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Robin McBryde will be Wales head coach during next June’s tour of the Pacific Islands following Rob Howley’s appointment as backs guru of the Lions.

It will be the third time forwards boss McBryde has been put in caretaker charge of his country, both previous occasions coinciding with Warren Gatland and Howley being away on Lions business.

The former Lions and Wales hooker guided Wales to victories over the United States and Canada in 2009 and a fortunate win over Japan in the opening Test in 2013 before coming unstuck in the second Test against the minnows.

Wales face Samoa and Tonga on dates and at venues to be confirmed. The rest of McBryde’s coaching staff are expected to be confirmed next week.

But there will be a vacancy for a backs coach. Former Wales wing Mark Jones, who is currently working wonders at Principality Premiership new boys RGC 1404, filled the role three years ago after being in brought in for that year’s Six Nations.

Cardiff Blues backs coach Matt Sherratt was brought in by Howley for last month’s Test series but it’s unclear if he will be involved in next year’s Six Nations.

With Wales’ performances having been underwhelming and England and Ireland flying high, their Lions contingent of players could be smaller than in 2013 and 2009 for the trip to the Pacific.

“The tour is an exciting opportunity for the squad, it is always an honour to represent your country and to do so overseas carries with it extra responsibility,” said McBryde.

“We will be facing two passionate rugby nations and it will be a huge challenge for the players, but an opportunity for them to show what they are able to do in the red jersey.

“For me it is another exciting opportunity to lead the team. It is something I have thoroughly enjoyed in the past and I’m really looking forward to doing it again at the end of the season.

“As is natural in a Lions year, we will inevitably have some senior players missing, but our focus will very much be on discovering future potential alongside maintaining current standards and, hopefully, coming away with two good performances and wins.”

WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips said: “Rob joins Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions coaching team with our best wishes, as the Lions embark upon one of the toughest and most high profile campaigns in the world game.

“Both coaches can only benefit from the coaching experiences available to them and, in turn, we know the Wales national squad set-up will be able to reap the rewards of that experience upon their return to us.

“We have a clear strategy in Welsh rugby, with coaching and coach development a central priority at all levels of the game.

“It will be of huge benefit to Welsh rugby in the long term that, within a small window during their coaching careers, we are able to provide significant development opportunities for Warren, Rob and Robin.

“We are also at an advanced stage in discussions with a number of other individuals about the summer tour and hope to be in a position to confirm the full make-up of the management team next week.”

WRU chairman Gareth Davies said: “2017 is a real summer of opportunity for Welsh coaches and should benefit the whole of Welsh rugby in the years ahead.

“Because of the nature of international rugby it is not often that you get the opportunity to develop coaches in different environments.

“Our coaches and players have been invigorated by their Lions experiences on previous campaigns and there is little doubt that a tour of New Zealand will provide the ultimate test and so once again both mentally stimulate and inspire each individual.”