Paul James has joined the Wales coaching team as scrum coach following the freak leg injury that Duncan Jones sustained during camp last week.
Sixty-six cap Grand Slam and Six Nations Championship winner James has been coaching with the Ospreys since December 2018 and was scrum and set piece coach for Wales U20 in 2021.
Steve Tandy said: “It’s great to add Paul to the coaching team and my thanks to the Ospreys for enabling this opportunity at short notice.
“We’re all extremely disappointed for Duncan with his injury. He’s been a huge part of the environment and I want to thank him for all that he’s put into the campaign so far. He will be really missed around the group and we wish him all the best with his recovery.”
Paul James added: “I’m excited for the opportunity to come in and coach with Wales. I’m looking forward to doing all I can to help the boys”
Duncan Jones said: “I’m absolutely gutted that a freak injury means I’m unable to continue in camp with Wales this Six Nations. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to coach international rugby and being able to work with this great group of players and staff. I will be giving Steve and the squad all my support from the sidelines for the remainder of the Championship.”
Yn dilyn damwain anarferol i goes Ducan Jones wrth ymarfer yr wythnos ddiwethaf, mae Paul James wedi ymuno gyda thîm hyfforddi Cymru i ofalu am y sgrym.
Tra’n chwarae, fe enillodd James Gamp Lawn a Phencampwriaeth Chwe Gwlad yn ogystal â 66 o gapiau dros Gymru. Ers mis Rhagfyr 2018, mae Paul James wedi bod yn hyfforddi gyda’r Gweilch. Bu hefyd yn gyfrifol am sgrymiau a chwarae gosod tîm o dan 20 Cymru yn 2021.
Dywedodd Steve Tandy: “Mae’n wych gallu ychwanegu Paul at ein tîm hyfforddi ac rwy’n ddiolchgar iawn i’r Gweilch am ymateb mor gadarnhaol i’n cais ar fyr rybudd.
“Ry’n ni gyd yn teimlo i’r byw dros Duncan gan ei fod wedi bod yn rhan mor allweddol o greu’r awyrgylch cywir o fewn y garfan. Mae wedi gweithio’n ddiflino wrth arwain at y Bencampwriaeth a byddwn yn gweld ei eisiau’n fawr. Mae holl aelodau’r garfan yn dymuno’r gorau iddo.”
Ychwanegodd Paul James: “Rwy’n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at ddod i mewn er mwyn hyfforddi’r garfan. Mae cael y cyfle yma’n gyffrous iawn ac fe wnaf bopeth y gallaf i helpu’r bechgyn.”
Dywedodd Duncan Jones: “Dwi methu â chredu beth sydd wedi digwydd a dwi’n siomedig iawn bod damwain hollol anarferol yn golygu na alla’i barhau i hyfforddi’r garfan am weddill y Bencampwriaeth eleni. Dwi wirioneddol wedi mwynhau’r cyfle i weithio ar y llwyfan rhyngwladol a threulio amser gyda grŵp mor arbennig o chwaraewyr a staff. Byddaf yn dal i gefnogi Steve a’r garfan am weddill y gystadleuaeth wrth gwrs.”