Adam Jones is developing a good reputation as a coach with Harlequins(Image: Getty Images)

Rugby morning headlines as Wales put on alert by Adam Jones revelation and another Welsh coach plots downfall

The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world

09 Nov 2021, 08:09 by Glen Williams · Wales Online

Here are your rugby morning headlines for Tuesday, November 9.

In-demand Welsh coach set to explore options

Welsh coach Adam Jones is reportedly set to explore his options as it emerged his contract with Gallagher Premiership champions Harlequins is up at the end of the season.

Jones was part of the remarkable coaching group that led Quins to success last year in the absence of a traditional head coach, so the former Ospreys, Wales and Lions prop's stock could hardly be any higher - with a number of clubs and international sides, potentially including Wales given their scrum issues, likely to be taking notice.

The Daily Mail report that Nick Evans, Jerry Flannery and Adam Jones all have deals that run out in June.

And they add that there are no offers on the table.

The report adds that that all three men, who are credited with not only keeping a wantaway Marcus Smith at the club but putting him on track for England caps and a Lions call-up, are believed to be keen on staying.

But they are considering their options with time running out to sort their contracts.

It has been suggested the hold-up may be due to the ongoing agent-versus-club stand-off over the payments of fees to representatives.

Baber focused on helping Fiji

Fiji's Welsh coach Gareth Baber has insisted that, while Wales of course holds a place in his heart, he is fully focused on earning a win for the tourists in Cardiff this Sunday.

Baber, who led Fiji to Olympic sevens gold in Tokyo, represented Wales in sevens and has also held a post as Wales under-20s assistant coach before heading to the Pacific island to take over from Ben Ryan in 2016.

He helped the Fijian sevens team win 11 tournaments on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series so, after stepping down as their coach this summer, emerged as the prime candidate to take over the 15s side on a temporary basis after head coach Vern Cotter was told he could not take charge of the team's European autumn series due to travel restrictions.

But while the emotional tug of coming up against his native Wales pulls strongly ahead of the weekend, Baber is determined to help the Flying Fijians come away with a win at the Principality Stadium this weekend.

He told Fiji Times: “Going back to coach 15s, if my path takes me to the Flying Fijians in the future then as I said before there are two teams in my life I can say that, it will be Wales and Fiji. Obviously the reason for that is because it is where my heart is and what I love doing.

“Fiji is a big part of my life. But then I have a bit of learning to do before that as I get myself back into the 15s environment. I have to be put under that pressure and will have to prove to myself that I have those credentials because ultimately for both nations my dream is to keep coaching to the best of my ability and that is possibly something that comes in the future.

“Having been out of Wales for some time, I have the opportunity to play against Wales in the Millennium Stadium – something I never thought would come my way. You want to win every game and it will be strange but my sights are firmly set on helping Fiji.”

Baber will become assistant coach of Edinburgh after Fiji's autumn series concludes.

Cunningham: SA will test Wales up front

Wales Women head coach Ioan Cunningham believes South Africa will pose a threat up front when they go toe to toe on Saturday afternoon.

Cunningham's side are still riding the crest of a wave after a dominant display against Japan saw them run out comfortab le 23-5 victors on Sunday night.

But South Africa, who sit four places above Wales in the world rankings, will be a far tougher challenge at the Cardiff Arms Park this Saturday lunchtime.

And Cunningham believes his pack will be tested and have to achieve parity if they are to come away with impressive back-to-back wins to kick off their autumn.

“South Africa is going to be a good challenge mentally more so than physically," Cunningham said.

“It’s about being able to park Japan. We were on a high from Sunday night straight away, but we’ve got to focus and move on quickly.

“Discipline and trying not to concede piggyback penalties is one area for us to improve on. Our breakdown needs fine-tuning as well so we can make the most of the opportunities we created.

“South Africa are a different team to Japan and kick the ball a lot more so our backfield will have to be aware of that, but it gives us more counterattack opportunities.

“They’re a set-piece team too so they will challenge us up front which we’re looking forward to.

“We will give opportunities. A lot of girls have put their hands up in training as well as in the Japan match.”

Pitch invader banned for life

The man who invaded the pitch during Wales v South Africa at the Principality Stadium will receive a lifetime ban from all rugby events at the ground, it has been announced.

The intruder caused uproar after entering the field of play during the final quarter of the game on Saturday.

He climbed over the pitchside barriers and onto the pitch - reportedly for a £20 bet - and got in the way of Liam Williams as he looked to make the most of a potential try-scoring opportunity. Instead, Williams had to dodge the man and the steward who tackled him to the ground as Wales ended the game on the wrong side of a narrow 23-18 scoreline.

Principality Stadium manager Mark Williams said: "Working collaboratively with South Wales Police we were able to identify the pitch invader who entered the field of play during Wales v South Africa at Principality Stadium on Saturday 6th November 2021.

"The WRU, Principality Stadium and South Wales Police condemns any behaviour of this kind, and the individual will be issued with a lifetime ban from buying any tickets from the WRU for rugby events held at Principality Stadium in future.

"We were deeply disappointed to discover the individual is a registered player and member of a rugby club; and the WRU are currently investigating this as a Code of Conduct breach.

Read the full story here.

Ken Owens leaves Wales squad

Wales have lost another Lion from their autumn series campaign with Ken Owens forced to withdraw from the squad because of injury.

The news comes after last week’s triple blow that saw Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau and Ross Moriarty declared off limits for the remainder of the pre-Christmas Tests, all because of bumps.

There had been hopes that Owens might be fit for the campaign finale against Australia a week on Saturday, but he hasn’t recovered from the back injury that forced him to miss the matches with New Zealand and South Africa.

He will now be absent for the dates with Fiji and the Wallabies, with Ryan Elias, Bradley Roberts and Kirby Myhill continuing to look after the Welsh hooking duties.

Despite Elias playing well against South Africa, Wayne Pivac could have done without the news on Owens.

The 82-cap forward has vast experience, physicality and leadership that would have come in handy for the game with Australia.

He will now be released back to the Scarlets, with Pivac doubtless hoping the 34-year-old will have recovered in time for the Six Nations.