Wayne Pivac: 'no brainer' to succeed Warren Gatland

Wayne Pivac admits it was a "no-brainer" to succeed Warren Gatland as Wales boss - even though he will not take charge for another 16 months.

Pivac was appointed as the next Wales head coach on Monday, but must wait until next July to join the Welsh Rugby Union.

The Scarlets head coach will then succeed fellow New Zealander Gatland after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, with the tournament played in the autumn and the final in Yokohama on November 2.

Gatland has been in charge since December 2007, winning two Grand Slams as well as leading Wales to a World Cup semi-final and quarter-final.

The 54-year-old has coached the British and Irish Lions twice during his Wales tenure, but he told the WRU in November 2015 that he would be stepping down after the 2019 World Cup.

Pivac , a former Auckland policeman, was chosen ahead of fellow Kiwis Dave Rennie and Scott Robinson, who were also on the shortlist for the post.

He has been head coach of the Scarlets since 2014, masterminding last year's Guinness PRO12 title and passage into the semi-finals of this season's Champions Cup.