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Wales announce Adam Jones appointment as Warren Gatland gets two new faces

Adam Jones retired from Wales duty in 2015
-Credit:Western Mail


Wales scrummaging legend Adam Jones has been added to Warren Gatland's backroom team for the Six Nations.

WalesOnline broke the news of Jones' imminent appointment on Monday, with the WRU now officially confirming it.

The 43-year-old has built a reputation as one of the best scrum coaches around during his seven years at English Premiership outfit Harlequins. Jones has been credited with improving the scrummaging of a whole host of players, with former England tighthead Kyle Sinckler raving about the work done by the former Ospreys prop.

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As a player Jones was the best scrummaging tighthead in the world by a considerable distance for many years and won 95 caps for Wales, while he was also selected for two British & Irish Lions tours. Wales endured a disastrous 2024 which didn't yield a single victory in a Test match.

But after a thorough review into the squad's failings, Gatland narrowly avoided the sack and has been given the Six Nations in a bid to turn around Wales' fortunes. The Welsh Rugby Union promised it would add to Gatland's backroom team and Jones, along with sports psychologist Andy McCann, have been chosen.

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Jones will join Wales on secondment until the end of the Six Nations but he will also provide remote scrum analysis to Harlequins throughout this period. Jones will return to Harlequins at the conclusion of Wales' Six Nations campaign.

“First of all, I would like to thank Harlequins for the opportunity to join the Wales coaching setup for the Six Nations," said Jones. “I’m looking forward to working with Gats (Warren Gatland) and Humphs (Jonathan Humphreys), two big influences on my career as a player - it’s all moved quickly but I’m looking forward to it.

“It's going to be a challenge coming from the Gallagher Premiership and this is my first taste of coaching international rugby, so there will be learning process for me as well but it’s a great opportunity to make an impact and aid my development as a coach.”

Wales have struggled at scrum time in recent times and the hope is Jones' scrummaging expertise will help improve Gatland's side in this area.

Speaking about the appointments Gatland said: “I’m delighted that Adam and Andy will be joining us for the Guinness Six Nations and I’d like to thank Harlequins for allowing Adam to take up this opportunity.

“With less than two weeks to our first game against France in Paris, we will be working hard as a group to maximise our preparation and start our campaign on a high.”

McCann commented: “I’m particularly excited with the opportunity to work in support of this group of players through the 2025 Guinness Six Nations.”