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Jon Doel

Today's rugby news as England international tells Wales to go for Scott Robertson over Gatland and Rees-Zammit loving new role

The latest rugby headlines from Wales and beyond on Wednesday, November 30.

'Go for Scott Robertson'

England scrum-half Danny Care believes Wales should bypass Warren Gatland and look to appoint fellow Kiwi coach Scott Robertson immediately.

Robertson is highly rated after winning numerous Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders and is keen to land an international job. He is known to be on a shortlist of England contenders to replace Jones, who will be gone after the 2023 World Cup, if not before.

Care has heard good things and told the BBC: "If I was the Wales guys I'd be knocking on his door. If anyone might galvanise a nation, get a team playing some fun rugby and get some fans behind a team it's Scott Robertson.

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"I spoke to some guys who played for him with the Barbarians recently and his knowledge of the game is apparently unbelievable. and his ability to bring people together in a short space of time was exceptional."

Gatland remains the favourite to take the job on a short-term basis if the WRU decide to sack Wayne Pivac.

Rees-Zammit loves new Wales role

Louis Rees-Zammit has admitted he 'loved' playing in a new role for Wales this autumn.

The young flyer was selected at full-back for matches against Argentina and Georgia, impressing in the game against the Pumas. The call came amid an injury crisis in the Welsh back three and after Rees-Zammit had contacted Wayne Pivac ahead of the November series to tell him he could play there.

With Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny seemingly cursed by regular injuries, Wales' options are limited heading into Rugby World Cup year, and Rees-Zammit is an appealing candidate.

He told WalesOnline: "I love playing there. I'll play wherever the coach wants me to play. Obviously it was only my second time playing there but I got a lot more ball and I really enjoyed it.

"It's not too different in backfield because the wing and full-back work together. You're in the backfield so you're retrieving kicks a lot more and kicking a lot more - whether that's to yourself or going long to chase. It's not too different to wing because every winger wants to get more touches and work off their wing. You just want to try and get in the best places on the pitch.

"You get more touches because you're middle of the park. You're not that last pass on the edge, so you get more touches. I'm pretty comfortable with both. I really enjoyed full-back and I love playing on the wing. Wherever the coach wants me to play, I'll play."

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Jones clinging on

Eddie Jones is reportedly clinging to his job today, with the tide appearing to turn against him within the RFU corridors of power.

MailOnline report Jones is aware of the souring mood at a time when he also reportedly faces another backroom exodus.

The RFU last night refused to confirm reports that doctor Richard Tingay had quit, while the future of Danny Kerry, who only joined England before the autumn to improve the team’s culture, is also unclear.

New Zealander Scott Robertson and Leicester coach Steve Borthwick are the favourites to replace Jones.

World Rugby probe into autumn controversy

World Rugby has concluded "discrepancies around process and communication" led to Australia's Nic White wrongly being allowed to continue playing after suffering a head injury in his side's 13-10 defeat to Ireland.

Wallabies scrum-half White was visibly unsteady on his feet following a tackle on Mack Hansen and an accidental collision with Josh Van Der Flier's boot in the second half of the Dublin Test on November 19.

The former Exeter player passed a head injury assessment before completing the full 80 minutes at the Aviva Stadium but an independent review has ruled he should have been taken off.

The investigation attributed the mistake to medics missing crucial footage of a dazed, stumbling White because they were busy reviewing the initial tackle.

Concussion campaign group Progressive Rugby and television spectators were among those angered by the events.

White, 32, was subsequently stood down for 12 days, resulting in him being absent on Saturday for his country's 39-34 win over Wales in Cardiff.

World Rugby reaffirmed its commitment to the "highest-possible standards of care for all players" as it detailed findings of the review.

"The event involved two separate incidents," read a statement from the governing body.

"Given the facts and footage available, it was defensible for the medical team to remove Nic White for an HIA after the first incident.

"The second incident resulted in criteria one signs according to the World Rugby HIA process, which should have resulted in White's permanent removal from the field.

"Both the independent match day doctor and team doctor were in the process of reviewing video footage for the first incident when the second occurred.

"The second incident was not communicated to either doctor and therefore, in performing White's HIA, (they) did not review any additional footage.

"Having been made aware of the second incident after the game, both doctors reviewed the footage and declared a criteria one diagnosis

"Discrepancies around process and communication, rather than interpretation of player signs, were therefore the key factors to affect this particular HIA process."

Read more:

Shane Williams backs Warren Gatland's return but warns succession plan must be in place

Dan Biggar calls for Wales' 60-cap rule to be scrapped and argues players should be picked whichever club they are at

Wales' player of the year on verge of quitting Welsh rugby amid freeze on new regional contracts

Dragons confirm they're helpless to stop Will Rowlands quitting Welsh rugby and host of others could also leave

Today's rugby news as Shaun Edwards backs Warren Gatland Wales return and Wood says he'd make 'significant' difference

Live updates as Wales coach Wayne Pivac on brink and WRU hold review

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