Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, April 26.
Wales star banned
Wales lock Dafydd Jenkins will have to complete a World Rugby tackling course or potentially miss the opening summer World Cup warm-up match against England.
Jenkins has been banned for three matches after his sending off for a dangerous tackle against Bristol Bears was upheld by a disciplinary panel.
The Welshman denied the incident was worthy of a red card, although he accepted he had committed an act of foul play against Bristol's Max Lahiff. He will definitely miss this weekend's European Champions Cup semi-final against La Rochelle and the final Premiership game of the season against London Irish.
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The third match of his ban will either be the European Champions Cup final, if Exeter make it, or Wales v England on August 5. However, if he completes World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme, the ban will be reduced by one game.
Jenkins could be a key man in Warren Gatland's World Cup squad after emerging as a top level player this season and playing a prominent part in the Six Nations. He will need to impress during the summer, though, with Wales playing England on August 5 and 12 before facing South Africa on August 19.
English giants give Welsh teen pro contract
Versatile Wales U18 forward Kenzie Jenkins (Coleg y Cymoedd) has been given his first professional contract by English club Bristol Bears.
Jenkins, a powerful, hard-hitting back-five player with an aggressive and confrontational playing style is tipped for a big future in the game.
He makes the step up at Bristol as two other Welsh players leave the club. Wales U20s fly-half Jac Lloyd has been released little more than a week after older brother Ioan confirmed he would also be leaving Ashton Gate.
The elder Lloyd brother confirmed last week that he will join the Scarlets next season as he looks to get his Test career back on track after a few years away from the Wales team.
While his departure from the Gallagher Premiership side was already confirmed, Jac Lloyd's somewhat unexpected presence among the club's academy leavers was confirmed when Pat Lam announced his squad for next season. The 20-year-old made three senior appearances for the club after signing a first professional deal in 2021.
The Cardiff-born outside-half made four appearances for Wales U20s in the 2022 Six Nations. His next club is unknown, but it's feasible his hometown side could be interested.
Scotland and Lions star retires
Former Scotland captain and scrum-half Greig Laidlaw has announced his retirement from rugby.
The 37-year-old began his career with Edinburgh before moving on to Gloucester and Clermont Auvergne. He currently plays for Japanese club Urayasu D-Rocks.
Laidlaw earned 76 caps, including 39 Test appearances as captain, and toured New Zealand with the 2017 British and Irish Lions.
He retired from international rugby after the 2019 World Cup in Japan and now plans to start a coaching career.
"We intend as a family to stay in Japan a while longer, but it is here I will finally hang up my playing boots," Laidlaw wrote on Instagram.
"It is time to take everything I have learnt from a playing career I could only have dreamt of and move on into coaching.
"Throughout my playing career I have pushed myself, I have taken on new experiences, continuously learnt and immersed myself in different cultures.
"I have always enjoyed figuring out how to work as a team and how to get the best out of my team-mates, things I will take with me and continue to develop.
"I believe I have developed a really strong skillset in performing under pressure and leadership - the two areas that I have learnt most about and that have always fascinated me."
England must find 'right person' regardless of gender
Simon Middleton says "the right person will be the best person" to succeed him as England head coach, whether they are male or female.
Middleton steps down after the Women's Six Nations Grand Slam showdown against France at Twickenham on Saturday.
During his time in charge, England have reached two World Cup finals, won five Six Nations titles and four Grand Slams.
The Red Roses also embarked on a 30-game unbeaten run that ended with defeat to New Zealand in the World Cup final last year.
Sarina Wiegman led England's Lionesses to success at Women's Euro 2022, and there are many in English rugby who would like to see a female appointment, post-Middleton.
"We have got some very good coaches/directors of rugby-style females in the game," Middleton said.
"Giselle Mather (Ealing Trailfinders director of rugby) is one, Jo Yapp (Worcester women's head coach) being one, Susie Appleby (Exeter Chiefs head coach) being another.
"A lot of it is relevant to the team you build around you and how you manage that team of staff. The right person will be the best person."
Marlie Packer, who will captain England in front of a record crowd for a women's match of more than 53,000 on Saturday, added: "For me, I think it is the right person for the job.
"Whether it is a male or female, I don't mind. I think that is what most of the squad think as well.
"We just want to be pushed as players to be the best players we can. We want someone who is going to give us a new drive, and it doesn't matter who it is."
Read more:
Young Wales international follows big brother in leaving English Premiership club
Welsh Varsity 2023 live updates, results and schedule as Cardiff and Swansea universities face off
Today's rugby news as Wales duo ready for farewells and Scarlets get European boost
What Warren Gatland's World Cup training squad is expected to look like next week
