The Welsh Rugby Union has appointed former British Triathlon chief Graeme Maw as its Elite Performance Director.
Maw, 43, became the British Triathlon Association's performance director in 2001 before leaving in October 2006.
He was previously the high performance manager for swimming at the Queensland Academy of Sport in Australia.
Ex-Wales caretaker coach Nigel Davies is named Head of Rugby Development, a role to identify potential Test talent at the earliest opportunity.
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Born in Bristol and a graduate of Loughborough University, Maw has studied exercise physiology in the USA and Australia.
He gained a PhD at the University of Wollongong and was a recognised sports scientist and performance analyst.
After leaving his role with British Triathlon, Maw took up a similar role with British Gymnastics in April 2007.
He will manage the WRU fitness team and will be tasked with creating the best possible environment for elite players in Wales.
"I am delighted to be joining the Welsh Rugby Union because I aim to ensure this proud rugby nation sustains and develops its historic determination to be the best," Maw said.
"In elite sport you have to be at the forefront of all that high-performance management can provide to achieve success.
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"I know I can put in place systems and a culture which will improve the performance of our best players.
"I have already started detailed discussions with Nigel and I know we will be able to use our complimentary skills to create positive results.
"I want to be the best at what I do and becoming the Elite Performance Director for Welsh rugby is a fantastic opportunity for me."
Maw's role as EPD will also place him on the executive board of the WRU reporting directly to group chief executive Roger Lewis.
The WRU launched its global search back in March last year and has struggled to fill the post.
Its aim is to ensure the maximum number of players achieve their potential and build competition for Wales places.
Andrew Hore, who has since become the EPD at the Ospreys, was on the verge of taking the Wales job at the start of October, but negotiations broke down.
This was after former Wales coach Kevin Bowring decided against a move from an elite coaching position with England.
Davies had been strongly linked with the job over the last fortnight after impressing the WRU with his handling of the national side in the one-off Test against South Africa.
But the Union has opted to split the role in two, with Davies taking on a role that oversees every aspect of player, coach and match-official involvement in rugby from grass roots through to the elite game.
Former Leicester and Lions fitness coach Craig White had also been linked with the elite roles in Wales.
But it is Maw and Davies who will now work with new Wales coach Warren Gatland.
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