NEWS ROUND-UP:GARETH JENKINS could make a shock return to Llanelli Scarlets following the departure of rugby director Phil Davies.

Davies has left Stradey Park, axed following a dismal season that saw Llanelli fail to make an impact in the Heineken Cup, Magners League or Anglo-Welsh Cup.

And it is understood the former Scarlets boss Jenkins may be lined up for a new post of elite-performance director at the Welsh region.

Jenkins left Llanelli to become Wales coach in April 2006, but his reign with the national team ended last autumn after a damaging failure to progress beyond the World Cup pool stage.

Paul Moriarty, supported by his fellow former Wales internationals Robert Jones and Wayne Proctor - all members of Davies's support staff - have been placed in interim charge.

The Scarlets have two Magners League games left, both at Stradey Park, against Munster on Saturday and Edinburgh a week later.

Ireland's rugby league authorities have been approached by international union players considering switching codes ahead of this year's League World Cup.

The Irish-based players responded to a call from Ireland coach Andy Kelly to expand the pool of talent from which he will select his squad for the tournament in Australia.

Kelly is casting the net wide in hopes of assembling a squad capable of matching Tonga and Samoa in their World Cup group.

"We had a good response, including a number of Australian players who qualify quite legitimately and from a couple of Irish rugby union players," he said.

"They've inquired not just about the World Cup but about rugby league as a career, which is quite exciting.

"I can't name names because of the positions they're in with their own provinces but we're talking provincial and some attached, if not to the full international side, then to the Ireland A side."

Bristol are set to announce they will play their home games in Wales for the next two seasons.

Confirmation could come tomorrow of a temporary switch across the Severn Bridge to Newport Gwent Dragons' Rodney Parade home.

The move is due to a major redevelopment of Bristol's current Memorial Stadium base, which is also used by Bristol Rovers Football Club.