Here are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, February 11.
Wales finally get good news
Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau will finally play rugby again this weekend, 196 days since his last match.
The Lions star plays for Bath in the Gallagher Premiership game against Wasps on Saturday.
The 31-year-old has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury during the British and Irish Lions' South Africa tour last summer.
He played no part in Wales' Autumn Nations Series campaign earlier this season and was not considered for the Guinness Six Nations squad.
Faletau has been among a number of injured Lions unavailable to Wales head coach Wayne Pivac, alongside the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, George North, Ken Owens and Justin Tipuric.
But the 86 times-capped forward, who will join Cardiff next term, could find himself summoned by Pivac if his return to domestic action goes well.
Faletau starts at blindside flanker against Wasps in Coventry, and Bath head coach Neal Hatley said: "It is fantastic to have Taulupe back in our starting line-up.
"He has worked so hard on his rehabilitation with the support of our medical team, and we are all excited for him to run out in blue, black and white this weekend.
"He brings a wealth of experience and his presence - as well as his role in managing our game - will have a huge impact on our team."
Wales international leaves Dragons
The Dragons have announced scrum-half Tavis Knoyle has left the region with immediate effect.
The 31-year-old Wales international's contract was due to expire at the end of the season, but he's pulled the plug early after first moving to Rodney Parade in 2016. He made 61 appearances for the Men of Gwent over five and a half seasons.
The region said: "Dragons would like to place on record our thanks to Tavis for his efforts during this time at the region and wish him and his family all the best for the future."
Knoyle, who has won 11 Wales caps, also runs his own gym business.
The Dragons have confirmed scrum-half Lewis Jones will remain with the region until at least the end of the current season. He had been on loan from Cardiff but has now left the capital region.
Hogg's favourite stadium
Stuart Hogg has described the Principality Stadium as his favourite rugby venue outside Murrayfield as he prepares to lead his Scotland colleagues into a Cardiff cauldron.
The Scots are buoyed by memories of long-awaited victories away to both England and France in last year's Six Nations as they go in search of their first triumph in the Welsh capital since 2002 this Saturday.
Captain Hogg, who has friends and family members making the journey from his home town of Hawick, is relishing the latest instalment of one of his most eagerly-anticipated fixtures.
"This will be completely different to our trips to Twickenham and Stade de France," he said. "I say that because we went to those two venues last year with nobody watching.
"We're going to one of the most hostile venues in world rugby, a venue I've told the boys this week that 'if you haven't been fortunate enough to play here yet, you're going to get your eyes opened'.
"It's one hell of an atmosphere. It's a great place to play rugby. The Welsh absolutely love supporting their team. It's a quality venue, absolutely incredible.
"For me personally, outside of BT Murrayfield, it's the best place to play rugby. I made my debut here a long time ago and every time I get the opportunity to come down to Wales, I love the whole weekend.
"A hell of a lot of Scottish people come down, I know personally there are about four or five busloads and a huge amount of cars making their way down from Hawick. It's a very special weekend that everybody looks forward to.
"Wales v Scotland is a huge fixture. For me to get the opportunity to represent Scotland in one of the world's best stadiums is quality. But we're here to do a job and that's the sole focus."
England make mass changes
England have made sweeping changes for Sunday's Guinness Six Nations showdown with Italy led by Harry Randall replacing Ben Youngs at scrum-half.
Over half the team that fell to a 20-17 Calcutta Cup defeat by Scotland in round one have been removed from the starting XV or changed position as they head for Rome with the aim of avoiding any further setbacks.
Randall, an electric runner with an eye for space, makes his third start for his country and will be given the task of raising the tempo against Italy, who have lost their previous 33 matches in the tournament dating back to 2015.
Demoted to the bench, Youngs must hope to equal Jason Leonard's England cap record of 114 as a replacement knowing he can then surpass the milestone against Wales at Twickenham on February 26.
"We've been really pleased with Harry. Ben started for us against Scotland last weekend and we've just reversed the roles," head coach Eddie Jones said.
"Harry's a livewire half-back, he's very good in broken play. He's got a good solid pass on him and his kicking game is improving."
Jones has challenged his side to "light up Rome" and they will attempt to fulfil his wishes with a new centre combination after Joe Marchant was switched from the left wing to 13, forcing Elliot Daly on to the bench.
Jack Nowell follows up his brief cameo in Edinburgh by filling the vacancy on the wing as his comeback from a terrible run of injuries gathers pace.
England team to play Italy on Sunday
F Steward (Leicester Tigers); M Malins (Saracens), J Marchant (Harlequins), H Slade (Exeter Chiefs), J Nowell (Exeter Chiefs); M Smith (Harlequins), H Randall (Bristol Bears); E Genge (Leicester Tigers), J George (Saracens), W Stuart (Bath Rugby), C Ewels (Bath Rugby), N Isiekwe (Saracens), M Itoje (Saracens), T Curry (Sale Sharks, capt), A Dombrandt (Harlequins).
Replacements: L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), J Marler (Harlequins), K Sinckler (Bristol Bears), O Chessum (Leicester Tigers), S Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers), G Ford (Leicester Tigers), E Daly (Saracens).
Italy drop Negri
Italy have dropped flanker Sebastian Negri as one of three changes for their Guinness Six Nations match against England in Rome on Sunday.
Negri was the most effective carrier in the Azzurri's pack against France in round one but he is demoted to the bench in favour of South African-born Braam Steyn.
Negri was responsible for the 'crocodile roll' on Jack Willis in the same fixture last year and the Wasps flanker has been unable to play since because of the knee damage sustained.
Bordeaux's Federico Mori replaces Tommaso Menoncello on the right wing while tighthead prop Pietro Ceccarelli comes in for Tiziano Pasquali.
Italy are playing to avoid a 34th successive Six Nations defeat in a run that dates back to 2015.
Italy team: E Padovani; F Mori, J Ignacio Brex, M Zanon, M Ioane; P Garbisi, S Varney; D Fischetti, G Lucchesi, P Ceccarelli, N Cannone, F Ruzza, B Steyn, M Lamaro (capt), T Halafihi.
Replacements: E Faiva, C Traore, T Pasquali, D Sisi, S Negri, G Pettinelli, A Fusco, L Marin.
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