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The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
These are your evening rugby headlines on Thursday, April 30.
WRU announce new appointment
Former Wales international Nadine Griffiths has been appointed as the Welsh Rugby Union’s new director of women’s rugby.
Griffiths won 44 caps for Wales Women and represented her country at the 1998 Rugby World Cup, before moving into coaching and forming part of the backroom team for Wales’ tour of South Africa in 2013.
Having also previously held a role at the WRU as a rugby development officer, she has gone on to enjoy a successful career spanning professional sport, governing bodies and multi-agency partnerships.
Griffiths joins the WRU from Cardiff Rugby, where she has served as Community Foundation Director, and admits that the role with the union “feels more like a calling than a job”.
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As her appointment was announced, she said: “I am passionately Welsh. I have a great understanding of the opportunities and the barriers across the women’s and girl’s game and the challenges our clubs face.
“That insight matters, because growth won’t come from copying others, it will come from building something that reflects Wales, its communities and its identity.
“I feel like I have come full circle from the young girl in Pencoed who watched the 1991 Rugby World Cup and dared to dream of pulling on that red jersey, to now being responsible for inspiring the next generation to do exactly the same.
“This is a hugely exciting time,” Griffiths added. “Women’s sport is on a remarkable growth trajectory in Wales and globally. With the inaugural women’s British & Irish Lions tour in 2027, the whole world is about to sit up and take notice of the women’s game once again.
“We will have Welsh representation on that Lions tour. We will make trailblazers of the players already leading the way and we will create a new generation of female sporting heroes to inspire our children and grow the game across this great, rugby-loving nation.
“We will take the nation with us on this incredible journey of growth and inspiration for women’s sport, ymlaen.”
Welcoming Griffiths back to the WRU, chief executive Abi Tierney said: “Nadine shone through in a competitive field of candidates and is uniquely placed.
“She has played and coached at the elite end of the game, but has also dedicated her career to the women’s and girl’s pathway in Cardiff and to developing community rugby. We are thrilled to welcome her back into the WRU family.”
Ex-All Black’s controversial move to collapse
Former All Black Roger Randle’s controversial move to Munster is set to collapse, according to reports.
It was announced earlier this month that the 51-year-old had been appointed as the URC side’s new attack coach, as a replacement to Mike Prendergast. However, while he was set to reunite with his former Chiefs colleague Clayton McMillan, the Irish Independent reports that he is now longer in line to join the province following the backlash over his appointment.
The hiring of Randle had caused a stir in Limerick due to a historical accusation of rape from a 1997 tour in South Africa, while he was with the Hurricanes, resurfacing during his time at the Chiefs.
Randle has always maintained his innocence, with the case having been dropped at the time, but his new appointment reportedly led three independent members of Munster’s Professional Game Board to step down earlier this month, with former players Billy Holland, Mick O’Driscoll and Killian Keane all said to have objected to the decision.
According to the Irish Independent, a number of members of the club’s Commercial Advisory Group also stepped down from their voluntary positions due to the matter.
At the time, a statement from the URC outfit read: “Munster Rugby is aware of a historical matter concerning newly appointed coach Roger Randle, from 1997. At the time, no legal process was pursued, and the matter was closed.
“Munster Rugby carried out due diligence during this recruitment process and are satisfied with the appointment, which has been ratified and approved.”
However, while it is yet to be confirmed by Munster, the move is understood to have collapsed, with the club now having to look elsewhere for a new attack coach.
Jones joins Worcester
Former Cardiff and Scarlets prop Joe Jones has joined Champ Rugby side Worcester Warriors ahead of next season.
The 30-year-old, who has played in PREM Rugby, the URC and the French Pro D2 in a varied career, has joined the second-tier side after a brief spell with Harlequins.
He moved to The Stoop in February on a deal until the end of the season after being released from his contract with Doncaster Knights.
Jones is now on the move again, joining Matt Everard’s side alongside Nottingham hooker Jack Dickinson.
“I’m grateful and excited for the opportunity to sign for Worcester Warriors next season,” he said as his switch was confirmed. “I’m looking forward to being part of something special in the coming years.”
Commenting on Jones’ arrival, Everard added: “Joe brings a lot of experience. He is a superb set-piece forward, both in the scrum and the maul and has recently delivered that at the top level with Harlequins.”
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