Glasgow Warriors forwards coach will leave the club at the end of the season to join the new management set-up in his Wales.
The former Wales captain has worked in Scotland since 2013, initially working as forwards coach with the national team under then interim head coach Scott Johnson, whose departure to return to his native Australia was confirmed earlier this week after a spell as Scottish Rugby’s director of rugby.
Humphreys stayed on as Scotland forwards coach when Vern Cotter took charge the following year, helping the New Zealander transforming a demoralised squad that had won just five of 16 matches under Johnson and was consequently whitewashed during Cotter’s first Six Nations Championship by making badly needed personnel changes that reinvigorated a team which came close to reaching a World Cup semi-final later that year.
As part of a re-shuffle following Cotter’s surprise release from his coaching role last year, Humphreys switched to Glasgow Warriors, working under another New Zealander, Dave Rennie and has, this season, helped bring a much needed extra edge to their play that has brought a new level of competitiveness on two fronts.
That has led this offer to head back to Wales as part of a new coaching team being assembled by yet another Kiwi, Wayne Pivac, who will take over from compatriot Warren Gatland as their head coach next year and also appointed former Wales stand off Stephen Jones as their new backs coach.
However, while Humphreys is clearly thrilled to be given that opportunity, he pledged his full commitment to Glasgow until the end of the season.
“It’s a huge honour to return to Wales during what is a really exciting time for Welsh Rugby. The opportunity to come back and coach my country with Wayne and Stephen is one that I couldn’t turn down,” he said.
“I will always take great pride in my time here (in Scotland) and the growth and success that the whole of Scottish Rugby have experienced in that time.
“In the meantime, I have a job to do in Glasgow and my focus will be solely here until the end of the season.
“The club set-up at Scotstoun is one of the best I have experienced during my coaching career and it would be fantastic to try and finish up with some silverware.”
Glasgow head coach Rennie paid tribute to his assistant and made it clear that he was leaving with his full support.
“I’ve loved my time working with Humphs, he’s got a great sense of humour and an outstanding work ethic,” said Rennie.
“He’s had a massive influence on our young pack. His attention to detail and technical excellence has overseen a huge improvement in our forwards over the last 18 months.
“It’s a great honour for him to go home and coach his country and he goes with our best wishes. We’ll all miss him.”
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