King hoping to help North make regal progress during Six Nations
ALEX King has spoken of his driving ambition with Wales to get George North more on the ball, after revealing how a trip to a famous Welsh golf club got him involved in Rob Howley’s set-up for the Six Nations.
The England international, who partnered Howley at half-back when Wasps ruled the roost in European and English club rugby, will be Wales’ attack guru during the championship.
King left Northampton Saints earlier this season and has replaced Cardiff Blues’ Matt Sherratt, who performed the role during the autumn Tests, in Wales caretaker boss Howley’s backroom staff.
“I met Rob at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club at the beginning of December and he sold the opportunity to me,” said King.
“It was just a fantastic chance to work with him and Shaun Edwards (defence coach) again. I’m immensely proud to be part of the team moving forwards into the Six Nations.”
The trio were key figures in Warren Gatland’s regime at Wasps and King expanded his horizons as a player and coach at major French club Clermont Auvergne
King, who was 41 earlier this week, worked with Wales wing George North at Northampton and is devising plans to get the powerhouse more involved, starting against Italy in Rome on February 5.
“We need to get George on the ball,” said King, before adding: “I know he’s incredibly passionate about playing for Wales.
“He’ll be excited by this tournament and I’m looking forward to working with him but it’s about how the team play. Wales are trying to develop their game, as Rob has said.
“For me, it’s an opportunity to put some ideas in place but not radically change the improvements which came over the course of the autumn.
“I thought there was some good stuff in the South African game and I’m really excited by the squad and the young players coming in.
“We’ve got two weeks before the first game and I’ve had a good chat with a couple of the players to make sure we’re all on the same page for next week because preparation is absolutely key.
“The way Wales started in the autumn (losing heavily to Australia) – we need to make sure that doesn’t happen in Rome because this is Italy’s first Six Nations with Conor O’Shea as coach and they’re a proud team.”