Wales have sacked Wayne Pivac and reappointed Warren Gatland as head coach with less than 12 months to go until the Rugby World Cup.
Pivac succeeded Gatland in the role following the 2019 edition of the World Cup, with a view to taking them through to next year's tournament in France.
However, the 60-year-old won just 13 and lost 20 of his 34 Tests at the helm for Wales, including only three of 12 matches during his final year in charge.
The WRU have now decided to sack Pivac following a disappointing autumn series which included a first-ever loss to Georgia.
Wales were also beaten at home by Italy during this year's Six Nations, although Pivac did lead the country to the 2021 Six Nations title and a first Test victory away to South Africa during his time in charge.
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Gatland returns to the post having previously overseen Wales from 2007 to 2019, ending his first stint as the nation's longest-reigning and most successful ever coach.
The 59-year-old New Zealander won four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams, and led Wales to two World Cup semi-finals during his previous spell at the helm.
Gatland, who will leave Super Rugby side the Chiefs to take the job, also led Wales to number one in the world during his last year in charge, but they have since tumbled to ninth.
Gatland will take Wales into next year's Six Nations and Rugby World Cup, with the potential to stay in charge for the 2027 tournament too.
"This is an opportunity to achieve something with a talented group of players in a country so passionate about rugby," Gatland said in a statement.
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"A country which made my family and I so welcome, when we first arrived 15 years ago, and all the time we were there. There is little time for sentiment, professional sport is all about preparation, values and results.
"There will be new challenges as there always is with a change in head coach, but for me the environment, the players and their families will always come first.
"We must prepare to the best of our ability in the time available. We will value and respect each other, we will work hard and, if we get this right together, performances and results will follow."
Pivac added in a statement of his own: "Unfortunately, the results or performances this year were not all as we hoped. As a group we all take responsibility for that, but me in particular as head coach.
"We have played some really good rugby at times, but needed to do that more consistently. However, I know that there is a strong foundation for the squad to progress to great things in the future.
"I would like to thank the players, coaches, management and the WRU for their commitment, support and hard work in my time as head coach and to all the people in Wales for making me feel at home here over the past eight years."
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WRU chief executive Steve Phillips added: "This is one of the toughest calls to make in sport, but the review process has reached its conclusion and we have acted quickly and efficiently in the very best interests of our national team.
"Ultimately we are in the results business and we have agreed with Wayne that the current trajectory for Wales is not where we want it to be. We thank him sincerely for his time, enthusiasm, diligence and effort, which is unquestioned, as head coach over the last three years.
"We were sorry to see him go when he left and we are delighted that he has agreed to return. He will undoubtedly be able to make an immediate impact, just as he did when he joined us for the first time in 2008.
"But it has also been important to both parties to ensure we get absolute maximum gain out of the return of such an experienced and highly regarded individual.
"It is for this reason that we are particularly pleased to have been able to secure Warren's services for the next few years with the ability to go to the 2027 Rugby World Cup. This appointment is no quick fix, nor sticking plaster, it is part of our long term planning for the game in Wales."
Gatland's first match of his second spell in charge will be the Six Nations opener against Ireland at the Principality Stadium.
Barney Corkhill
