These are your evening rugby headlines on Friday, December 20.

WRU consider changes to Gatland's staff immediately

The Welsh Rugby Union say that changes to Warren Gatland's coaching staff will be considered "immediately" after it was confirmed that the New Zealander will be staying on as head coach.

Friday's announcement - in which it was also confirmed that executive director of rugby Nigel Walker is standing down from his role - laid out the "challenge" that Gatland has now been set heading into the Six Nations, with the coach tasked with turning around Wales' disastrous run of form during the tournament.

READ MORE: Warren Gatland's boss gives him blunt warning amid 'difficult' review and 'honest' player feedback

READ MORE: Warren Gatland stays as Nigel Walker gone in major WRU announcement: Live updates

After a record losing streak of 12 Test match defeats, the Union statement claimed that wholesale changes were "seriously considered" before it was decided that sticking with Gatland was the best approach moving forwards.

However, the statement added that changes to the current set-up assisting the coach will be considered with immediate effect, with new personnel set to be recruited. The WRU have also not ruled out departures from the current team.

One of the key recommendations of the report conducted by CEO Abi Tiernery, the WRU said, is: "Adaptations to the current set-up assisting Gatland will also be considered immediately with the ambition of improving mindset, mentality and culture within the squad by introducing additional personnel."

Tierney told WalesOnline: "There could be [changes to coaching staff]. We're just working through what those options are, based on what the data tells us and who is available. That's one of the things we're looking at.

"We're looking at the coaching set-up, based on the analysis we've done and some of the particular areas, whether there are any changes we can make. We're not yet at the point to say whether that means change. We're working through that."

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Welsh captain praised after comeback

Scarlets boss Dwayne Peel has praised captain Josh Macleod after he battled back from his latest injury setback.

The two-cap Wales international suffered a serious knee injury back in January and spent months on the sidelines, ultimately returning to fitness in September. Since getting back onto the field, he has started all but one of the Scarlets' last eight games and has led from the front with some fine performances.

He has scored five tries in his last four outings and was named player of the match in his side's Challenge Cup victory over Black Lion at the weekend after scoring a brace of tries. Peel

“I am obviously delighted for him because I know he has invested a lot,” said Peel. “It’s tough when a player is so committed to playing rugby and then he gets an injury and a long lay-off.

“You see him working so hard to get back and then it happens again, he has another injury. So getting him a run of games and this form he has been in now has been great because I know how much it means to him to represent the Scarlets.

“From a leadership perspective, I’ve spoken a number of times about how important he is for us, both on and off the field. He’s really growing into that role. He demands high standards of people around him and he also demands high standards of himself. He works bloody hard.

“As a player, it’s his intensity around stuff that’s probably the biggest thing for me," the coach added. "He is an all-in player. That’s probably part of why he picks up a few bumps. He’s all-in with everything he does

“He’s tough around the breakdown, there’s his tackle work and things like hitting mauls and disrupting mauls, he’s all-in. He’s a great example for players in how he’s wholly committed. He’s probably a bit of an old school forward in many ways. He’s got that hard edge about him, which is great.

“I am delighted with the way he is going and delighted for him. It’s great for us as a group to have him on this form and hopefully long may it continue.”

Welsh coach departs

Welsh coach Richie Williams has left his role as Cambridge's director of rugby.

The Port Talbot-born coach, who previously coached the Hungarian national side and held roles in Belgium and with England Counties, leaves the RFU Championship side after six years.

Last year, he led the side to promotion to English rugby's second tier for the first time in their history, but they have struggled in the league, finishing bottom last season after winning just two of their 20 games.

Williams will be replaced in the role by former England international Anthony Allen, with forwards coach Neil Harris assisting him.

"I would like to thank Richie for his hard work, dedication and commitment to Cambridge Rugby during his time here, which has included some of the best moments of success within the club's history," said club chairman Tim Hague.

Welsh derby sides named

Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder have named their sides for this weekend's festive derby clash in the Celtic Challenge.

The competition - expanded for the new season - will get under way at the Centre of Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach on Saturday afternoon (KO: 2.30pm), with a host of Wales internationals in each line up, as well as some potential stars of the future.

Wales international Gwennan Hopkins will captain the Gwalia side with seven of her international teammates in the starting line-up, including Carys Williams-Morris, Bryonie King, Catherine Richards, Sian Jones, Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon and Alaw Pyrs. Full back Courtney Greenway and second row Lily Terry will also make their Celtic Challenge debuts.

The Thunder, meanwhile, will be led by Wales lock Natalia John, who joins Gwen Crabb in an all-Wales second row. Fellow Welsh international Niamh Terry is at fly-half with Meg Webb at centre, with hooker Chloe Grant, flanker Robyn Davies, flanker Jessica Rogers and full back Rhiannon Griffin all making their debuts.

“A Welsh derby is a great opening to the campaign, and we are excited to get started with team ready to perform at our new home at Ystrad Mynach," said Gwalia Lightning head coach Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin. “We have selected a side with proven Test experience and knowledge of the Celtic Challenge but know we have to gel as a team and are expecting Brython Thunder to provide a real challenge.”

Ashley Beck, head coach of Brython Thunder, added: “This is a new-look Brython Thunder team with half of the players in the squad new to the league and the demands of the Celtic Challenge. We are expecting this opening league game against Gwalia to be a major challenge.

“We are away from home and have four players making their debuts for Brython in the competition and we are looking forward to see how they perform in what promises to be an exciting Welsh derby.”

Gwalia Lightning: Courtney Greenway, Carys Williams-Morris, Kelsie Webster, Molly Anderson-Thomas, Catherine Richards, Carys Hughes, Sian Jones; Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Danyelle Dinapoli, Lily Terry, Alaw Pyrs, Bryonie King, Paige Jones, Gwennan Hopkins (capt)

Replacements: Molly Wakley, Dali Hopkins, Jenni Scoble, Erin Jones, Katherine Baverstock, Katie Bevans, Lowri Davies, Caitlin Lewis

Brython Thunder: Rhiannon Griffin, Ellie Tromans, Meg Webb, Savannah Picton-Powell, Eleanor Hing, Niamh Terry, Seren Singleton; Katie Carr, Chloe Grant, Cadi-Lois Davies, Gwen Crabb, Natalia John (captain), Robyn Davies, Lucy Issac, Jessica Rogers

Replacements: Evie Gill, Lowri Williams, Meg Lewis, Kira Philpott, Danai Mugabe, Anna Stowell, Bethan Adkins, Hannah Lane