The Central Park great quit the club on Wednesday to take up a role as the Welsh Rugby Union's new Head of Rugby Performance and Development.

The ex-Great Britain rugby league star will take charge of all aspects of Welsh rugby outside the national squad.

His move, which was first revealed in the Wigan Observer more than two weeks ago, comes just months after he switched roles at the Warriors from chief executive to performance director.

That new position was to oversee all levels of Wigan's playing and coaching personnel.

Chairman Ian Lenagan is disappointed to lose the man who he brought to the club once his takeover was completed a year ago, but there are no plans to bring in a new man for the post.

Instead, the Warriors are expected to reshuffle the existing coaching staff to share the responsibilities Lydon was covering.

Ray Unsworth, Phil Veivers and John Pendlebury are on Brian Noble's full-time staff, while Shaun Wane works part-time. If any appointment is made it seems likely to be another coach to bolster the academy set-up.

Lenagan said: "We are confident that the evolution of our performance department will continue to ensure that we can identify, develop and provide opportunities for the best players in the game to flourish at Wigan."

Lydon, 44, is a former team-mate of Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards during their glorious time at Wigan together.

He gathered vast experience in rugby union as England's sevens and backs coach, before returning to the Warriors last year.

But the move to Welsh rugby union was too good for him to resist.
On his appointment, Lydon drew comparisons between Wigan's love for rugby league and Wales' for union.

He said: "I look forward to drawing on my experiences gained from being involved in professional rugby of both codes over the last 25 years.

"Just as it is in my hometown of Wigan, rugby in Wales is much more than a sport, it's a way of life."