Six Nations news: England and Wales release players as France dealt big injury blow
All the latest news and updates from the build-up to the third round of matches in the Six Nations.
The fallout from the second round of Six Nations matches continues with Scotland still seething after being denied a last-gasp try which would have earned them a win over France. But World Rugby won't be issuing an apology or even a public explanation for the call despire requests from the SRU. The next Six Nations games take place on Saturday, February 24. Ireland play Wales (2.15pm kick-off) before Scotland host England at 4.45pm. The following day, France take on Italy in Paris, with a 3pm start. It's Ireland who are now clear favourites for back-to-back titles after taking a maximum 10 points from their first two games.
Goodnight
That's all we've got time for this evening.
Thanks for joining us for another day of rugby news as we continue to look ahead to the next round of Six Nations fixtures.
We'll be back in the morning for more of the same.Catch you then!
Ireland sweating over Keenan fitness
Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell is 'hopeful' that Hugo Keenan will be fit to face Wales in their Six Nations clash next weekend.
The full-back limped out of Ireland's thumping win over Italy with a knee injury but could return to action when Wales visit the Aviva Stadium.
"He's progressing with his rehabilitation," said O'Connell.
"He was there at training today. He took part in all the organisational bits but I have no full update.
"He's still available for selection for Wales but I'm not sure what will happen in the next few days.
"I'm not sure where he's at, but he was around training so we'd be hopeful."
ICYMI: Feyi-Waboso explains snubbing Wales for England
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has insisted that it was entirely his own decision to represent England instead of Wales at international level.
He told the Daily Mail: "It’s always been something to think about. I moved to England. A lot of my family are English.
"My grandmother is English, lives in Gloucester. My dad is half-English and my mum’s Nigerian.
"As soon as I got into England it was a decision to think about, but I thought it would be a lot further in the future. I blocked out a lot of the noise.
"I have a lot of good people around me, like family. They helped my decision and definitely didn’t force my hand. It was definitely my decision."
Beard happy with Jenkins as captain
Wales lock Adam Beard has hailed the leadership qualities of Dafydd Jenkins, who was appointed captain by Warren Gatland before the start of the Six Nations.
"He is doing great," said Beard. "There are a lot of leaders in this squad, and we are trying to help him out as much as possible and not have too much weight on his shoulders.
"He has had a lot of experience captaining Exeter and he has taken things in his stride. It has not affected his performances in any shape or form.
"He has been playing some of his best rugby. He speaks when he needs to speak and people listen."
Wales legend 'fearful' of Ireland
Wales icon Shane Williams has admitted that he is worried about the prospect of Warren Gatland's side facing Ireland next weekend.
"I'm fearful of this game, I really am," said Williams.
"I'm hugely impressed at how Ireland are playing the game. On Saturday, even though Italy didn't score a point, they didn't play poorly.
"They had a real go and kept the ball really well, but they were just massively frustrated by a well-organised defence.
"Ireland had to work really hard for their tries, it wasn't as if they were scoring 70 or 80 yarders untouched, they're going to play through 20 phases-plus, easy.
"That's how they do it, grind it down, they get lineouts five metres from the line. That's how they work. They made Italy look quite poor."
Galthie accused of mocking French public
France head coach Fabien Galthie has been accused of 'making fun' of supporters following last weekend's dramatic triumph over Scotland.
Former scrum-half Pierre Berbizier took issue with the France boss for his 'ironic tone' in his post-match interviews.
Berbizier told RMC Sport: "Out of respect for this Scottish team, this ironic tone bothers me a little.
"I have the impression that he was making fun of the journalists present, but by making fun of the journalists, he is making fun of us, of the public.
"It was not the time to make humour, if it was meant to be humour, given the scenario of the match, given the match against Ireland which followed the South Africa match. I was more expecting a low profile on his part."
England address Tuilagi concerns
England defence coach Felix Jones is adamant that Manu Tuilagi will be fit and ready to face Scotland despite playing in just two matches since last year's Rugby World Cup.
