Wales legend Adam Jones has been handed a surprise role with Harlequins, taking charge of the club's next two Prem Cup matches. The Premiership outfit announced that the former tighthead will lead the side in their next two fixtures, as Quins named their team to face Newcastle Red Bulls on Saturday.
The Welshman will take on the duties as he continues to develop his coaching credentials at the Stoop, having been part of their setup since retiring in 2018. He was part of their coaching team as they won the Premiership in 2021. Jones spent time in Wales' coaching staff on secondment last year, although he ultimately missed out on a full-time role. He signed a new deal with the Premiership club a couple of months ago, extending his stay as the club's scrum and contact coach.
England dismiss Eddie Jones' distraction claims
England have hit back at Eddie Jones' claim they could be vulnerable to an upset by Japan on Saturday because they have one eye on their upcoming clash with New Zealand. Jones is aiming to disrupt Steve Borthwick's side by hitting them with the unexpected in the belief they will be "a little bit distracted" by the All Blacks' visit to Allianz Stadium on November 21.
New Zealand are the box office fixture of the campaign ahead of finals weekend, but England deny they are looking beyond Japan. "That's nowhere near the case because we understand how important this game is," scrum coach Tom Harrison said. "We understand the challenge Japan can throw at us and we have to be alive in every single moment to the type of rugby they play. We understand that there might be unorthodox things coming our way, but our need is to be alive."
Harrison added: "I've never worked with Eddie but I've met him a few times and he's a rugby genius, the way he thinks about the game and the way the players talk about him."
Murley earns first Twickenham start
Cadan Murley wins his eighth cap but his first at Twickenham after coming in for the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the left wing as one of 10 changes made for Japan. Murley, Max Ojomoh and Will Joseph are aiming to make an impression on Borthwick after the head coach signalled that places in next year's World Cup squad are up for grabs.
"I just want go out there and play my best rugby," Murley said. "I'll focus on what I can do, control the controllables, and hopefully that will get me in the mix further down the line. But my sole focus is on this game and putting my best foot forward. It's my first game at Twickenham and that's what's on my mind at the moment."
Wales target return to top eight
Dewi Lake says Wales must show they are able to compete with the world's top eight teams once again. Steve Tandy's side are currently 10th in the world rankings, ahead of Saturday's match against the All Blacks in Cardiff. They then take on Australia, with Lake saying these matches are important as they prepare for next year's World Cup.
"We're a team who want to push up the rankings table and get back into the top eight," Lake said. "You're looking at two teams that are sitting in there. So for us, it's an opportunity to see how we measure up. I think we have full belief in ourselves, so it's about going out and showing that as a group."
Wales haven't beaten New Zealand since 1953, having lost the last 34 matches, but Lake insisted that matters little this weekend. "We do understand the history and it's an incredible opportunity for us to be able to play such a historic team," he added. "But we're thinking about us and the opportunities that we have, the chances we have. We know what we can do if we get our performance right, so our sole focus is on this weekend."
