News round-upLlanelli director of rugby Gareth Jenkins performed a major U-turn today by confirming he has applied to become the new head coach of Wales.
Jenkins was initially unwilling to apply for the position left vacant by Mike Ruddock's departure unless significant changes were made at the top of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).
The Scarlets chief felt "publicly humiliated" in 2004 when he was the leading candidate to replace Steve Hansen, only for the WRU to appoint Ruddock, who had not applied for the job.
Jenkins still feels a certain bitterness towards chairman David Pickering and chief executive Steve Lewis but admitted a huge groundswell of support in Wales had forced him to reconsider.
"It is now or never," said Jenkins after submitting his application ahead of last night's deadline. "At the end of the day I would love to do the job and believe I have a lot to offer."
Jenkins's credentials are impressive. He has led Llanelli to eight domestic trophies, the 2003 Celtic League title and to two Heineken European Cup semi-finals. As an assistant to Alan Davies he helped Wales win the 1994 Five Nations title and on last summer's Lions tour the midweek side he coached along with Ian McGeechan were unbeaten.
Jenkins faces competition from Leeds' director of rugby Phil Davies, but he is the people's choice and topped a recent poll with 35 per cent of the vote.
Meanwhile, discontented clubs have made a second attempt at forcing a vote of no confidence in the board of the WRU.
The union, under fire over a number of governance issues and the controversial departure of Ruddock, rejected the clubs' first call on technical grounds on Thursday night.
The WRU received letters from 13 of its 245 clubs but only nine contained the common motion of no confidence - and union regulations state 10 are required to force an extraordinary general meeting.
However, the WRU yesterday took delivery of a 10th requisition and the board will discuss at its next meeting, on April 18th, whether or not it is a valid submission.
It is understood the 10th letter is likely to be accepted and an egm, at which a vote of no confidence would be proposed, would then be called for May 14th.
Former Scotland coach McGeechan tries to deliver his first trophy for Wasps when they meet Llanelli in the inaugural Anglo-Welsh Powergen Cup final at Twickenham tomorrow.
Wasps went into the season with ambitions of mounting a serious challenge for the European Cup but their chances were wrecked when they lost 21-13 away to Llanelli in December.
They gained their revenge with a 48-14 home victory in the return a week later but the damage had been done and Wasps failed to reach the competition's knockout stages.
Wasps, who will go into the final as favourites after winning their last six finals at Twickenham in various competitions since 1999, have since reignited their season and are now chasing the double of a fourth successive league title and the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
