LLANELLI SCARLETS have appointed Nigel Davies as their new head coach.

Ian McGeechan is expected to be confirmed as head coach of the 2009 British and Irish Lions later this morning.

Llanelli Scarlets could be on the verge of making two major southern hemisphere signings – despite sacking their rugby director Phil Davies.

Llanelli Scarlets are expected to confirm later today the departure of their rugby director Phil Davies, with speculation mounting that former Wales coach Gareth Jenkins could make a dramatic Stradey Park return.

Wales 25 France 13

Wales are hoping to make it three from three in this year's U-18 Six Nations Festival in Cork but the young Welsh players will be sternly tested by France who are on the hunt for a first win.

Wales and Italy have named their sides to play each other at the Mardyke this Saturday at 2.30pm in the U-18 Six Nations Festival sponsored by the Bowen Group.

BRING on the world champions!

SITTING in the bowels of the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, Gareth Thomas’ voice cracked with raw emotion as he surveyed the smouldering wreckage of Wales’ World Cup campaign.

Gavin Henson is aiming for a “10 out of 10” performance in Wales’ Grand Slam showdown with France at the Millennium Stadium this weekend.

WALES captain Ryan Jones insists his side are ready to paint Dublin red by ending their Ireland agony, saying Croke Park is ‘just another pitch’.

After a limited period in the country Gatland also realised that given the quality of backs available to him, he needed an out-and-out open side to complement the running game he was likely to pursue.

WALES scrumhalf Mike Phillips is ready to unleash two years of pent-up frustration after being selected ahead of arch-rival Dwayne Peel for the first time in his career.

WALES have not beaten England at Twickenham in 20 years — but they have hired the ideal coaching team to break that headquarters hoodoo.

A CROWD of up to 10,000 turned out to say farewell to former Scarlets, Wales and Lions rugby star Ray Gravell yesterday in a final service which was akin to a state funeral.

NEW Wales coach Warren Gatland has urged the nation’s demanding supporters “not to expect miracles from day one”.

New Wales coach Warren Gatland has urged the nation’s demanding supporters “not to expect miracles from day one.”

WARREN GATLAND has all but confirmed he is poised to take charge of Wales.

WARREN Gatland has admitted he is “very interested” in taking over as the coach of Wales.

Warren Gatland has admitted he is “very interested” in taking over as the coach of Wales' national rugby team.

Simon Easterby enters the Heineken Cup sharing a common bond with many of his Llanelli team-mates which spans international boundaries.

Wales World Cup captain Gareth Thomas has lifted the lid on his side’s early elimination from the tournament.

It is difficult to disagree with outgoing International Rugby Board chairman Dr Syd Millar that France 2007 was “the best ever World Cup”.

SCOTT JOHNSON was surprised to learn he had been installed as favourite to replace Gareth Jenkins as Wales head coach.

Sacked Wales coach Gareth Jenkins insisted he leaves the job with no regrets despite failing to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

THE Welsh Rugby Union acted swiftly and decisively to sack head coach Gareth Jenkins less than 24 hours after Wales crashed out of the World Cup after defeat to Fiji.

Gareth Jenkins has been sacked as Wales head coach after his side crashed out of the World Cup.

The Welsh Rugby Union have begun an immediate review process after Wales were sent crashing out of the World Cup.

Wales 34 Fiji 38

WALES will share a beer with the Fiji team after today’s World Cup eliminator in Nantes but are determined it will be a party and not a wake.

Wales captain Gareth Thomas will win his 100th cap in Saturday’s World Cup eliminator against Fiji after making a rapid return from injury.

Tom Shanklin is determined to break his scoring drought in Wales’ World Cup eliminator against Fiji – if only to stop his team-mate Shane Williams from hogging the limelight.

Wales 72 Japan 18

Wales 72 Japan 18

Wales expect captain Gareth Thomas to be fit for the World Cup quarter-finals after a scan indicated his rib cartilage injury is not as bad as first feared.

Wales captain Gareth Jenkins fears he could have played for Wales for the last time after admitting his rib injury could rule him out of the remainder of the World Cup.

Wales 20 Australia 32

Wales captain Gareth Thomas insists his men are ready to face down their biggest challenge since the 2005 Grand Slam and produce a “defining” victory over Australia.

Australia suffered a major injury scare on the eve of their crunch World Cup game against Wales when Stephen Larkham aggravated an old knee injury in training.

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins today recalled Stephen Jones to start at fly-half in Saturday’s pivotal World Cup clash with Australia and passionately insisted: “He is the right man for the job”.

Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins has recalled experienced trio Stephen Jones, Gareth Thomas and Colin Charvis for Saturday’s pivotal World Cup clash with Australia in Cardiff.

Legendary Wales fly-half Neil Jenkins is convinced James Hook will use this World Cup as the launch-pad to become the best number 10 on the planet.

WALES fly-half Stephen Jones last night declared himself fit to start the World Cup — just six weeks after fearing he would be ruled out of the tournament altogether.

GARETH JENKINS admitted Wales were taught a lesson in finishing by France as they signed off ahead of the World Cup with a 34-7 defeat at the Millennium Stadium.