Wales have been forced into making a change to their backroom team after scrum coach Duncan Jones suffered a freak leg injury during training last week.<\/p>\n
Jones sustained damage to both knees after a collision with one of the Welsh players and subsequently missed the team\u2019s first match of the Championship, against England.<\/p>\n
It has been confirmed that former Ospreys prop Paul James has joined the Wales<\/a> coaching team as scrum coach, replacing Jones, who has undergone surgery on the injury.<\/p>\n Scrum coach change<\/p>\n 66-cap Grand Slam and Six Nations<\/a> Championship winner James has been coaching at the Ospreys since late 2018 and was scrum and set-piece coach for Wales U20 in 2021.<\/p>\n Wales head coach Steve Tandy was happy to welcome James into the camp at short notice as they prepare to face France at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff this Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s great to add Paul to the coaching team and my thanks to the Ospreys for enabling this opportunity at short notice,\u201d Tandy said before touching on the Jones accident.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all extremely disappointed for Duncan with his injury.<\/p>\n Loose Pass: Gregor Townsend dealt \u2018mortal blow\u2019 while Six Nations exposes Super Rugby\u2019s \u2018total tripe\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n The death by a thousand cuts: How indiscipline is costing Wales their identity<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been a huge part of the environment and I want to thank him for all that he\u2019s put into the campaign so far.<\/p>\n \u201cHe will be really missed around the group and we wish him all the best with his recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n The incoming James added: \u201cI\u2019m excited for the opportunity to come in and coach with Wales. I\u2019m looking forward to doing all I can to help the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n Absolutely gutted<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Jones admitted he was disappointed that his time with Wales has come to an end for the time being but he would be fully behind the side while he recovers.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m absolutely gutted that a freak injury means I\u2019m unable to continue in camp with Wales this Six Nations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to coach international rugby and being able to work with this great group of players and staff.<\/p>\n \u201cI will be giving Steve and the squad all my support from the sidelines for the remainder of the Championship.\u201d<\/p>\n Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n