Gareth Baber has been appointed head coach of the Fiji men's sevens team until the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Photo: AFP/Pascal Guyot

The 44-year-old has captained Wales in the World Sevens Series, two Sevens World Cups, and two Commonwealth Games.

He is the current head coach of the Hong Kong men's and women's sevens teams, having been appointed at the end of 2013, and previously had stints as the assistant and then head coach of the Wales men's sevens team between 2005 and 2008.

Baber is a World Rugby level four Accredited Coach and also has experience in the 15-a-side game, including a spell as head coach of the Cardiff Blues.

Photo: AFP

He replaces Englishman Ben Ryan who stepped down following three years in charge, leading Fiji to two World Series titles and gold at the Rio Olympics.

Because of his current role with the Hong Kong team, Baber is required to give three months notice and will not begin his role with Fiji until the end of January.

Nacani Cawanibuka, the current Fiji sevens strength and conditioning coach, will be in charge of the national team for the Oceania Sevens in Suva and the opening legs of the World Series in Dubai and Cape Town.

Meanwhile Iliesa Tanivula will continue as coach of the Fijiana women's sevens team, following Chris Cracknell's decision to stand down as Fiji Rugby's Director of Women's Sevens at the end of the Rio Olympics.