The latest rugby news and headlines from Wales and beyond

Team insiders say the injury has thrown strategic preparations into disarray. The player’s role, both as a leader and playmaker, was pivotal in the current system, particularly in defensive organisation and set-piece execution.

“You can’t just replace someone like that overnight,” said a senior teammate. “It changes everything — the shape, the leadership, the confidence. He’s a massive presence on and off the field.” Analysts agree that Wales will now have to rely on inexperienced players in crucial positions, increasing the pressure heading into a tough international window.

Adding another twist to an already turbulent week, the WRU confirmed that Neil Jenkins, one of the greatest Welsh players of all time and a long-time assistant coach, has officially been promoted to a major new role overseeing national skills development and tactical coordination.

Jenkins, whose name is synonymous with precision kicking and ironclad professionalism, will now be responsible for aligning the national team’s playing philosophy with the regional academies. The move is widely seen as part of a broader push to modernise Welsh rugby structures and create a unified system from grassroots to elite level.

For Jenkins, the timing is both fortuitous and symbolic. As a player, he was renowned for overcoming adversity — broken bones, career-threatening injuries, and relentless criticism — only to return stronger each time.

Now, as a senior figure guiding a new generation, his challenge will be to steady the ship during one of the most destabilising moments Wales has faced in recent years. Speaking after his appointment, Jenkins expressed both pride and concern.

“It’s an incredible honour,” he said. “But it’s also a tough moment for the team. Losing a player of that calibre hurts, and our priority is supporting him through recovery while ensuring the squad remains focused.”

The new role effectively elevates Jenkins to one of the most influential positions in Welsh rugby. His remit includes not only technical coaching but also mentoring emerging coaches, integrating analytics into match preparation, and creating continuity between club and country.

Those close to the WRU suggest that Jenkins’s appointment is part of a strategic long-term plan — one that could eventually see him transition into an even higher leadership position within the organisation.

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Leigh Halfpenny shakes hands with Neil Jenkins(Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency)

Here are your rugby evening headlines for Thursday, October 16.

Neil Jenkins’ role confirmed by WRU

The Welsh Rugby Union have confirmed what role Neil Jenkins will play after he was left at home for the summer tour of Japan.

The former fly-half, who ended his career as Wales’ highest-ever points scorer in Test rugby, has been a constant in the national team’s coaching staff for a number of years. However, he was not involved this summer – with Leigh Halfpenny looking after the kicking coaching in Japan.

With the WRU confirming that former Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell will take on the skills coach role this autumn on an interim basis, clarity has been offered on Jenkins’ position.

The governing body announced on Thursday he will continue “full-time with the Welsh Rugby Union as a skills coach working individually with players as part of their personal development plans throughout the men’s game”.

In recent weeks, Jenkins has been spotted at both Cardiff and Dragons training sessions, working closely with both Patchell and Halfpenny.

Wales second-row facing lengthy spell out

Corniel van Zyl says Cardiff will be without Wales second-row Teddy Williams for “a significant period” as the club seek expert opinion on his dislocated foot.

It was previously thought that the lock had dislocated his ankle after setting up a driving lineout against Connacht last week, but the Arms Park club have now confirmed the injury is slightly more complicated than previously thought.

“We have no idea on his lay-off yet, he has seen two specialists, and they will probably get together and make a proper plan of action going forward,” said van Zyl.

“Whether that is going to be surgery or not. It’s a very uncommon injury that probably needs a bit of planning. It’s not like just a broken arm or broken bone.

“There is no timeline to it. It’s a significant injury. It won’t be like a few weeks, probably I would say months.”

Wales rugby has been dealt a staggering setback after one of its brightest stars was ruled out indefinitely with what medical staff have described as a “very uncommon injury.” The news has sent shockwaves through the national setup, coming at a time when the Welsh Rugby Union is in the midst of a major reshuffle that has also seen Neil Jenkins, one of the most iconic figures in Welsh rugby history, take on a significant new role within the organisation.

The unnamed player, widely regarded as one of the cornerstones of Wales’s current squad, suffered the injury during a high-intensity training session earlier this week. Sources inside the camp revealed that the incident appeared “innocuous” at first — a simple twist in contact — but what followed left team medics baffled. After several scans and consultations, specialists confirmed the nature of the injury as rare and complex, affecting both ligament structure and nerve function. The recovery period, initially estimated at a few weeks, could now stretch into several months, putting the player’s international future in jeopardy for the upcoming Six Nations and possibly beyond.

Head coach Steve Tandy, who recently took charge of the Welsh setup, admitted the loss was a crushing blow. “It’s devastating for him and for all of us,” he told reporters. “He’s the kind of player who embodies what Welsh rugby stands for — heart, toughness, pride. To lose someone like that to such an uncommon injury is a real test of character for the whole squad.” Behind the scenes, coaches have been scrambling to reshuffle training plans, with younger players being called up to fill the gap.

