The great debate about who should be in at No 10 for Wales is raging once again following the retirement of Dan Biggar. Not only that, Gareth Anscombe is unavailable to Warren Gatland for the Six Nations because of his club commitments in Japan, Sam Costelow and Owen Williams are both currently injured and Jarrod Evans is ineligible following his switch to Harlequins.

The Welsh Rugby Union was an “unforgiving, even vindictive” environment to work in for some of its employees. Witnesses interviewed as part of Dame Anne Rafferty’s review of the union reported feelings of powerlessness and fear, with the WRU described in the review’s report as an organisation which was “unsure on its feet”.

The Welsh Rugby Union have pledged to let someone else mark their homework as a result of disastrous failings in the governing body. Of the 36 recommendations made in a damning independent report – all of which the WRU says they will implement – the most significant is the agreement to hand over ultimate judgement on how it operates to an independent body.

The Dragons have confirmed that former head coach Paul Turner will be returning to the region in a consultancy capacity to work alongside Dai Flanagan and his coaching team. Turner – who previously worked at the club between 2005 and 2011 – is joining the ‘Men of Gwent’ on a part-time basis.

It was a weekend to forget for the Welsh regions, with all four teams losing at home in the United Rugby Championship – but it could have been such a different story. Both the Scarlets and Ospreys were leading with less than five minutes to go against the Emirates Lions and Glasgow Warriors respectively, only to concede late scores.

Morgan Morris insists he is unconcerned that his consistent form for the Ospreys has yet to earn him a place in the Wales squad. The back row forward has been a stand-out performer for his region over the past couple of seasons with his tireless carrying and work over the ball.

Just a couple of months ago, there seemed next to no chance of Willis Halaholo becoming a Cardiff Rugby centurion. It looked as though his seven-year stay at the Arms Park was over, with no new contract having been put in place, leaving him stranded on 97 appearances.

Steve Phillips was given a near £500,000 pay off when he quit the Welsh Rugby Union earlier this year. But that was only a quarter of the £1.9m shelled out to former employees who left over a chaotic 12-month period, including former Wales coach Wayne Pivac and his assistants.

Wales fly-half Sam Costelow is expected to be sidelined until January after suffering shoulder and hamstring injuries. Scarlets playmaker Costelow was hurt during Wales’ 49-26 victory over the Barbarians on Saturday and went off at half-time.

A 36-13 win at Bridgend may have taken reigning Indigo Premiership champions Llandovery back to the top of the table, but head coach Euros Evans is preparing for the pressure to be turned up this month. Pontypool head to Church Bank on Saturday and are bang in form having won seven matches in a row, while Newport are the visitors a fortnight later.

Gareth Davies believes the Scarlets can continue the repair job on their URC season after their victory over Cardiff. The Wales scrum-half is likely to be a key figure again for his region when they host South African side, the Lions on Saturday.

Wales head coach Tom Brindle insisted he was proud of his team despite Wales’ 60-0 defeat to England in a women’s rugby league international at Headingley. Two tries apiece from Amy Hardcastle and Tara-Jane Stanley set England on their way as they scored 11 tries in a ruthless victory at the weekend.

Warren Gatland has underlined the importance of patience as he nurtures a new generation of Wales international players. Welsh rugby bid farewell to three of its biggest names – Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Leigh Halfpenny – in a tribute game that saw Wales beat Principality Stadium opponents the Barbarians 49-26.

Wales skipper Jac Morgan is expecting a few tugs on his jersey, a bit of niggle and a few harsh words when he finds himself playing against his Ospreys club captain Justin Tipuric in the game against the Barbarians. But while many see the non-capped match as being a bit of a jamboree, Morgan is going to impress upon his players that they will be representing their country – just as they did in France during the recent World Cup.

Leigh Halfpenny looks set to continue his rugby career in the southern hemisphere after he makes a final Wales appearance on Saturday. The Wales full-back, who has won 101 caps, will bow out of international rugby following the Barbarians’ Principality Stadium visit.

On the face of it, Richard Hodges has just about the toughest job in the United Rugby Championship as Zebre’s new defence coach. After all, the Italians conceded no fewer than 101 tries in losing all 18 league games last season, 28 more than any other side and an average of 5.6 a match.

There won’t be a dry eye in the Halfpenny household – or at the Principality Stadium – when Leigh Halfpenny takes to the field for one last time in a Welsh jersey against the Barbarians on Saturday. After 15 years and 101 caps, he will be hanging up his boots at international level before taking his place among the modern-day greats of Welsh rugby.  His has been an incredible career, as the following statistics prove:

Taking on a Swansea-based team will bring back fond memories for Hollywoodbets Sharks boss John Plumtree as he heads into this weekend’s ground-breaking BKT URC clash with the Ospreys. The Kiwi spent almost five years as coach of Swansea RFC through until late 2001, winning two league titles and the Welsh Cup. Since then, he’s worked in his homeland of New Zealand with the Hurricanes and the All Blacks, as well as in South Africa, Ireland and Japan.

The clock is counting down to ‘full time’ on the amazing rugby career of the world’s most capped player, Alun Wyn Jones. He will be back at the venue he graced for so long, and with such distinction, in a Welsh jersey this weekend when he captains the Barbarians team that will face Warren Gatland’s home side in a special, post-World Cup fixture.

Ioan Cunningham has made six changes to the Wales team hammered by New Zealand for their final match of their inaugural WXV1 campaign against Australia. The head coach has opted to ring the changes for the game against the Aussies at the Go Media Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland on Friday, November 3rd (KO: 7pm local time).