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Wales miss out on All Black as five Welsh stars interviewed by WRU for top jobs

The latest rugby transfer news and rumours from around the rugby world

Here are the latest rugby transfer rumours and stories from Wales and beyond...

1. The search for the rest of Wales' coaching group remains ongoing. It was believed that the successful candidate would find out late last week - however that date has passed with no indication a new scrum coach has been chosen. Adam Jones, Duncan Jones and Paul James have all interviewed for the job - although there has been a suggestion another candidate is yet to be interviewed by the Welsh Rugby Union.
2. The other two jobs - kicking and attacking skills - are a little further behind. It's believed the WRU have narrowed down their list of candidates, but as of this week, they've not interviewed candidates. One applicant they have missed out on is former New Zealand fly-half Nick Evans. WalesOnline understand the 45-year-old, who was part of England's coaching set-up briefly in 2023, had applied for one of the coaching jobs with the WRU after leaving Harlequins this summer, but he would appear to have another role lined up elsewhere.
3. Another New Zealand coach who had recently been working in Test rugby also held brief conversations with Steve Tandy about the role, but ultimately did not apply. The likes of Jonny Goodridge, Scott Sneddon, James Hook and Leigh Halfpenny are believed to have gone for either of those two roles. It's unclear, with Wales' Nations Championship campaign beginning in three weeks, whether they are expecting to have these coaches in place for the summer.
4. Wales second-row Rory Thornton has signed a new deal with Cardiff. The 31-year-old, who went past 100 games for the club this season, was out of contract this summer - but will remain at the Arms Park.
5. Former GB 7s player Olise Monye - cousin of ex-England international Ugo - has signed for London Welsh ahead of next season. The 23-year-old, who recently played for Chinnor, made three appearances for Wasps before playing on Rugby Europe 7s circuit.
6. Welshman Gareth Baber has had a clearout at Nissa after winning promotion to France's second tier. The Cote d'Azur outfit have released 10 players from their squad - with former Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu the headline name. The centre joined the club at the start of the season, having left the Ospreys without ever playing a match for the Welsh club. The club have signed Samuel Bielle-Biarrey, the younger brother of France and Bordeaux-Begles superstar Louis, ahead of their move up to Pro D2.
7. Former Australia wing Marika Koroibete has signed with Indian sevens side Chennai Bulls on a short-term deal. The dual-code international - who won seven caps for Fiji in rugby league before playing 63 times for the Wallabies after switching codes - won the last of his Australia caps in 2024, having been playing in Japan in recent seasons. The signing of an international - who featured for the AUNZ XV against the Lions last year - is a major coup for Indian rugby.
8. Former Wales defensive guru Shaun Edwards is not the only reported departure from France's coaching team. Kicking coach Vlok Cilliers is also apparently set to leave Fabien Galthie's ticket. Earlier this week, Zimbabwe announced him as a kicking consultant. However, Cilliers has since frequently denied he is involved at all on social media.