Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, February 8.
Scotland international questions Wales
Former Scottish international Jim Hamilton has questioned what is going on with Welsh rugby, days before the Wales v Scotland match in Cardiff.
Hamilton pointed out the different directions of travel the Six Nations sides seem to be on right now, and asked where the future stars are coming from.
The former lock, who played 63 times for Scotland, believes Wales simply cannot afford to lose on Saturday.
Speaking on the Rugby Pod he said: "Ireland weren't tested. They're biggest test will be against France this weekend and that is where we'll get a gauge.
"Wales, I'm going to say it, they have to beat Scotland. We have joked about Italy, but if they don't beat Scotland at home where is their next win coming from when you look at it? Where is the next generation of Welsh stars coming from?
"You look at Ireland, the profile of the Scotland team, England are always going to be good, France look phenomenal in terms of what they've got coming through, Italy are getting better with a load of young players.
"Whereas Wales, and I commentate on the URC, what's happening here then?
"You look at people in Wales, and guys like Tom Shanklin who mention it. I don't want to see that. I don't want to see Wales getting humped every week."
Sexton responds to jibe
Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton says he is not surprised to be the target for French mind games this week after Montpellier boss Philippe Saint-André claimed Ireland were better off without him.
Saint-André was asked if Ireland are too dependent on Sexton.
He replied: “Less and less, I find.
“In fact, to be honest, they are maybe better without him.
“I like Ross Byrne, he is capable of exceptional things. Yes, Sexton is an icon, he remains the starter, but Byrne has played more than him this season at Leinster. They have a new generation who are showing up well, who are interesting.”
Sexton was asked about the comments during a Tuesday press conference, saying: “I’m well used to it at this stage, this week of the season.
“France, whether it’s home or away, there’s always something from one direction or another, whether it’s inside the camp or outside the camp. The one you’re referring to is obviously outside the camp.
“You can’t control what people say, you have to do your talking on the pitch. It’s nothing new for me in this fixture to have some things thrown at me that you wouldn’t expect.”
Jones has no regrets
Eddie Jones insisted he had no regrets over the decision to replace Marcus Smith with George Ford at Murrayfield as England's Guinness Six Nations campaign was undermined by a fresh injury blow.
Flanker Lewis Ludlam, one of the shining lights on a bleak afternoon against Scotland, sustained rib cartilage damage in the 20-17 round one defeat and will definitely miss Sunday's clash with Italy.
To compound matters, it appears unlikely that Courtney Lawes will recover from concussion in time for the trip to Rome, but veteran lock Joe Launchbury has been called-up following his lengthy lay-off with a knee problem.
Much of the fallout from Saturday's opener has focused on Jones' call to make an influential change at fly-half where Smith was withdrawn for Ford in the 63rd minute.
England were leading 17-10 at the time and Smith was fresh from scoring a dynamic try and rifling over a penalty, but they unravelled in a final quarter of harmful mismanagement to allow Scotland to retain the Calcutta Cup.
Jones has been heavily criticised since, but the head coach is satisfied it was the right call at the time.
"I'm the best coach in the world with hindsight. I've done a few TV commentaries and I was the smartest coach in the world," Jones said.
"But I made a decision on game day and I don't have any regrets. I'm looking forward to Italy now."
Scots star enjoys best moment of his life
Ben White has described his early try-scoring debut cameo for Scotland as the best 10 minutes of his life.
The 23-year-old London Irish scrum-half, in the squad for the first time, was called into action after just 12 minutes of Saturday's Calcutta Cup match against England when Ali Price had to go off for a head injury assessment.
White enjoyed a dream introduction to international rugby as he scored a try within five minutes of entering the action and then departed the field shortly afterwards when Price was deemed ready to return. It proved a crucial score in a narrow 20-17 victory for the Scots.
"When I came off the pitch and was back sitting on the bench, some of the lads were like 'how was it?' and I was like 'the best 10 minutes of my life!"' said White.
"Getting on like that, so early in the game, was good because it took away the nerves and the anxiety of waiting until the last 20 minutes to get on.
"To be thrown in at the deep end was almost like a good thing because you just go on and do your job. It was an incredible experience. Words can't do it justice. It was absolutely amazing. The stadium was electric, it was incredible."
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Ludlam out for England
England flanker Lewis Ludlam has been ruled out of Sunday's Guinness Six Nations match against Italy by rib cartilage damage.
Head coach Eddie Jones expects Ludlam to recover in time for the visit of Wales to Twickenham on February 26 after sustaining the injury in the Calcutta Cup defeat by Scotland on Saturday.
Veteran second row Joe Launchbury has been called into the squad as cover after overcoming a knee injury.
