Jenkins ire at WRU over Ruddock Lions u-turn

SCARLETS coach Gareth Jenkins has taken a swipe at the Welsh Rugby Union for allowing Wales coach Mike Ruddock to join the Lions tour.

All the Wales coaching staff were initially barred from joining Clive Woodward’s backroom set-up. Because of the WRU’s stance, Jenkins was set to be the only Welsh member.

“They were adamant they did not want any of their backroom staff considered for the tour, so it puzzles me why they suddenly want Mike to go,” he said.

Jenkins says the WRU has missed a golden opportunity for more of Ruddock’s team to gain valuable experience in the Lions environment.

Ruddock, who led Wales to their first Grand Slam for 27 years in this season’s Six Nations, has said he will only join the Lions if he is given a definite role.

When Jenkins returns from New Zealand he will continue as director of rugby at Scarlets, after chief executive Stuart Gallacher scotched rumours that Jenkins would leave Stradey Park.

“We did sit down and discuss the long-term future of the Scarlets, Gareth’s future and everybody else concerned with the club,” Gallacher said.

“We discussed it openly, honestly and fully and came to the decision, which I recommended to the board, that Gareth Jenkins continues as director of rugby with a hands-on role responsible for first-team coaching.

“Gareth’s had a huge effort this year in setting up the region.

“He’s put a huge amount of work in outside the normal hours to try and get the region up and running in development. But others now have to take that role on and Gareth has to concentrate on the first-team squad, which he understands.”

Newcastle will wait until an hour before kick-off before announcing whether Jonny Wilkinson will face Northampton tonight.

The Falcons have confirmed Wilkinson will not start the Zurich Premiership encounter but the club have not yet named their replacements. The England star has not played since mid-March because of a knee injury.