Fans have responded with a mixture of sympathy and anxiety. On social media, tributes have poured in for the injured player, with thousands of supporters sending messages of encouragement and sharing clips of his standout performances in red. “He’s a warrior — we know he’ll come back stronger,” one fan posted. Others expressed frustration that another key Welsh player has been struck down at a critical time, reigniting debate about player workload, recovery management, and the physical toll of modern rugby.

Medical experts have described the injury as “uncommon but not career-ending,” though recovery will depend on how well the nerve structures respond to treatment. The process will likely involve surgery, months of rehabilitation, and a gradual return to training under close supervision. “This kind of injury isn’t something you can rush,” said a sports physiologist familiar with the case. “You’re not just dealing with muscle repair — you’re retraining the entire neuromuscular response. It’s rare, but if managed carefully, a full recovery is possible.”

Within the Welsh camp, there’s a renewed sense of unity. Coaches and players have reportedly rallied around their sidelined teammate, dedicating training sessions to him and maintaining contact during his hospital stay. Tandy emphasised that the adversity could galvanise the group. “Sometimes the hardest moments forge the strongest teams,” he said. “This is a setback, yes — but it’s also an opportunity for others to step up and show what they can do.”

Neil Jenkins is expected to play a vital role in that response. His experience as a player and mentor makes him uniquely suited to steadying a squad under stress. He has already begun implementing new skills-based drills designed to sharpen Wales’s decision-making under pressure, while also coordinating with regional coaches to identify emerging talent capable of stepping up to international level. Those who have worked with him describe him as “relentlessly detailed,” “demanding but fair,” and “always focused on improvement.”

Beyond the immediate crisis, the dual headlines — one of injury and one of promotion — may mark a turning point in Welsh rugby’s trajectory. The combination of heartbreak and renewal encapsulates a sport that has long thrived on emotional intensity and resilience. For decades, Welsh rugby’s identity has been rooted in defiance — the ability to rise from disappointment, to turn pain into performance. That spirit, Jenkins has said, remains as strong as ever. “This team has been through a lot,” he told reporters. “But Welsh rugby has always been about fighting back. That’s what we’ll do again.”

As the team regroups ahead of the winter internationals, all eyes will be on how they adapt without one of their most influential figures. The road ahead will be difficult — new combinations to test, younger players to blood, leadership gaps to fill — but with Neil Jenkins guiding the next phase, there is cautious optimism that the foundations for future success are being laid even in adversity. For now, the hope across Wales is that their fallen star makes a full recovery and that his absence, however painful, becomes the spark for a new era of resilience and renewal in Welsh rugby.

Jac Morgan nearing return

Ospreys captain Jac Morgan and new signing Ryan Smith are close to returning from injury, Mark Jones has confirmed.

The Wales skipper hasn’t played since the Lions’ third Test against the Wallabies in Sydney, while new recruit Smith has yet to feature for the Ospreys since signing from the Queensland Reds.

However, head coach Jones confirmed both, as well as centre Evardi Boshoff, are close to making their return to action.

“He and a few of the others were back out there today,” said Jones of back-row Morgan. “Our non-23 were looking pretty powerful today ahead of the game.

“He was running about, as was Ryan Smith and Evardi Boshoff. Those boys have been good this week and they’ve added to the energy of the group.

“They’re looking in good shape, which is brilliant for the squad.

“He (Morgan) is targeting a quick return. Obviously when our selection goes out, we’ll have more of an indication of what that looks like.

“We’re hoping our fans will be seeing Jac pretty soon. He just loves being around the players. The whole group is tight.”

Jones added that the club were hopeful of seeing all three before the end of the first block of URC fixtures – with two more rounds of action before the autumn Tests.

“We’re hoping,” he added. “Everything’s crossed here and they’re tracking pretty well.

“We’ll see them in the not-too-distant future which is great. They’ll add to our on-field performances.”

Springbok prop to leave English giants

South Africa prop Thomas du Toit will leave Bath at the end of the season to re-join his former club Sharks.

The 30-year-old joined the Premiership leaders from the South African side in 2023, being a pivotal member of Johann van Graan’s treble-winning side last season.

He has scored 21 tries in 52 appearances for the West Country outfit, and last year was nominated for Premiership player of the season.

However, his return to South Africa could help improve the playing time of Wales loosehead Archie Griffin, who sits behind du Toit and Lions prop Will Stuart at the Rec.

Du Toit has played for his national team 30 times, winning his first Test cap against Wales in 2018 – going on to win a World Cup and Rugby Championship.