2015 World Cup: Ex-Blues boss Phil Davies named Namibia coach

Phil Davies made 46 Wales appearances in the second and back-rows

Former Cardiff Blues and Scarlets boss Phil Davies has been appointed as Namibia coach ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

The ex-Wales forward, 51, has worked as a pundit since leaving Blues in March 2014 and as a consultant for Namibia.

Davies - who will be assisted by ex-Wales wing Wayne Proctor - succeeds Danie Vermeulen, who stepped down after three years in charge.

"It's quite a privilege and an honour to be named head coach," Davies said.

"You don't get asked every day to coach at the World Cup.

"I'm very disappointed in one way because we worked really well with Danie Vermeulen, we've had a huge respect for each other.

"But they [Namibia] have asked me to step in and I'm looking forward to it now, it should be a big, big challenge that's for sure."

Davies has also worked at Leeds and been assistant forwards coach at Worcester.

As well as Proctor, Davies will be assisted by former Springbok wing Pieter Rossouw, who has been appointed backline coach having held the same position in South Africa with the Blues Bulls.

Namibia face reigning World Cup holders New Zealand, Argentina, Georgia and Tonga in Pool C at the World Cup in England.

Davies also worked at north Wales team RGC 1404, who play in the nation's third-tier Championship, from December 2014 until the end of that season.

Vermeulen, who was paralysed in an accident in 2000, had been in charge of Namibia since April 2012.