FORMER Newport County AFC manager James Rowberry has landed a role in the coaching team for Wales women ahead of the friendly against the Republic of Ireland on February 27.

The 38-year-old was sacked by County in October 2022 after a year in charge at Rodney Parade and has since been appointed the FAW’s head of elite coach education.

Jon Grey has been named interim head coach for the game following the departure of Gemma Grainger last month.

And Rowberry will be one of two assistant coaches alongside Wales’ all-time leading goalscorer Helen Ward.

“It will be a privilege to be involved with the team later this month and I can't wait to get started with the players and staff,” said the former Exiles boss, who previously worked as a coach at Cardiff City.

“It will be a great opportunity to build on the experiences from the recent Nations League campaign against strong opposition that were in last year’s World Cup, as we look to reach our first major tournament as a nation.”

Former striker Ward, aged 37, said: “I’m honoured to be involved again with such a special group and I can't wait to get started.

“I was extremely fortunate to experience the highs and lows of international football with some incredible teammates through my 15-year Cymru career.

“I hope that those experiences and the learnings from my recent coaching qualifications can help aid the team in a different role as we look to qualify for our first ever major tournament.”

Ward returns to the Wales international set-up having retired as a player in 2023 after scoring 44 goals in 105 international appearances.

She recently gained a Uefa B coaching licence in the Football of Association of Wales' (FAW) coach education system.

Former Swansea City academy coach Grey had been assistant to Grainger before her shock exit on January 10, when she announced she was standing down to take over as Norway boss.

The FAW are hoping to have a new permanent management team in place before qualifying for Euro 2025 begins in April.

Wales were relegated from Nations League Group A3 having taken only one point from six games in a group that also featured Germany, Denmark and Iceland.

They were beaten 5-0 by both Germany and Denmark in the group, but finished the campaign with an encouraging goalless draw against the Germans in Swansea.

The friendly against the Republic in Dublin is a warm-up for Euro 2025 qualifying, the draw for which takes place in early March.

“I am delighted that both Helen and James will be involved in the camp later this month, bringing with them their extensive knowledge and experience of the international game,” said Grey.

“As a group I am positive that we can prepare the squad to be in the best place possible ahead of the qualifiers which will start in April, building on the learnings of the recent Nations League campaign.”