Wallabies skills coach Richard Graham has been appointed assistant coach at the Western Force.

Graham will continue on as Robbie Deans' backline lieutenant with the Australian Test team in a "shared services" arrangement.

Australian Rugby Union high performance boss David Nucifora said the arrangement would be beneficial to both the Force and the Wallabies.

"Robbie wants our coaches to coach as often as they can and this arrangement with the Force will give Richard an opportunity to do that in another elite environment," Nucifora said.

Graham, a former Queensland fullback and Australian sevens captain, started with the Test team this year after stints with Bath and Saracens in England.

He takes the post from another former Reds back in John Mulvihill.

Despite the loss of playmaker Matt Giteau to the Brumbies, Graham is excited by the Force's prospects under former All Blacks coach John Mitchell in the 2010 Super 14.

"There is plenty of potential and quality in the likes of James O'Connor, Pek Cowan, Matt Hodgson, Ryan Cross and David Pocock, not to mention the presence and leadership of Nathan Sharpe," he said.

"I see plenty of other players ready to make the step to the highest level too.

"I can only see the arrangement as being mutually beneficial going forward."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP