Adam Jones offered Wales Six Nations job as Sam Warburton's mentor to also return
The Welsh Rugby Union have approached Harlequins scrum coach Adam Jones about joining Warren Gatland's backroom team for the Six Nations.
Jones is widely regarded as one of the best scrum coaches in the game but is currently contracted to the English side. The WRU now need to come to an agreement with the Premiership outfit if the 43-year-old is to join the Wales coaching team.
After a disappointing 2024 which did not yield a single victory, the WRU have given Gatland the Six Nations to save his job. As part of the review into Wales' performances last year the Union confirmed there would be additions to Gatland's coaching team for this year's tournament. Northampton Saints scrum coach Matt Ferguson has also been linked with the role but WalesOnline understands Jones is the WRU's preferred option.
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A deal has not yet been completed but the WRU are desperate to get Jones into the Wales coaching team, preferably for the Six Nations, which begins next Friday. Jones won 95 caps for Wales, while he was also first-choice prop on two British & Irish Lions tours.
Jones, who has a close relationship with Wales forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys, was the finest scrummaging tighthead in world rugby at his best and he has built a strong reputation as a top-end scrum coach. During his time at Harlequins Jones has significantly improved the scrummaging of a number of players, including former England prop Kyle Sinckler.
The WRU hope he can now do the same for Wales' scrum. WalesOnline understands the WRU are also set to appoint sports psychologist Andy McCan, who has worked with Wales in the past.
McCan is renowned in his field and worked extremely closely with former Wales captain Sam Warburton during his playing days, helping him come to terms with the responsibility of becoming national skipper ahead of the 2011 World Cup. It's hoped McCan can act as a similar mentor figure to some of Wales' young stars and help them build their mental skills and resilience over the coming weeks.
Wales kick off their Six Nations with a daunting trip to face France in Paris on January 31 where they hope to have strengthened Gatland's backroom team.
