Warren Gatland and Mark Bennett welcome Craig White, left

Wales have recruited Craig White to bolster elite players' conditioning.

The signing of the former Wasps, Leicester and Lions strength and conditioning coach completes Warren Gatland's backroom team.

White will liaise with Newport-Gwent Dragons and Cardiff Blues while the Ospreys and Llanelli Scarlets will work with conditioning coach Mark Bennett

"Craig's talent and dedication will be of great benefit to the Wales players," said Gatland.

White joins a backroom line-up of Shaun Edwards, Rob Howley, Robyn McBryde and Neil Jenkins charged with building the Wales team towards the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011.

In addition to his work with Wasps, the Irish Rugby Union, the British and Irish Lions and Leicester, White has worked in top class soccer with Bolton Wanderers and studied with experts from the worlds of athletics and professional boxing.

White is currently with the squad on a training week in Wexford, Ireland, and takes up his role immediately before travelling to South Africa for the two-Test tour in June.

"Wales is a great rugby nation and I am delighted to be joining such a dynamic coaching team and in particular to be working alongside such a highly regarded fitness coach as Mark Bennett," said White.

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"Mark's presence here was one of the reasons for me choosing to take on this role.

"We have been in touch on a professional basis many times over recent years and I believe his skills, knowledge and experience will very much complement mine and vice versa.

"I've been aware that this Wales squad under Mark's guidance has made significant developments in key areas in strength and endurance.

"Many of the great things I've heard and seen in relation to the work done here have already been evident in the short time I've spent with the squad in Ireland."

Gatland said: "Since arriving in Wales I have been impressed with the level of co-operation I am getting from the four regions and it is important that they will now reap the benefits of this new appointment."

Welsh Rugby Union Group chief executive Roger Lewis said: "Craig is an extremely impressive individual who has an outstanding record and clearly operates at the forefront of his area of expertise. He has much to offer the game in Wales."