CONFIRMED: Adam Jones departs Harlequins for international role
Today at 01:16 PM
Warren Gatland is bolstering his coaching setup for the 2025 Six Nations by bringing in former Wales prop Adam Jones as a scrum consultant.
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
Jones gets the call-up
The 43-year-old, who is currently Harlequins' scrum and transition coach, has been granted a short-term secondment by the Premiership club. He'll join Wales after Harlequins' match against Northampton on Friday, 24 January, and will return to his club duties once the Six Nations concludes on Saturday, 15 March, following Wales' showdown with England in Cardiff.
A return to familiar faces
Jones, affectionately nicknamed "Bomb," will work alongside Wales forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys, his former Ospreys mentor, and the man he credits as a major influence on his career.
“First of all, I would like to thank Harlequins for the opportunity to join the Wales coaching setup for the Six Nations,” said Jones. “I’m looking forward to working with Gats [Warren Gatland] and Humphs [Jonathan Humphreys], who are two big influences on my career as a player.”
A new challenge
Despite his extensive playing experience, this marks Jones' first foray into international coaching, and he's eager to embrace the opportunity. “It’s all moved quickly, but I’m looking forward to it,” he continued. “It’s going to be a challenge coming from the Gallagher Premiership, and this is my first taste of coaching international rugby, so there will be a learning process for me as well.”
Mind games: McCann joins the fold
Wales have also brought in psychology and human performance specialist Andy McCann to strengthen the backroom staff.
The Six Nations stage beckons
Jones will dive into his new role just in time for Wales' opening clash against France in Paris on Friday, 31 January, before a packed schedule culminates with their final fixture against England in Cardiff. It's a trial by fire for the former front-rower, but one he's clearly relishing.
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Six Nations stadium rankings: Every ground ranked from worst to best
The Six Nations is as much about iconic stadiums as it is about world-class rugby. These venues are steeped in history, buzzing with atmosphere, and uniquely tied to their host nations. But which one truly reigns supreme?
We turned to TripAdvisor for the cold, hard verdict, pairing unbiased ratings with a bit of stadium backstory to give you the ultimate ranking. Here's everything you need to know about the Six Nations' homes – plus, cast your vote for your favourite at the end!
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6. Stadio Olimpico (Italy) – 4.09
Capacity: 70,634
Location: Rome, Italy
Opened: 1953
The bio: Italy's national stadium wasn't originally designed for rugby – its primary purpose was athletics and football. But since Italy joined the Six Nations in 2000, the Stadio Olimpico has been its home, offering fans the chance to watch rugby under the shadow of Rome's stunning architecture. Despite its historic charm, the stadium's track and distance from the pitch have drawn criticism for hindering the atmosphere.
GOOD REVIEW: "Came here for the rugby, my first international game and I was not disappointed. Lovely stadium, lots of entertainment outside and inside the stadium, not ripped off for food and drinks, everyone was friendly, and the atmosphere was electrifying."
BAD REVIEW: "It’s unbelievable that this is the main stadium in Rome. It’s old, dirty, and uncomfortable, and even 3rd division clubs in the UK have better facilities."
5. Stade de France (France) – 4.24
Capacity: 81,338
Location: Saint-Denis, Paris, France
Opened: 1998
The bio: Built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, the Stade de France is the largest stadium in the Six Nations and hosts both football and rugby. Known for its impressive size and acoustics, it's an intimidating fortress when Les Bleus are on form. However, some fans feel the sheer size of the stadium and hostile atmosphere for visiting supporters detract from its charm.
GOOD REVIEW: "I'm an American, and some of the reviews for this stadium, in my opinion, do not do it justice. It is as good as some of the best US sports stadiums. I thought it was great."
BAD REVIEW: "This venue is not suitable for visiting fans. The atmosphere is hostile to say the least and therefore particularly unsuitable for families."
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