The latest rugby stores making headlines on Tuesday, March 24.
16:16, 24 Mar 2026Updated 16:16, 24 Mar 2026
Jonathan Davies after being made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by the Prince of Wales during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle(Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
These are your evening headlines on Tuesday, March 24.
Jiffy honoured
Wales rugby legend Jonathan Davies has been honoured at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon.
Jiffy was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to people with cancer and broadcasting. The former fly-half has served as president of Velindre cancer charity since 2009. He started supporting the charity as a patron two years earlier, having tragically lost both his father and first wife Karen to cancer.
He has since helped to raise more than £50million for the charity through a number of sporting ventures, including epic bike rides both here and abroad.
JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE Latest news, analysis and much more
Jiffy’s Cancer 50 Challenge was held for the fifth time last year, with the TV pundit joined by hundreds of riders to cycle 50 miles from Cardiff to Swansea and raise over £40,000 for charity.
“I’m honoured and privileged to receive the award on behalf of everyone at Velindre,” Jiffy told WalesOnline when the honour was confirmed. “Thank you for the accolade, but it’s on behalf of all the team, all the people and all the fundraisers.
“I’m just a figurehead, and I’m so deeply proud to stand alongside everyone that helps to give hope that we will one day soon find a cure or find out what causes cancer.”
The Prince of Wales, who is a patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, spoke to him about the team’s Six Nations win against Italy on March 14.
Speaking about the current state of Welsh rugby, Jiffy said: “It has been tough for Wales on and off the field, with uncertainty around regions and finances.
“Hopefully things can be resolved and the win will give them momentum and give all the future Welsh players the best opportunity to perform at international level.
“It has been rough, but it was so pleasing to see them win.”
Get the latest Wales Rugby merch at Kitbag
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
from £,24.60
Kitbag
The Six Nations is running from February 5 to March 14 and Wales Rugby fans can get the latest jerseys, hoodies and more at Kitbag.
Beck named attack coach
Wales international Ashley Beck has joined Sean Lynn’s Wales backroom team ahead of the upcoming Six Nations.
Beck, who has been Brython Thunder head coach for the past three seasons, replaces Shaun Connor on an interim basis. Connor leaves after three years in the role. Beck held the position of attack coach with Worcester Warriors women’s team before the team went to the wall.
“Playing for Wales is the highest honour you can get when you are a player and it’s the same when you are a coach,” said Beck.
“To be asked by Sean to join the set-up for the Women’s 2026 Six Nations is a real privilege and I am excited by the challenge of coaching at Test match level.
“Having worked with a host of the players in the Celtic Challenge, I know the talent we have in Wales and the challenge for the players is to believe they can compete at this level.”
Lynn says he is “excited” to bring former Ospreys man Beck into the fold.
“Ash has a real pedigree in the women’s game and players find him relatable and I know Alex Callender has a high opinion of him and how he coaches,” Lynn said.
“We have talked and discussed rugby regularly while he has been in charge of a young Brython Thunder team in the Celtic Challenge and I have been impressed at the way he thinks about the game.
“Ash is full of a new ideas of how to attack teams and I am excited to see what he can bring to the coaching team and the squad.”
Welsh Rugby Union director of rugby and elite performance, Dave Reddin, said: “Ashley Beck is an exciting young coach and has invaluable experience in the women’s game and we are delighted he has taken this role.
“The work he has done with a young Brython Thunder team, full of young Welsh players, demonstrates how the Welsh Rugby Union’s investment in the women’s game is beginning to pay dividends.”
Quins make appointments
Harlequins have announced a trio of major appointments, with Jason Gilmore confirmed as their permanent head coach.
Robbie Deans joins as performance director from the start of next season, while former Exeter Chiefs coach Rob Hunter will be taking up the role of forwards coach for the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
It is part of a major restructuring at The Stoop, which began yesterday with news former Ospreys coach Toby Booth would be leaving at the end of his year-long sabbatical at the club.
Quins are in dire straights in the Prem standings right now, sitting second from bottom ahead of their clash with Bristol Bears in Cardiff on Saturday.
“There’s a significant amount of work to be done, but that’s what makes this such an exciting opportunity,” Gilmore told the Harlequins website.
“We’re committed to building the right environment, the right standards, and the right squad to take this club forward.
“Having Robbie come on board is such a positive addition. The guidance and support he will provide me personally, as well as our coaching and playing group, will be invaluable.
“To our supporters, we genuinely appreciate the backing we’ve received through a tough year. We’ll need that continued support, because returning Harlequins to where it belongs will take a collective effort – but it’s one we’re fully committed to.”
Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.