Steve Williams was capped 28 times by Wales

Williams takes up the position from the end of the month and replaces Allen Clarke who recently became Elite Player Development Manager with the IRFU.

The former lock forward was capped 28 times by Wales and turned out for clubs like London Irish and Northampton Saints in an eight-year playing career.

He has held coaching jobs at Coventry, Northampton and Pertemps Bees.

In 2004 he made the move from player to coach when he took up the role of Head Coach at Coventry and in one season he brought Coventry from the relegation zone to a sixth place finish in their league.

In May 2005 he linked up with Northampton Saints team-mate Paul Grayson and became Assistant Forwards Coach at Northampton in a season which saw the team move from 11th in the Premiership table to fifth and qualify for the Heineken Cup.

It became obvious when he met with Mark McCall in Belfast that he was the man for the job Michael Reid

At the end of the 2005-06 season he took a Head Coach position at English National One side Pertemps Bees who reached the semi-final of this season's EDF Energy Cup.

The 36-year-old says he is looking forward to working with the Ulster squad.

"I am very much looking forward to being part of the team at Ulster and feel that it is an honour to be involved in the Ulster set-up.

"I am very excited and keen to get started in my new role and hopefully make a positive difference to the team."

Ulster Rugby Chief Executive Michael Reid said he was "delighted to welcome a coach of Steve's undoubted reputation into the Ulster family".

"Everyone we have spoken to has highlighted Steve as an outstanding coach and man manager.

"His playing and coaching CVs speak for themselves and it became obvious when he met with Mark McCall in Belfast that he was the man for the job," said Reid.