Jones said: "Manu had little bit of a run around out there today. It wasn’t anything too intense, but he looked good.
"He’s done it a number of times where he’s come back from injury with low levels of game time but still been able to perform at a very high level. Experience accounts for a lot in those situations."
French captain ruled out of Italy clash
France have confirmed they will be without skipper Gregory Alldrit for the home clash with Italy on February 25.
The No.8 was forced off in the second half against Scotland with a leg injury, and the FRF have now confirmed he will miss the next round of games.
Ireland not in "same category as All Blacks"
Former England winger Chris Ashton says he would not put Ireland "in the same category of some of those all-conquering All Blacks teams."
He's told Gambling Zone: "I’d love to put this Ireland team in the same category of some of those all-conquering All Blacks teams, but there is a big difference between winning a Grand Slam and winning a World Cup. Ireland know that better than anybody having not been able to progress to a World Cup semi-final in their history.
"Within Europe, Ireland have definitely been the best team, but they haven’t been able to demonstrate that at a World Cup, which is their only Achilles heel if we are comparing them with South Africa and the All Blacks."
Italy star Allan out of Six Nations
Italy No.10 Tommaso Allan has suddenly put his international career on hold.
On his Instagram account, Allan explained: "This decision was not easy to make. It was a very tiring year physically and mentally. Being away from my family for months only made things more difficult. The decision was made for my well-being and that of the team. Thank you as always for your continued support. Forza Italia."
England coach unhappy with displays
England defence coach Felix Jones has warned players they have a lot of work to do after conceding five tries in their first two Six Nations games.
"I wouldn't say I'm overly happy," Jones told BBC Sport.
"I don't think anyone is when you're conceding points, so it's a work in progress. There are loads of things still to work on, but also some good bits that we want to retain.
"We are at a level where you can't blind yourself to things that need attention, but you want to draw positives from a tournament where winning counts."
Music legend lauds Irish anthem singer
Music legend Phil Coulter has called Stevie Mulrooney "an absolute hero" after he sung Ireland’s Call at the weekend.
The eight-year-old was invited by the Irish squad to perform the anthem before the 36-0 win over Italy, and duly became an overnight sensation.
Phil Coulter, who wrote Ireland’s Call, has said on his facebook page: "Stevie is an absolute hero! One of the best versions of the song I've ever heard!"
England 'A' squad announced.
England A have named their side for the game with Portugal in Leicester on February 25.
Overall, 21 of the 27 players have been brought through the England Rugby pathway, and achieved caps at either U18 or U20 level within the men’s system.
The squad was selected by Steve Borthwick in consultation with England A head coach George Skivington and his team.
Introducing your England A Men's squad ahead of next weekend's clash against Portugal in Leicester! \ud83d\ude4c
\u2014 England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 15, 2024
Click below to read more.
Scotland legend speaks out over try controversy
The fallout from the Scotland v France clash continues with Chris Paterson claiming the saga has "clouded" his former side's Six Nations campaign.
Paterson, who won 109 international caps, told talkSPORT: "Its a totally unique set of circumstance. It looks like a clear and obvious decision but I understand the pressures and stresses that referees are under.
"It's a really strange scenario and it has clouded the game. I can't see how it wasn't a try."
England trio return to clubs
Steve Borthwick has released three players from his squad ahead of the clash with Scotland on February 24.
Tom Pearson (Northampton), Oscar Beard (Harlequins), and Jamie Blamire (Newcastle) will all return to their club sides for games this weekend.
Doris speaks out on Aviva atmosphere
Ireland's Caelon Dorris has said encouraging young fans to have a "few more pints" would improve the atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium.
Noise levels were low during the win over Italy, and Doris told RTE Sport: "In France, they’ve got the drums going and they’ve got a little bit more music or stuff like that although some people, the purists who are just there to watch the game might find that a little bit frustrating.
