These are your rugby evening headlines on Thursday, March 17.
Wales scrum-half cover called in
Dragons scrum-half Rhodri Williams has been called up to the Wales squad as No. 9 cover for the Six Nations finale against Italy. Gareth Davies starts this Saturday's game and Kieran Hardy is on the bench, but travelling reserves are also required.
That has led to Williams being called in to replace his injured Cardiff Rugby namesake Tomos. The Welsh Rugby Union said he has been released to his region as he continues his graduated return-to-play protocol after concussion against France.
Read more: Gwyn Jones baffled by difference in fitness levels between Wales and regions
Star Russell axed by Scotland
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend insists he would prefer to focus on why he selected Blair Kinghorn to start at stand-off rather than the demotion of talisman Finn Russell to the bench for Saturday's Six Nations clash in Ireland.
The Racing 92 No. 10 has not been at his brilliant best in this year's tournament but eyebrows have been raised by the decision to replace him for a formidable trip to Dublin with 25-year-old Edinburgh player Kinghorn, who has made only one start for the national team.
Asked what Russell has done to merit being one of only two players to drop out from the side that started last weekend's bonus-point win away to Italy, Townsend said: "I'd prefer to focus on what Blair has done and how well he's played and how he's deserved his opportunity, which he certainly has with his performances throughout the season.
"We see this as an opportunity for Blair. He's been in really good form. He wasn't available for our match (in Rome) last week (due to personal reasons) but the week before that he played his best game of the season against Connacht. He's come on twice off the bench and shown what he can do in that jersey."
Asked how Russell reacted to the news that he will not be starting in Dublin, Townsend said: "OK, yeah, fine. Like any conversation when you give someone news that they're not starting, they're initially disappointed but they support the team. Finn will support Blair, as he has done this week."
Townsend seemed reluctant for the focus to be on Russell's omission and dismissed the suggestion that his decision should be viewed as a risk.
"Every selection is an opportunity," said Townsend, who has restored Jonny Gray in place of his Exeter colleague Sam Skinner in the second row. "There is no exact science. Like any game, you put a lot of thought into it and put out the team you believe is going to give you the best chance of winning. It's about what you feel is right based on training and games."
Wales 'can't be loose against Italy'
While Wales' hopes of a successful Six Nations title defence are long gone, they could finish third by claiming a bonus-point victory over Italy and hope that results involving England and Scotland go their way.
They have beaten Italy 16 times in succession, while the Azzurri last won a Six Nations game seven years ago, losing 36 Tests on the bounce.
"We've got to be disciplined and really accurate in our performance," Wales attack coach Stephen Jones said. "What we have got to do is implement our style of play and patterns. We can't be loose in any manner, because Italy will love that and they will capitalise and put us under pressure.
"I am glad that people expect from us. That's a great thing. We want to make sure we play a style of rugby that suits us, which is effective, but efficient as well." You can see what Jones had to say about Wales' misfiring attack here.
Wales award latest semi-pro contract
Wales and Gloucester-Hartpury outside-half Lleucu George has become the 24th player to be awarded a WRU contract ahead of the Women's Six Nations and completes a dozen-strong cohort who are part-time professionals.
The news was announced after Wales Women named their Six Nations squad on Thursday ahead of their opener away to Ireland on Saturday, March 26. Three more retainer contracts are in discussion. Read more on Wales' full squad and Six Nations fixtures here.
The back's attributes, especially her kicking abilities, have turned heads in the Allianz Premier 15s this season and have resulted in a Wales Six Nations call-up and contract in one hit after missing out on autumn squad selection following ankle injuries.
Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham said of the player who made her Wales debut aged 17 at the 2017 Rugby World Cup: "Her skills and potential are huge and with the Rugby World Cup around the corner, the additional contact time will help her to progress on all levels."
The former Crymych and Whitland Ladies player, who holds a coaching role with Cardiff Met Women, said: "It’s amazing, I really wasn’t really expecting it. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to have more contact time with the other players and coaches developing my game at this level. Rugby is what I’ve always wanted to do. I fell in love with it straight away, you always want to play at highest possible standard so I’m really happy I’ve got this opportunity."
England spring surprise with team v France
England have sprung a surprise in their bid to deny France the Grand Slam by naming Freddie Steward on the wing and George Furbank at full-back for the climax to the tournament. Steward fills the vacancy in the number 14 jersey created by Max Malins being dropped while Furbank will patrol the backfield at the Stade de France on Saturday in his first appearance of the Championship.
The final change to the backline sees Ben Youngs, England's most capped player, come in for Harry Randall at scrum-half where he will partner Marcus Smith. There are three new faces in the pack with Kyle Sinckler recovering from the concussion sustained against Ireland yet being limited to a bench role as support for the starting Will Stuart.
Charlie Ewels' red card in the 32-15 defeat in round four means Nick Isiekwe makes his third start of the Six Nations in the second row while Sam Underhill replaces hamstring-injury victim Tom Curry at openside. Joe Launchbury has failed to secure a spot among the replacements despite making his comeback from knee surgery against Ireland, instead Eddie Jones has opted for Ollie Chessum as lock cover.
England are playing for third place only after falling to Scotland and Andy Farrell's men, but could finish as low as fifth if France prevail and other results go against them.
"We have focused on refreshing the team this week and we are ready to empty the tank on Saturday," said Jones.
Trio recalled as Ireland target Dublin win
Iain Henderson, Jack Conan and Mack Hansen have been restored to Ireland's starting XV for Saturday's clash with Scotland in Dublin. Lock Henderson takes the place of head injury victim James Ryan, while Conan is preferred to Peter O'Mahony in the back row and Hansen comes in for Andrew Conway on the right wing.
Ulster captain Henderson, who has been handed his first start of this year's championship, played 78 minutes of last weekend's 32-15 win over 14-man England after vice-captain Ryan was forced off by the challenge which led to Charlie Ewels' early red card. With Ryan unavailable due to concussion protocols, Kieran Treadwell - who was on the scoresheet in the round-three win over Italy - will provide second-row cover from the bench.
Conan regains a starting role following two games as a replacement on the back of his try-scoring cameo helping the Irish to victory at Twickenham. He will begin at number eight, pushing Caelan Doris to blindside flanker, with O'Mahony dropping to the bench.
The Irish retain hope of the championship title but are reliant on a favour from England against Grand Slam-chasing France in Saturday's evening kick-off in Paris.
