THE Black and Ambers have appointed former professional player Tyron Morris as their new forwards coach with Newport Gwent Dragons back rower Lewis Evans to act as defence guru.

Morris, who played at the highest club level for Cross Keys and Ebbw Vale before Wales made the transition to regional rugby in 2003, will leave his role as Risca head coach.

He takes over as Newport forwards boss from David Gray who will continue to have a role, unspecified at this stage, with the club.

Things have dramatically altered at Rodney Parade in the past few months with former Dragons outside half Craig Warlow replacing head coach Sven Cronk in early March after the ex-Newport prop spent seven seasons in charge.

It’s fair to say things haven’t been rosy for a while at the famous club who have failed to mount a serious challenge for silverware for many years.

Rugby has changed immeasurably since their halcyon days in the 1950 and 60s when New Zealand, South Africa and Australia all lost in the city.

So much so that this season they ended up bottom of the semi-professional Principality Premiership with just five wins from 22 games, only avoiding the shame of relegation to the Swalec Championship because that league’s victors Bargoed couldn’t be promoted on stringent criteria grounds.

Newport did end the season on a high however by thumping Aberavon at home 34-5 with a bonus point victory last week that promises better times.

Warlow, who was backs coach under Cronk, has called for a culture change at the club as he attempts to revive their fortunes and he will look to his new lieutenants to knock the side into shape over the summer.

Morris was an accomplished back row forward with Keys in the Welsh-Scottish League before playing for the Steelmen in the Celtic League, what would be the equivalent of today’s Guinness PRO12.

Injury curtailed his promising playing career but the 35-year-old has enjoyed a successful start to his coaching career.

Under his guidance, Risca won Division Three East title last year, gaining promotion into Division One East as part of the Welsh Rugby Union’s revised league structure.

They have performed well in their first season and are currently placed in mid table.

Evans is a seasoned and highly regarded player who became a professional player with the Dragons after cutting his teeth with Newport and has been helping out with the coaching at his old club in recent months.

Newport chairman Will Godfrey is pleased to have both Morris and Evans join the set-up.

He said: “We are delighted to have both of them on board. Lewis will continue to be involved with us and we welcome Ty who will bring with him a different approach.

“He also has tremendous knowledge of the local game within our regional area.”