"I think having sections that are catered a bit more for students or younger people and they are encouraged to have a few more pints as well would be no harm.
"But I can see the frustration if people who are there to watch the game and they have people getting up and down in front of them, it takes away from being able to track the game but I’m sure there are ways to balance."
Double delight for Lowe
As well as winning the player of the round award, Ireland winger James Lowe has also been deemed to have scored the standout try.
Fans voted for his second-half effort against Italy, ahead of tries from Ben White, Gael Fickou, and Fraser Dingwall,
\ud83e\udd29 This week's winner of Try of the Round goes to ...
\u2014 Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 14, 2024
\ud83e\udd41\ud83e\udd41\ud83e\udd41@IrishRugby's James Lowe \ud83d\ude4c#GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/S4GfthbKYk
Costelow returns to training
Wales No.10 Sam Costelow is back in training after missing the Six Nations defeat to England.
The Scarlets fly-half missed the trip to Twickenham with a neural neck injury suffered in the first-half of Wales' defeat to Scotland, with club team-mate Ioan Lloyd deputising.
"He is looking good and trained this morning," said head of physical performance Huw Bennett yesterday.
Former England hooker retires
Saracens hooker Tom Woolstencroft has been forced to retire from rugby on medical advice.
Woolstencroft, 29, played 85 times for Sarries since joining from London Irish in 2018, winning the Premiership twice along with the Champions Cup. But the former England Under-20s player has now explained his decision to retire.
"I'm proud of my career and my contributions to this team," Woolstencroft told the club website. "Coming to terms with having to retire has been tough, particularly when it's a club like Saracens you are leaving behind.
"I've got to thank the coaches for putting their faith in me, and to the medical staff for patching me back together a fair few times."
Irish winger Lowe wins round two award
Fans have voted for Ireland winger James Lowe as their Six Nations player of the weekend.
Lowe crossed for a superb try in the 36-0 win over Italy, and beat other candidates Ben Earl, Gaal Fickou, and Tommy Reffell.
\u2b50\ufe0f You had your say and you voted for @IrishRugby's James Lowe as this week's Player of the Round \ud83d\ude4c#GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/AfQ7NXJrwJ
\u2014 Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 14, 2024
Ashton calls on Wales to 'identify' talent
Ex-England winger Chris Ashton has challenged Warren Gatland to build his Wales team around young talent.
Speaking to Gambling Zone, Ashton said: "I think Wales have to understand and identify the players that are going to be in the team for the next six or seven years and build their team around them. They have lads in the squad that have been thrown in at the deep end who have hardly played any first team rugby, but the situation in Welsh rugby at the minute has given them an opportunity. They need the five or six players they can build their team around. They have some wonderful young talented players coming through.
World Rugby refuse to apologise to Scotland
World Rugby will not be issuing a public explanation of the decision not to award Scotland what would have been a winning try against France last Saturday. The SRU called on the governing body to acknowledge that a mistake was made by not allowing Sam Skinner’s late try to stand.
But World Rugby has a policy of refusing to comment publicly on specific officials' decisions and is not expected to issue any clarification.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has written to Joel Jutge, head of referees at World Rugby, and Phil Davies, director of rugby at the governing body, to express his frustration at the decision.
Dingwall welcomes Tuilagi return
Centre Manu Tuilagi was included in England's 36-man training squad yesterday ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash in Scotland on February 24.
Tuilagi, 32, has recovered from a groin injury and will rival Fraser Dingwall for the No.12 shirt - a development Dingwall has welcomed.
"Manu offers something different to the centre than we have and he is very experienced," he told BBC Sport.
"I have spent time with Manu before and have learned from him. If we can find a way where we can compliment each other in training as well, then that will benefit the squad."
Good morning!
Welcome back to our live blog as the fallout from last weekend's Six Nations games continues!
We will bring you the latest news and updates with teams now preparing for the next round of matches.