**Leigh Halfpenny Waves Farewell, New Wales Coaching Line-Up Appointed, and Summer Tour Absentees Explained**
Tuesday evening has brought with it a swathe of rugby headlines from Wales and further afield, as stalwart full-back Leigh Halfpenny announces his departure from Harlequins and preparations for the Welsh summer tour to Japan take shape under new coaching guidance.
Harlequins confirmed today the addition of their head coach Danny Wilson and scrum coach Adam Jones to Matt Sherratt’s Wales coaching team for the upcoming tour. The pair will be working alongside Gethin Jenkins and T Rhys Thomas, a line-up designed to bring a balanced blend of experience and fresh thinking to the national set-up. Both Wilson and Jones have prior connections with Sherratt, and their appointments have been welcomed with enthusiasm within Welsh rugby circles.
Danny Wilson, sharing his thoughts for the first time since the announcement, emphasised the unique prestige of the opportunity. “Coaching internationally always feels special and is a tremendous chance to learn and develop further professionally,” Wilson remarked. He also thanked both the Welsh Rugby Union and Harlequins for supporting his short stint away from club commitments, noting he would return promptly for the start of pre-season.
Adam Jones, another respected name in the coaching ranks and a former Wales international, echoed Wilson’s sentiments. Drawing on his recent experience with the national squad during the Six Nations, Jones stated, “Being invited back into the Wales set-up is both an honour and an invaluable experience. I’m eager to continue improving as a coach in this high-performance environment.”
In player news, Leigh Halfpenny has bid an emotional farewell to Harlequins, with the English Premiership club publishing its full list of departing players. Halfpenny, 36, has indicated he intends to carry on playing, and speculation is rife regarding his next move, possibly to French Pro D2 side Béziers. On social media, Halfpenny expressed gratitude to the club and paid tribute to teammate Danny Care, who is retiring, describing him as a “legend on and off the field.” The Welsh Rugby Union has reportedly approached Halfpenny with an offer to take up a coaching role for the forthcoming Japan tour, although this has yet to be formally confirmed and may run in parallel with any club commitments.
Meanwhile, interim Wales head coach Matt Sherratt has clarified the rationale behind several notable omissions from his 34-man squad to face Japan in the Far East. The absence of Dafydd Jenkins was attributed to a planned surgical procedure, while Adam Beard and Will Rowlands are being rested, a decision reinforced by family considerations and impending club changes.
Providing further transparency, Sherratt explained, “Some players are unavailable due to injury or personal circumstances; for others, it’s an opportunity for rest and recovery ahead of the new season.” This approach, he implied, is designed to ensure the long-term fitness and readiness of the Welsh squad.
Questions were also raised regarding the exclusion of Gareth Anscombe. Sherratt emphasised the strategic intention to give younger fly-half Dan Edwards more exposure following his involvement in the Six Nations. With Sam Costelow returning from injury, and Ben Thomas offering cover at fly-half, Sherratt stated the focus was firmly on building depth and versatility in the squad.
Scarlets winger Ellis Mee, who impressed during the Six Nations, was another to miss out on selection. Sherratt acknowledged this as one of the toughest calls, explaining that the coaching staff opted for a blend of experience and current form, highlighting the inclusion of players such as Josh Adams, Tom Rogers, and the uncapped Keelan Giles. “Ellis has shown immense promise. We see a bright future for him in international rugby, but for this tour, we prioritised experience in the backline,” Sherratt explained.
Elsewhere in the home nations, England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is on the verge of an international comeback after being named in Steve Borthwick’s 33-man training squad ahead of the summer tour to Argentina and the United States. Feyi-Waboso has not featured in 2025 following a shoulder dislocation but could mark his return in Exeter Chiefs’ final match of the season. The 22-year-old’s prolific try-scoring record had previously captured British and Irish Lions interest before injury temporarily halted his ascent.
As the summer rugby calendar approaches, Wales’ refreshed coaching team and player roster will be under close scrutiny, both for the immediate results on tour and for their influence on the long-term trajectory of Welsh rugby. With farewell moments, new beginnings, and injury comebacks all in the mix, the coming weeks promise no shortage of talking points for supporters and pundits alike.