Gethin Jenkins has joined Cardiff RFC as defence coach.
The Wales record cap-holder hung up his boots last month following an illustrious career in which he established himself as one of the greats of the game.
Jenkins, who amassed 195 appearances for Cardiff Blues, has taken up an academy role with the region but will now combine that with the defensive duties for the Blue and Blacks.
Cardiff head coach Steve Law said: “Gethin retired from playing as an absolute legend of the game and having watched him work with the Cardiff Blues A team it was a no brainer to get him involved here.
“His vast experience, expertise and knowledge will be of huge benefit to us. He was renowned for his defensive capabilities, leadership and for the standards he set and the players can learn a huge amount from that.
“It is a great coup for us and for Gethin and Cardiff Blues, it provides further exposure and opportunity in his coaching development.”
Jenkins joins former teammate Thomas Rhys Thomas, Llyr Lane and James Dixon in Law’s coaching team and is looking forward to contributing to the remainder of Cardiff’s season.
Ahead of this weekend’s clash with Merthyr at the Wern, the Blue and Blacks sit third in the Principality Premiership.
Jenkins added: “It’s great to link up with Cardiff RFC alongside my role with the Blues academy and I’m looking forward to contributing to the group in whatever way I can.
“Defence is something I feel I know well, having spent so long being coached by Shaun Edwards and worked closely with Richard Hodges.
“Hopefully I can help the Blue and Blacks as they enter the second half of the season, while gaining further experience in my own progression into coaching.”
During a stellar career, Jenkins won 129 Wales caps, five for the British & Irish Lions and spent 14 seasons with Cardiff Blues, either side of a campaign with Toulon. He won four Six Nations, including three Grand Slams, the Heineken Cup, two European Challenge Cups and the Anglo-Welsh Cup.