Wales boss Gareth Jenkins yesterday unveiled the coaching team he will take in to the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Former hooker Robin McBryde has been named forwards coach, ex-Wales flanker Rowland Phillips will take charge of defence and world points record-holder Neil Jenkins will oversee kicking duties.
It is the same all-Welsh team that assisted Gareth Jenkins and Nigel Davies during Wales' tour to Argentina last summer. The coaches have been contracted until the end of the 2007-08 Six Nations Championship.
Jenkins will turn his attention on Wednesday week to naming his 30-man squad for the four autumn internationals, including naming his captain. Wales play England (Twickenham, August 4th), Argentina (Millennium Stadium, August 18th) and France (Millennium Stadium, August 25th).
Fijian-born rugby player Jone Tawake has had a finger amputated in the hope of ensuring his fitness for next year's World Cup in France.
The 24-year-old ACT Brumbies number eight, capped by Australia at under-19 and under-21 level, had the ring finger on his right hand removed in an operation in Canberra last week. Previous attempts to repair a dislocation had resulted in a severe infection.
"It was a big decision," said Tawake, a former Waratahs forward. "I thought about my rugby future, especially with my history of injuries, and I couldn't afford to have any more time off.
"With the World Cup next year, I wanted to give myself every chance and to do that I needed a good pre-season."
The Scottish Rugby Union have confirmed the IRB Sevens World Series will be played in Scotland. The final leg will be played at Murrayfield on June 2nd-3rd next year.
