WRU consider return for Gatland man as Wales star’s future hinges on rule change | Wales OnlineNeed to knowThe latest Welsh rugby transfer news and rumours heading into the festive period
Rhys Long, right, with Warren Gatland (Image: Getty Images)The latest Welsh rugby news from behind the scenesGatland man in frame for WRU job: The FA’s head of performance analysis & insight, Rhys Long, could be a contender for the Welsh Rugby Union’s new technical director job. Insiders within the game say he is highly regarded by the WRU’s director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin. The £160k a year job will see the successful candidate work alongside Reddin. Long was a key member of Warren Gatland’s backroom team in the early part of the Kiwi’s reign where he was head of performance analysis while he was also a former colleague of Reddin at the FA. Sources close to the WRU say Long is potentially being looked at, although there are a number of candidates in the frame.Welsh star could move: Wales prop Gareth Thomas is attracting interest from England. Both Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers have expressed an interest but Thomas is contracted to the Ospreys up until 2028, although there could be a break clause in his contract.Wales outside-half wanted amid cap rule doubt: One player who Leicester are keen on signing is Ospreys outside-half Dan Edwards who is set to be offered a three-year contract worth in the region of £250k a year. Edwards falls well below the 25 cap threshold but there are rumours it will be scrapped as part of Welsh rugby’s new structure for the professional game.Scrum-half assesses options: Ospreys scrum-half Kieran Hardy has held talks with Gloucester but the Cherry & Whites have signed former England number nine Dan Robson while Caolan Englefield is also highly-rated at Kingsholm. But Hardy is still of interest to Gloucester while a move to Cardiff is also not out of the question and the Ospreys have not given up hope of retaining the 30-year-old.Faletau set to leave: Wales star Taulupe Faletau is likely to leave Cardiff when his contract runs out at the end of the season with clubs in Japan showing an interest. Faletau is one of Wales’ greatest players having won 109 caps and a further five for the British & Irish Lions but at 35 could look for one last pay day in the Far East.Adams set to stay: Josh Adams is set to stay at Cardiff after initially agreeing to join the rebel league R360. Many Welsh players signed pre-contracts with R360 but pulled out after the launch got postponed for a year.Welsh interest in Tshiunza: Exeter Chiefs lock Christ Tshiunza is out of contract at Exeter Chiefs at the end of this season is attracting interest from Wales and other Gallagher Prem clubs. Tshiunza has had a tough time with injuries over the past few months but it would be a surprise if he was not part of Wales boss Steve Tandy’s plans moving forward.Scarlets man could go: Elsewhere, the Scarlets‘ Scotland international loosehead Alec Hepburn could leave the club at the end of the season with Edinburgh the favourites to land his signature.Follow Wales Online:
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