The fallout:Former Australia coach Eddie Jones, who is acting as South Africa's technical adviser at the World Cup, yesterday ruled himself out of the race to succeed Gareth Jenkins as coach of Wales.
Jenkins was sacked after Wales lost to Fiji last Saturday and failed to make the quarter-finals for the third time in the last five World Cup tournaments. The Welsh Rugby Union has pledged to trawl the world to find his successor, but Jones said he was not interested.
Wales lock Ian Evans believes the Magners Celtic League is hampering Welsh rugby and he has demanded a wholesale change in attitude towards the competition.
Wales and Ireland have both crashed out of the World Cup before the quarter-finals and Evans is convinced the lack of intensity in the Celtic competition is a major factor. The Wales players have been invited to contribute to a wide-ranging review into their failure and Evans is unlikely to pull any punches. "If you look at the Southern Hemisphere countries, the way they structure their game means they are playing big and tough matches week in and week out," said the Ospreys secondrow.
"We need consistent high-performance games. It is no use us just going back to the Celtic League and playing against mediocre teams. If people don't put their best sides out every week, we are not going to get better as a nation. We have to keep our intensity levels up."
The Irish provinces often field weakened teams in the Celtic League, particularly if national coach Eddie O'Sullivan requests specific players be rested.
Evans' thoughts echoed those of senior player Martyn Williams, who said after Wales' recent defeat to Australia that Northern Hemisphere nations are way behind in terms of intensity.
Evans felt bitterly disappointed for the likes of Williams, who announced his retirement yesterday, plus Gareth Thomas and Colin Charvis who could also have played their last Wales Test.
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