Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, February 23.
Wales 'need Faletau and Davies'
Former Wales captain Ryan Jones has urged Wayne Pivac to pick Taulupe Faletau and Jonathan Davies in his starting XV to face England.
Jones believes Wales will need all the world class talent they can muster to have a chance of earning victory at Twickenham, despite the fact Faletau has only played twice since the summer due to injury.
The number eight was added to the squad on Monday and is expected to feature on Saturday.
You can see the team Wales fans want to be picked here.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast, Jones said: "I think the front five battle will dictate the game because if Wales are unable to get possession, if they are unable to stop England at source, it could be a long day.
"They are going to need big performances from big players. Tomas Williams was excellent last week at nine. Biggar is going to have to run the game. If they can dominate territory, which I think is the most important stat in modern rugby, I think they will do really well.
"I'd like to see Josh Adams come back because he's just got that niggle, that edge which I think this type of game requires.
"I think Jonathan Davies has got to play in the centre. I just think we need to shore up that midfield. Going to Twickenham, you need his experience.
"I expect to see Taulupe Faletau figure. I would start him. You are talking about a genuinely world class player and those guys generally don't need many games to get back up to speed. We saw Alun Wyn do it on the Lions tour and he is in that category. I think it is going to require players like him to win a fixture like this. I would start him."
Jones still believes England are strong favourites, predicting a win by 12 points for the home team.
Ireland hit by Covid
Ireland lock Iain Henderson has been ruled out of Sunday's Guinness Six Nations clash with Italy after testing positive for coronavirus on his birthday.
The Ulster captain produced the result during routine testing when the Irish squad and management arrived into camp two days ago.
Henderson, who turned 30 on Monday, is isolating at home after the positive case was confirmed.
"Iain Henderson produced a positive Covid result during the routine testing of squad and management upon arrival into camp on Monday evening," read a statement from the Irish Rugby Football Union.
"The positive result has since been confirmed. Iain is well and has left Ireland camp to complete his period of isolation at home."
British and Irish Lion Henderson missed Ireland's opening Six Nations win over Wales following an ankle injury before returning as a replacement in the 30-24 loss to France on February 12.
Head coach Andy Farrell selected Tadhg Beirne to partner James Ryan in the second row for each of those games.
"There are no other positive results within the group and the squad will continue to test across the week," the IRFU statement added.
Rees-Zammit news dominates headlines
WalesOnline's exclusive story that Louis Rees-Zammit has been left out of the matchday squad to play England has dominated the rugby agenda on Wednesday.
Many fans have expressed their surprise at the decision to release the winger back to Gloucester for their match against Leicester this weekend.
Alex Cuthbert is expected to be retained after Wales' victory over Scotland last time out, with a fit-again Josh Adams returning on the other wing and replacing Rees-Zammit.
Cuthbert is poised to win his 50th cap, being rewarded for an impressive showing in the 20-17 success against Scotland.
Rees-Zammit is one of the most exciting players in European rugby, scoring four tries during last season's Six Nations and being picked for the British and Irish Lions' South Africa tour.
The 21-year-old has carved out a reputation for scoring dazzling solo tries, which he underlined with a breathtaking touchdown against Fiji during this season's Autumn Nations Series.
Players with English clubs are released back to them if they are not involved in a Wales match-day 23.
Pivac names his Wales team on Thursday.
England v Wales U20s teams
Injuries have forced Wales U20s coach Byron Hayward into making changes for Friday’s Six Nations clash with England at Doncaster’s Castle Park (7pm kick-off).
Hooker Efan Daniel and lock Ryan Woodman are both crocked, so Ealing’s Morgan Veness makes his first start in the front row, with Joe Peard returning to the boiler house.
In further changes, Morgan Lloyd comes in at scrum-half, having impressed off the bench in the 26-13 bonus-point victory over Scotland, while Iestyn Hopkins makes his debut at full-back, with Cameron Winnett moving to the wing.
England show eight changes to the side that lost 6-0 out in Treviso a couple of weeks ago, with Harlequins prop Fin Baxter continuing as captain.
England U20s: Henry Arundell; Deago Bailey, Jacob Cusick, Ethan Grayson, Cassius Cleaves; Jamie Benson, Sam Edwards; Fin Baxter, Finn Theobald-Thomas, Will Hobson, Charlie Rice, Alfie Bell, Chandler Cunningham-South, Toby Knight, Emeka Ilione.
Replacements: Joe Vajner, Archie McArthur, Mike Summerfield, Lewis Chessum, Kofi Cripps, Matty Jones, Louie Johnson, Rekeiti Ma’asi White.
Wales U20s: 15. Iestyn Hopkins (Ospreys); 14. Cameron Winnett (Cardiff), 13. Eddie James (Scarlets), 12. Joe Hawkins (Ospreys), 11. Harri Houston (Ospreys); 10. Jac Lloyd (Bristol), 9. Morgan Lloyd (Dragons); 1. Rhys Barrett (Cardiff Met), 2. Morgan Veness (Ealing Trailfinders), 3. Adam Williams (Dragons), 4. Benji Williams (Ospreys), 5. Joe Peard (Dragons), 6. Tom Cowan (Bath), 7. Alex Mann (Cardiff, capt), 8. Ethan Frackrell (Cardiff).
Replacements: 16. Connor Chapman (Dragons), 17. Joe Cowell (Cardiff Met), 18. Nathan Evans (Cardiff), 19. Lewis Jones (Ospreys), 20. Morgan Morse (Ospreys), 21. Archie Hughes (Scarlets), 22. Dan Edwards (Ospreys), 23. Joe Westwood (Dragons).
Scotland look for home comforts
Chris Harris is hoping Scotland can draw on home comforts as they bid to get their Guinness Six Nations campaign back on track against France this weekend.
Gregor Townsend's side have won five of their last six matches at BT Murrayfield, with world champions South Africa the only side to win in Edinburgh in that period.
Harris explained that the whole experience of playing at home is a thrill for the Scotland players, particularly now that supporters are back, and he hopes they can continue turning the national stadium into something of a fortress when the red-hot French visit on Saturday.
"Playing in front of a packed-out Murrayfield is awesome, it gives you a big lift," said the Gloucester centre.
"You look forward to that journey in and all that sort of stuff. It definitely gives you that little bit of extra oomph to make sure we're on it, that we perform and put on a show for everyone watching.
"It just gives you that bit of pride. It's home, it's our patch. We don't want to be an easy team to roll over and beat at home.
"We've won five of the last six there. That's pretty good so hopefully we can get another win this week to make it six (out of seven)."
Harris is expecting a formidable test from a France side who beat New Zealand in November and have won both their Six Nations
World Rugby make key appointment
World Rugby has announced that Sally Horrox will join the organisation as Director of Women’s Rugby in early May.
The announcement comes ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2021 Final Qualification Tournament decider in Dubai on Friday when Colombia will play Scotland for the 12th and final place at the showcase event in New Zealand later this year.
Horrox will bring with her an impressive wealth of management and board level experience in sport and business and will be responsible for World Rugby’s transformational Women in Rugby 2017-25 plan, which was refreshed in late 2021 after huge initial success.
Horrox has a proven track record in transforming women’s sports. A former non-executive director of England Netball, adviser to UEFA, international football federations and The FA, she has played a leading role in the success of the Vitality Netball Super League and the FA Women’s Super League, with her deep sport, commercial, legal insights and knowledge.
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