Tonight's rugby news as Wales' difference makers identified and Welsh star returns after health diagnosis

These are your evening rugby headlines on Friday, November 1.

Wales' difference-makers identified

Josh Adams says the return of Wales' more experienced players will "add massively" to the squad this autumn as he identified four key difference-makers for Warren Gatland's side.

Appearing on the latest episode of the SportIn Wales podcast alongside Bradley Davies, Adams - who was not selected in the latest squad but has been training with them this week - was asked by host Alex Cuthbert about the impact some of the returning talent will make over the next month.

"I think they will add massively," said the Cardiff wing. "We've probably missed some experience throughout the summer campaign and even though it was really good for some other boys to have some Test exposure, some of them have done terrifically well, I just know that these lads are talking a lot more now.

"There's more voices about the place and there is a bit more accountability, a bit more edge in training, because these (experienced) boys are holding others accountable."

WIN Wales autumn internationals tickets: Just fill in the form here and you'll be entered in the draw for free Wales v Fiji tickets

He added: "Someone like [Adam] Beardy, Will [Rowlands] missed the summer as well. Those two in the (second) row are big players for us.

"Jac [Morgan] was on fire at the weekend, wasn't he? He's a different beast. I think the back row is somewhere where we are really blessed. We've always had such good players, and Tommy (Williams) is absolutely carving up in the Prem at the minute isn't he?"

On Williams, Davies remarked: "He's the best anaerobic games player in the world isn't he?" while Cuthbert added: "Untouchable, mate."

Welsh star returns after health diagnosis

Wales international Archie Griffin is set to make his return to playing after being named in Bath's squad to face Ampthill this weekend.

The 23-year-old prop has not played since September after being diagnosed with a heart condition that emerged following the first game of the Gallagher Premiership season. Bath had previously released a statement saying he would miss their next three fixtures as he was "sidelined with a bout of illness," but Griffin revealed the full extent of the situation to WalesOnline earlier this week.

“I had this heart condition called pericarditis," said Griffin. "It just came up in the first Prem week and I didn’t think too much of it, because it just feels like chest soreness.

“I played in the Northampton game with it and then after that I had all the tests and everything for it and I was given two weeks sit down. I couldn’t do anything for two weeks. I couldn’t gym, I couldn’t exercise and then I’ve just been coming back to fitness. But I’m back in full training now, I’m all good now.”

The Sydney-born star has now cut out caffeine and alcohol and is monitoring for any symptoms, but said the experience has made it clear to him that "all I want to do is play rugby".

He is set to make his return to playing on Saturday, having been named among the replacements to take on Championship side Ampthill in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

England plan haka challenge after Marler storm

By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent

Ellis Genge says England are planning their challenge to the haka after Joe Marler caused a storm by calling for New Zealand's pre-match ritual to be scrapped.

Marler has since apologised after taking to social media to brand the haka "ridiculous" and stating it should be "binned", but captain Jamie George fears his comments may have "prodded the bear".

All eyes will be on the Maori war dance at Allianz Stadium on Saturday when the All Blacks launch the Autumn Nations Series - and England could add to the spectacle through their response.

"We'll chat about it later on, we've got a meeting and we'll see what the craic is," Bristol prop Genge said. "We're not going to start climbing on each other's shoulders, but we'll sit there respectfully and watch it.

"I've only faced it once (in 2022). It's massive in the history of the game. Most people who aren't necessarily too interested in rugby still know what the haka is.

"I know some people are divided on it but I quite like it. It's bit of a challenge. I'm a big fan of it and I don't think we should get rid of it. You should be able to respond but everyone is respectful when they do that."

Sinfield 'didn't expect' to still be in job

By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent

Kevin Sinfield admits he did not expect to be a part of England's coaching team this autumn.

Sinfield has promised to "over-deliver" after shelving plans to step down once the summer tour to Japan and New Zealand had been completed in favour of continuing as skills and kicking coach. The 44-year-old rugby league great is present for Saturday's autumn opener against the All Blacks but will miss the Tests against Australia and Japan having committed to a speaking tour in the belief he was leaving.

Following talks with Steve Borthwick, he has committed to England on an ongoing basis with his duties beyond this month's fixtures scaled back to provide scope for his fundraising work.

"Clearly I didn't think I'd be here. The very first conversation about me staying on started after the Six Nations," Sinfield said. "It took some time to work through a solution because it's complicated when you're trying to do some charity bits that mean a lot to you. You can't always plan the time of year that should be or how it looks.

"I've really enjoyed the role with England and I love working with the guys. The group, representing your country and being around high performance - these things mean a lot to me.

"My role will change but that probably won't really come into force until the Six Nations and I've always been a guy who's tried to over deliver. I intend on doing that again.

"There are some things outside of rugby that I'm really passionate about such as the charity stuff. And the the speaking stuff has been important to me as well. I've been trying to manage that. I will be in and out of camp this autumn and that will mean I will miss two of the games. But then I'll be available for every game."

Sinfield has raised over £8million for motor-neurone disease charities following the diagnosis of his friend and former Leeds team-mate Rob Burrow in 2019. Burrow died from the illness in June.