'Crazy' Wales star earns Sam Warburton comparison as Welsh international departs
The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
These are your latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, May 26.
'Crazy' Wales star leaves team-mate stunned
New Wales call-up Kane James has heaped praise on Exeter Chiefs captain Dafydd Jenkins, admitting the Welsh lock "never stops".
Former England U20s star James has been named in Steve Tandy's squad for Wales' summer fixtures against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa and is set to make his international debut alongside his club team-mate in July.
Having played alongside the powerful second row at Sandy Park over the last year, the 21-year-old has revealed he has already learnt a lot from Jenkins, who captained Wales for the entirety of the 2024 Six Nations when he was the same age.
Appearing on the Scrum V podcast, James admitted that the Chiefs skipper's influence on him has been "massive", as he praised his work ethic and the way he "puts his head down and graft" week in, week out.
"He is first in, last out," he said of Jenkins. "Even this week, we've been off and he has been in every day in the gym.
"His body is pretty broken and he still gives it everything, he never stops. It's crazy watching him.
"I've never seen him play poorly for Wales. He doesn't do any sparkly stuff but he just puts his head down and grafts for 80 minutes."
James went on to compare his club captain to one of Wales' all-time greatest skippers, as he added: "I used to love Sam Warburton growing up. He was everyone's hero in Wales.
"Similar to Daf, he didn't stop working and was an ultimate professional."
Welsh international among exits
Pontypridd RFC have confirmed that 19 players will leave Sardis Road ahead of next season, with former Cardiff Rugby and Wales U20s centre Garyn Smith among those departing.
Smith signed for his hometown club ahead of the 2023/24 campaign after leaving Cornish Pirates, having already made 44 appearances for Ponty during his six-year stint with Cardiff. The 30-year-old is now leaving the club with a century of appearances under his belt.
Also departing is prop and club stalwart Ben Stephens, who returns to former club Beddau after seven years and 112 appearances for Pontypridd, while former Ospreys academy back Stuart Floyd-Ellis departs having made 45 appearances over two seasons.
Full-back Oli Shepherd, utility back Iwan Griffith and back row forward Ethan Evans have also left the club, as have Jude Williams and Dylan Kelly.
Callum Coxley, Finian Murray, Joey Williams, Lucca Alexander-White, Aled Evans, Joe Buckle, Charlie Hancock, Jack Davies, Elis Evans, Luc Chadwick-Morrish and Tom Fry complete the list of departures.
In an update issued on Monday evening, the club said: "We would like to thank all the departing players for their dedication during their time with the Club and would like to wish them all the very best for their future endeavours.
"Pontypridd RFC remain in talks with other individuals not mentioned in this update and have also secured a number of exciting new signings, with further announcements to follow in the very near future."
Springbok returns in 'huge' deal
South Africa wing Cheslin Kolbe has re-signed for his first club, the Stormers, ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The two-time Rugby World Cup winner left the Cape Town-based club in 2017 to join Toulouse, before switching to their Top 14 rivals Toulon four years later. In 2023, he moved to Japan to join Tokyo Sungoliath, but is now returning to where it all began.
The length of Kolbe's contract has not been revealed, but the Stormers have said he is part of their 'Project 2029'.
"Cape Town and this team have played such a big role in my life and career," said the 32-year-old Springbok. "When I left, it was always with the hope that one day I would come back home and represent this team again.
"To have that opportunity now means a huge amount to my family and I."
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson added: "Cheslin is a son of this community and has remained a staunch Stormers fan his whole life.
"He gives such hope and inspiration to our fans, so to have him back in our club colours is huge. As a player, he can do things on the field that nobody else can."