Wales have been left furious with Japanese rugby team Suntory Sungoliath after their relationship with England boss Eddie Jones was revealed.
Wales flung open their doors for coaches from Sungoliath on two separate occasions last season, including a week during the successful Six Nations campaign.
Coaches from the Japanese outfit spent a week embedded in the camp, observing different coaching techniques and will have been privy to tactical details Wales were using to prepare for games.
They will have also spent a lot of time learning from Wales boss Warren Gatland .
However, it has since been revealed that England boss Jones has been working as a consultant for Sungoliath for a number of years with the RFU's consent.
That had not been public knowledge until the news broke last week.
Jones has been flying over to work with the Top League club for three weeks a year during his holidays. When he isn't on the ground in Japan, he still assists them in what has been described as a director of rugby type of role.
WalesOnline understands Gatland is deeply annoyed with the Japanese club for not informing Wales of their close relationship with Jones prior to their behind the scenes visits.
Fortunately for Wales, it didn't undermine their quest for Six Nations success as they wrapped up the Grand Slam, beating Jones' England along the way.
There is no evidence to suggest that there have been any underhand tactics utilised by Jones.
But there could now be concerns among the Wales hierarchy that information gathered could potentially be used against them at the World Cup later this year.
Wales allow staff from other teams into their environment in good faith and feel Sungoliath should have been more up front with them about Jones' involvement.
The Welsh Rugby Union receive regular requests from teams and coaches from various different sports to come and have a look at how Gatland's side train and prepare for games.
Former England football star Joey Barton has been in camp in the past and has spoken highly of the Welsh experience. Bath Rugby have also sent some of their backroom team to observe the methods of Gatland and his backroom team.
Wales are very amenable to such requests and some of their own coaches have spent time with Premier League football clubs.
However, news of Jones' involvement with Suntory Sungoliath came as a shock to them and Wales are not happy.
