![\"Rowntree](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1_GettyImages-2169662705-1.jpg\")
Rowntree (right) has been linked with the Wales job(Image: Patrick Khachfe\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nThe latest headlines from Wales and around the worldRowntree (right) has been linked with the Wales job(Image: Patrick Khachfe\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
These are your evening rugby headlines on Sunday, May 11.<\/p>\n
Former England coach linked with Wales job<\/p>\n
Former England and British & Irish Lions coach Graham Rowntree is the latest name to be linked with the vacant Wales head coach role, according to reports. The former prop left his role as head coach of Munster in October and it has been suggested that he could go back to his old club Leicester Tigers from next season, but a return to international rugby could also be on the cards.<\/p>\n
Rowntree is understood to have spoken to the Welsh Rugby Union about the job, with the 54-year-old keen to resume his coaching career after seven months out, according to Rugby Pass<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, former Ospreys<\/a> head coach Steve Tandy remains the favourite to succeed Warren Gatland<\/a> in the Wales hotseat. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.<\/a><\/p>\n Rowntree was forwards coach on the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours and held the same role with England between 2007 and 2015. He has worked in the same capacity with Harlequins, Georgia and Munster, before spending two years as head coach at the Irish province.<\/p>\n It comes after WalesOnline reported<\/a> that the WRU’s new director of rugby Dave Reddin has brought new names to the table in the hunt for a new head coach.<\/p>\n The likes of Tandy, Ireland coach Simon Easterby and Glasgow Warriors’ Franco Smith remain strong contenders for the job, while former England boss Stuart Lancaster is also an option – but it is understood Reddin is keen to stamp his own authority on proceedings by suggesting new candidates.<\/p>\n The RugbyPass report also adds that Alex King \u2013 who left Gatland\u2019s coaching staff ahead of this year’s Six Nations<\/a> \u2013 and Mike Forshaw look set to move on when their WRU contracts expire later this year.<\/p>\n Welsh exile makes feelings clear on future<\/p>\n Former Scarlets<\/a> powerhouse Carwyn Tuipulotu has made his feelings clear on where he wants to play his rugby next season after moving to France earlier this year.<\/p>\n The 23-year-old joined Top 14 side Pau as a medical joker in February, as he looked for more game-time having seen his opportunities limited at Parc y Scarlets.<\/p>\n Tuipulotu has taken his opportunity with both hands, with the powerful No.8 making a big impression in the south of France and quickly becoming a fan favourite after just seven appearances.<\/p>\n While he is out of contract this summer, the former Wales U20s star has now made it clear he wants to stay at the club, as a supporter shared a video of him interacting with young fans on the pitch and asked if he would still be part of the side next season.<\/p>\n “I hope so,” Tuipulotu replied. “I\u2019m just loving my rugby & enjoying every day as it comes. Allez Section!”<\/p>\n It comes after the back rower admitted he was eyeing international honours with Wales, with making the squad for this summer’s tour of Japan one of his goals.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously I have aspirations for Wales,\u201d Tuipulotu said in an interview with The Times<\/a>. \u201cThat\u2019s every boy\u2019s dream who comes from Wales.<\/p>\n “I\u2019d love to have that as a goal to hopefully go on that summer tour. I\u2019m just quietly doing my business here in France. Hopefully someone notices and wants to see me.”<\/p>\n Lancaster to follow in Welsh mentor’s footsteps<\/p>\n Former England coach Stuart Lancaster says the death of former Wales boss Kevin Bowring last year had a “profound effect” on him, as he laid out plans to follow in his footsteps.<\/p>\n Bowring, who became the first professional coach of Wales’ national team in 1995, died in October aged 70 after suffering a heart attack.<\/p>\n After leaving the Wales job in 1998, he spent a decade with the RFU as its head of elite coach development and was involved with the appointment, management and development of over 20 England National Academy coaches, several of which have gone on to coach the England team or in the Premiership.<\/p>\n Lancaster was one of those to benefit greatly from Bowring’s mentoring and the two became close friends, with the former Racing 92 boss revealing on his Leaders on Leaders podcast<\/a> that he had given the eulogy at the late coach’s funeral having been rocked by his death.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the things that happened during this season, my mentor Kevin Bowring, passed away tragically in October,” he said. “He had a heart attack. I was privileged to be asked to do his eulogy. The emotion of that week in my life and Kevin not being there had a profound effect on me.”<\/p>\n