, combining that role with his position as European Champions Toulon's head of strength and conditioning.

The 34-year-old joined Toulon in 2014 after six years with England.

Stridgeon worked with Wales head coach Warren Gatland as the British and Irish Lions' fitness coach in 2009 and 2013.

He had previously worked with Gatland at Wasps, where they won a Heineken Cup and three English Premiership titles.

Stridgeon is also a former freestyle wrestler who represented England at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

"Paul will be a huge asset to the national squad and I'm delighted that we have been able to secure his services," said Gatland.

"He is well known to a number of players and will compliment the team and plans currently in place."