Jenkins sees red over snubby Wales

LLANELLI SCARLETS director of rugby Gareth Jenkins has launched a scathing attack on the Welsh Rugby Union for the way they appointed Mike Ruddock as the national coach.

Jenkins, a clear favourite to succeed New Zealander Steve Hansen after the RBS Six Nations, last week admitted to being “publicly humiliated” when the union unveiled Gwent Dragons coach Ruddock, who had not even applied for the job.

Jenkins and Mark Evans of Harlequins had been the only two candidates on the governing body’s final shortlist, only for the WRU to knock on Ruddock’s door at the 11th hour.

At Stradey Park yesterday, Jenkins, in a damning assault on the union, accused the five-strong selection panel, including group chief executive David Moffett and chairman David Pickering, of lacking integrity, ethics and respect.

He also accused them of leaking confidential information from the interviews to the Welsh press as well as being “underhanded” in head-hunting Ruddock at the last moment.

“I felt there was something going on at the selection process,” said Jenkins.

“I was very uncomfortable that critical details of my interview had been leaked to the press.

“There was someone in the group who showed a total lack of integrity and respect for the process and I found that hard to deal with.

“Obviously someone was comfortable spinning with the emotions of the public, myself and Mark Evans when knowing quite well that I was not an option to go with.

“If I was not the chosen candidate I was comfortable with that, it was the panel’s choice. Where I felt let down was that if I wasn’t the candidate of choice then I felt I was entitled to know.

“I was comfortable with the way I presented myself in the interview stage. I was comfortable in my views and ethics and when I left I was satisfied I had given a clear view of what I wanted for Welsh rugby.

“What I expected, like anyone else, was transparency. That was not forthcoming.”

Jenkins added: “When it got to the announcement there was no credibility at all. Things were being done underhandedly and behind people’s backs. The panel were quite clear they did not have any intention of letting people know when they were no longer wanted.”

Asked about his future ambitions for coaching Wales, Jenkins responded: “I wouldn’t be very comfortable working with this group of people, having been dealt with the way I have.”