Hore arrives with a formidable reputation for driving change

"It was a surprise, but a pleasant one," Holley told BBC Sport Wales.

"We've got a tight unit with proven success and Andrew will find a lot of good practice here. He offers a lot of expertise and he'll take us further."

Hore's appointment was also welcomed by Ospreys director of rugby Kevin Hopkins and coach Lyn Jones.

SCRUM V DEBATE ON 606 I'm worried about the WRU not being able to land Hore AO

"These are exciting times, we're a very large region and are still putting structures in place," said Hopkins, whose appointment in September 2006 also came out of the blue.

"I've been overseeing the region for some time and have had meetings with the board, Andrew will work in conjunction with that and enhance our position.

"We can be very insular as a nation, but when we have talent we have to use it. Anything Andrew can bring from outside has to be good for the region.

The directors and board have been hugely supportive of myself and the rest of the coaching staff Ospreys coach Lyn Jones

"I'm looking forward to working with him and developing more players for Wales."

In October, former Wales fitness coach Hore was thought to be close to taking the national EPD role with the Welsh Rugby Union, but when that fell through the Ospreys stepped in with a three-and-a-half-year contract, to start in February.

"Everyone in Welsh rugby has huge respect for Andrew and what he has achieved," Lyn Jones told BBC Sport Wales.

"He's a very good professional and we look forward to meeting up with him. We've been discussing how to take things forward and this is a good appointment.

"The directors and board have been hugely supportive of myself and the rest of the coaching staff in our four-and-a-half-years as a region.