AS you'd expect from a man who finished second only to fearless warrior prince Owain Glyndwr in a poll to find the greatest ever North Walian, Robin McBryde has never been afraid of a challenge.

Never mind that Lemmy from Motorhead finished fifth, above Hawarden's William Gladstone, Rhyl's Nerys Hughes, Tremadog's Lawrence of Arabia and Colwyn Bay's Timothy Dalton.

The fact is McBryde was headed only by the legendary figure who put the English crown on the back foot. In short, voters saw the crunching former Wales hooker as the greatest living North Walian.

Little wonder he doesn't expect to lose sleep over the challenge of doing two jobs in the new rugby season, combining his Wales forwards coach role with a similar post at the Scarlets.

"It's a good challenge," said McBryde, who admitted to being astounded at finishing runner-up in the North Wales poll. "I'm confident in my ability and think the move is right because it gives me an opportunity to broaden my horizons and become a more rounded coach with the week-to-week challenges.

"You could argue that I should have stayed in the comfort zone and decided against taking it on.

"But I've never acted that way in my life and I'm not going to start doing it now."

The Scarlets job is McBryde's first regional coaching role. His Wales colleague Shaun Edwards has provided the template for a dual professional existence by working in international rugby while having a club role at Wasps.

He has succeeded despite having to bomb up and down the M4 to keep watch over both camps.

McBryde's arrangement shouldn't involve much overlapping, with the deal arranged letting him stay with the Scarlets at all times when Wales are not playing or building for games.

"There shouldn't be a problem," said Scarlets head coach Nigel Davies. "For the vast majority of the time Robin will be with us. Leading into major events with Wales and throughout those events he will be with them.

"We are quite clear where the cut-offs are."

McBryde continued: "Shaun is definitely one of those people who makes things happen. He's not a great rugby watcher and he manages to juggle the two roles.

"It isn't a case of one rule suits all. You have to be a certain kind of personality to fill both roles. It will be hard work, but until I put myself in that position I won't know. I've always been the type who likes rolling his sleeves up and getting his hands dirty.

"This gives me an opportunity to work in a regional environment and expand on my Wales role. I think I'll benefit and the players I'm coaching will benefit as well."

But the challenge won't be easy, with the Scarlets needing their front five to provide a stronger platform in the season ahead.

New signing Jonny Fa'amatuainu can play lock, but the West Walians could do with Dominic Day and Lou Reed projecting themselves as Test-quality locks.

If they can make significant advances at the heart of the Llanelli-based team's pack, and the props show greater resolve, the Scarlets will be on their way to putting last season's disappointments behind them.

They open their pre-season at Kingsholm tomorrow facing a Gloucester side looking to improve after finishing seventh in the Premiership last season.