Here are your rugby evening headlines for Tuesday, March 8.
France suffer Dupont injury scare days out from France clash
France have reportedly suffered an injury scare ahead of their Six Nations clash with Wales.
According to reports in France, talismanic scrum-half Antoine Dupont didn't finish training on Tuesday after he was forced out with an elbow injury.
AFP reports that the Toulouse star was treated at the edge of the field, ending the session with his arm in a bandage and an ice pack being applied to his bicep.
"He took a blow to the biceps but I don't think it was very serious, he preferred not to take any risks," his teammate François Cros told AFP.
The report adds that deputy Maxime Lucu took his place in training, with France now sweating on the fitness of their captain.
England prop jokes about training ground fight ahead of Ireland clash
Prop Joe Marler has claimed there is an added edge in training ahead of their Six Nations clash with Ireland this weekend, joking players have been scrapping.
He even added that, such is the must-win nature of the match with Ireland, his team-mates aren't laughing at his jokes anymore.
“There’s definitely a bigger sense of what’s coming,” said the enigmatic Harlequins’ prop.
“Ireland are very good. Wales is always big but they were missing names whereas Ireland are full bore. They have been together and there is a sense that the guys today were realising this is serious.
“I’m not saying Wales weren’t serious because I know the way the media twists these things which is a pain in the arse.
“We had a good session. Gengey (Ellis Genge) punched me four times, put my nose this way and that way and then a rib shot! Not to worry, I’ll get him back later!
“No, the hits are a bit stickier. Whenever I make a gag, there are normally laughs but not today. They’re looking at me and I’m thinking, ‘okay, this is serious.’
“I’m trying to think of the last bar-room brawl I was involved in. It will be tasty , they love chucking numbers at the breakdown. You get around 40 attempts from them to attack us there in every game."
Sexton to retire after 2023 World Cup
Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton has announced he will retire from the game after the 2023 World Cup.
The new deal will see the Irish captain stay with Leinster up until the end of the tournament in France
The 36-year-old has hit a number of milestones recently - winning his 100th cap last autumn and reaching 500 Six Nations Championship points this year.
"Yeah, finished, 2023 World Cup - it's up to me to work hard, get the body and mind in the best shape possible and attack the last 18 months," he said.
"I'm still very driven to get there and perform at the World Cup."
He added: “I always said that if I am enjoying my rugby and the Ireland and Leinster set-ups believe I can add value to the environment then it would be an easy decision to sign another contract.
“There is some great talent coming through at Leinster at present and I am excited about the prospect of competing at a fourth World Cup with Ireland and the potential for growth in this group between now and then.”
And he also confirmed that he would hang up his boots after the World Cup.
Zebre help Ukrainian refugees escape
Italian club Zebre have helped the families of players at a Kyiv club escape Ukraine following Russia's invasion of the country.
More than 1.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine since Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of the country on February 24, while more than 400 civilian deaths have been confirmed.
In an effort to help ease the crisis, the URC club confirmed on Monday that a coach sent by Zebre had successfully evacuated 49 Ukrainian people to Parma, where they are based.
The majority of those aboard the bus were relatives of players at Kyiv rugby outfit RC Polytechnic, whose link with Zebre was only established a few months ago.
While more than four dozen family members successfully crossed into Italy, the players from RC Polytechnic have remained in their native land to help fight off Russian invaders.
“We did what we felt was right to do at a time like this," Zebre president Michele Dalai said in a statement. "If we say we are a big family, it is in these situations that we have the opportunity to prove it."
Zebre confirmed all those who had made the journey from the Ukrainian border were “in good health” upon their arrival in Italy.
The 49 people evacuated on a single coach by Zebre is just one fewer than the number of visas the UK government has awarded to Ukrainian refugees to date.
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Wales becomes first female team sponsored by period underwear brand
Wales's rugby team has become the first female sports team to be sponsored by a period underwear brand.
Menstruation underwear brand WUKA will provide the Wales Women’s national senior squad with a range of sustainable period underwear - the first period pants brand to sponsor a sports team.
Jo Perkins, Wales Women head physio, said: “This partnership is fantastic news for us as a programme, and for female sport in general.
“As part of our performance programme we are looking at many ways in which we can support players so they can reach their full potential on the pitch - and that includes tackling aspects of female health.
“Acknowledging the importance of periods is the first important step. The menstrual cycle should be seen as a real advantage to women, not only as a sign of good health - but by adapting nutrition and training at key times in the cycle, women can make performance gains.
“WUKA is the perfect partner. With this practical support, players will be able to feel strong, confident and supported to help them concentrate on performing rather than worry about other factors.”
In addition to this, the Welsh Rugby Union have announced that pioneering work is being done around pelvic floor training and menstrual cycle education, both in the performance programme and the community game, while the Principality Stadium will provide feminine hygiene products free of charge.
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