Phil Davies has coached Leeds, the Scarlets and Wales U20

Wales Under-20s coach and national academy manager Phil Davies will join Worcester as their forwards coach.

Davies will link up at Sixways with new Warriors head coach Richard Hill, who replaced Mike Ruddock after Worcester's Guinness Premiership relegation.

"It has been a very difficult decision to leave the Welsh Rugby Union," former Scarlets coach Davies said.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute. But I have a huge passion for coaching and hope one day to coach Wales."

The WRU appointed former Wales captain Davies as its first national academy manager last year, combining that job with his role as Wales U20 coach.

Davies led Wales U20 to seventh place at the IRB Junior World Championships in Argentina last June.

"I want to thank the WRU. I've been 100% committed to my roles here over the past two years and also learnt an immense amount," Davies said.

"I'm greatly appreciative of Worcester Warriors who have given me the opportunity to return to professional coaching, and to the WRU for considering and granting my request to do so."

Davies and Hill are coaching contemporaries from the days when Hill was in charge at Bristol and Davies was at Leeds.

Hill spent six years in charge of Bristol before leaving the memorial Stadium in February 2009. He took up a post with French side Chalon-sur-Saone, but in May signed a two-year contract at Sixways.

Hill says he is delighted to have Davies as a key part of his backroom staff.

"We worked closely when completing our RFU Level 5 and I got to know about his coaching philosophy," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"We'd talked about working together so I know Phil is the ideal coach and will be a fantastic success at Sixways."

"I know Phil very well having played against him when representing England against Wales and also at club level," Hill continued.

"As a coach I have watched him progress and have always admired what he did at Leeds.

"He built the whole club, as opposed to just the team on the field."

WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis added: "Phil leaves with our best wishes. While we are sad to see him go, I am pleased that we were able to conclude a swift and successful negotiation with Worcester Warriors for the release of Phil from his WRU contract."

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