Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, February 11.

Wales assistants to learn fate

Wales' assistant coaches will learn their fates in the coming days after Warren Gatland's departure as head coach.

Gatland's exit was announced on Tuesday, following the Six Nations defeats to France and Italy. Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt has taken over as interim head coach and will take over the side after this weekend's URC clash with Connacht.

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However, Gatland's existing coaching ticket, that includes Rob Howley, Jonathan Humphreys, Mike Forshaw, now face a wait to learn if they will be part of Sherratt's coaching set-up. In particular, Howley - given his own influence on the attack and his close ties with Gatland - could see his place on the ticket at risk.

"Matt has had less than 24 hours to process this ask and I’m so pleased he has but now I think we need to give him a little bit of time to process what the next steps are," said Welsh Rugby Union CEO Abi Tierney. "Let’s give some time for Matt to work that one through."

Ireland get triple boost for Wales game

By PA Sport Staff

Injured trio Tadhg Furlong, Mack Hansen and Joe McCarthy could be available for the Six Nations showdown with Wales in Cardiff on February 22.

Prop Furlong and second row McCarthy have missed the victories over England and Scotland through calf and head injuries respectively, while winger Hansen played against England, but sat out at Murrayfield with a hamstring problem.

An Irish Rugby Football Union statement said: “The Ireland squad returned to Dublin on Monday afternoon and the matchday 23 from Sunday’s bonus point win over Scotland will enjoy a short break before returning for a mini camp from Wednesday night in Dublin.

“Tadhg Furlong continues to make good progress, as do Mack Hansen and Joe McCarthy with the Ireland management optimistic about their availability for the Wales fixture on Saturday, 22 February at the Principality Stadium.

“A number of players have been released to their respective provinces for URC action this weekend.”

Ireland top the table with a maximum 10 points, four ahead of France and England.

Monye accuses Gatland of 'ruining' players

Former England international Ugo Monye has blasted departing Wales coach Warren Gatland, accusing him of "ruining" players during his second stint in charge.

It was confirmed today that the New Zealander had been relieved of his duties by the Welsh Rugby Union, with Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt taking over on an interim basis until the end of the Six Nations.

Having seen Wales fall to disastrous losses against France and Italy in the Championship so far - the latest in a torrid run of 14 Test match defeats - Monye said Gatland had lost the dressing room and claimed that the authority he once held was now "gone".

In particular, the former wing criticised the former Wales coach's decision to play Ben Thomas at fly-half, when he plays at inside centre for Cardiff under Sherratt. Thomas has struggled in the No.10 jersey so far this tournament and was replaced after less than 50 minutes against Italy in Rome on Saturday.

“You've got a young fly-half in Ben Thomas, who's only started [there] once for his club in the last two years," he told Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates on The Sports Agents podcast. "Warren Gatland sees him as a 10. I'm not quite sure.
"There is obviously not aligned thinking there. And then he whips him off after 48 minutes. It was your decision to play him at 10, to back him. You’ve not!”

Turning up the heat, he added: “You're losing matches and you're ruining players. You're ruining players, and I don't know how Ben Thomas feels.

"It gets to a certain point where the coach's voice loses all power and you stop listening. That authority, I think, is gone. I reckon the Welsh players have switched off. I've been in those positions, and you're listening to the coach and you're just rolling your eyes.”

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Scotland star relishing ‘hostile’ Twickenham atmosphere

By Anthony Brown, PA

Tom Jordan is relishing the prospect of his first away appearance for Scotland coming in what he expects to be a frenzied Calcutta Cup showdown at Twickenham.

The versatile Glasgow back has won six caps, having made his debut against Fiji in November, but all of them – four in the autumn and the first two games of this year’s Guinness Six Nations against Italy and Ireland – have been at Murrayfield.

New Zealand-born Jordan, who can operate at stand-off, full-back and centre, is expected to retain his starting place for the trip to bitter rivals England a week on Saturday after an encouraging start to his Test career.

“From all the (Calcutta Cup) games I’ve watched and even the last few years when a lot of my mates have played for Scotland down there and done really well there, you can tell how the English think of the Scottish,” said the 26-year-old.

“I’m sure the atmosphere will be amazing there and obviously they’re coming off a big win (over France). It’ll be exciting to get down there. I’m sure all the boys will be looking forward to it.”

Scotland suffered a chastening 32-18 defeat against the Irish on Sunday and Jordan believes having a fallow week will be of benefit to his side as they regroup ahead of their bid to make it five wins in a row over England, who will be buoyed by their dramatic 26-25 victory over Les Bleus.

“I think it’s good we’ve got the weekend off to sort of refresh and get the bodies right, so we should be flying into the game next week,” said Jordan. “I think it’s just about getting back on the horse, fixing up what we need to and we go again.

“Speaking probably as a fan at this moment, because I haven’t experienced it myself, it’s probably going to be pretty hostile.

“I’m sure England will be pretty keen to get one on us, so you could imagine how they’ll prepare for that game. I’m sure they’ll have a bit more sting in their tackles, for sure. It’ll be very physical as there’s obviously a lot to play for, for both teams.”