Here are the latest rugby headlines on Saturday, March 26.
Italy targeted Wales amid Alun Wyn and Biggar 'party'
Outside-half Paolo Garbisi has revealed Italy sensed Wales were there for the taking in the days before last weekend's Six Nations finale.
Garbisi, who kicked the match-winning conversion before collapsing in tears, told The Times Italy believed the fact Dan Biggar and Alun Wyn Jones were reaching milestones would work in their favour. So it proved, as Jones' 150th cap and Biggar's 100th ended in disaster.
Head coach Kieran Crowley had put an emphasis on performance throughout the Championship, but Garbisi says that changed in the build-up to the Wales game as the squad sensed they had a chance. Wayne Pivac made seven changes to his side, announcing it two days earlier than usual and bringing Jones straight back into the side on his big day.
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“In this Six Nations, we have always focused on performance and our process; what we need to do to put us on the path towards the right result,” Garbisi said.
“With this game, we thought it was the right time to talk about the result, to talk about what might be possible in terms of a win. We knew that for Wales it would be a kind of party, with Biggar reaching 100 caps, and Alun Wyn Jones reaching 150. But we also knew that this thing could become something negative for them if the game was tight. It could become a pressure for them, and something positive for us.
“We wanted to turn that to our advantage so before the game, the word ‘victory’ was definitely used.”
Scarlets finally win on road
The Scarlets claimed their first away win of the season as they defeated United Rugby Championship opponents Zebre Parma 41-24 at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
The Welsh side built a victory platform through first-half tries from Corey Baldwin, his fellow wing Ryan Conbeer and full-back Johnny McNicholl.
Lock Sam Lousi added a bonus-point score early in the second period, before flanker Tomas Lezana and substitute Carwyn Tuipulotu also crossed, while fly-half Rhys Patchell kicked a penalty and three conversions, and his replacement Sam Costelow added a two-pointer.
Zebre slumped to a 12th successive URC defeat this term, with their only highlights provided by fly-half Carlo Canna, full-back Michelangelo Biondelli and wing Giovanni D'Onofrio claiming tries. Canna landed a penalty and conversion, and Biondelli and Antonio Rizzi kicked two points apiece.
You can follow Cardiff v Glasgow Warriors live here.
Concern for Beauden Barrett
There are concerns for All Blacks star Beauden Barrett after he suffered a head injury just weeks after revealing he feared his career could be over because of the lasting effects of a concussion in the autumn.
The 30-year-old took a heavy knock to the head in the 41st minute of the Highlanders v Blues match, as Highlanders midfielder Fetuli Paea thundered into him.
Barrett initially stayed down after the incident before being taken off for a HIA and failing to return.
The double world player of the year winner was sidelined in November after taking a blow to the face during an attempted tackle on Ireland's Andrew Conway.
The incident resulted in a nasty concussion, and the symptoms were so severe that the 30-year-old admits he considered hanging up his boots.
He told French publication, XV Mondial : “For two weeks, things have been much better. But throughout the off-season, I had migraines, 80 to 90 per cent of the time. Today, it tends to fade, they have become rarer.
“I will gradually resume contact training, I hope to play again in three weeks against the Chiefs. I thought it might be the end of my career. When you feel sluggish 99 per cent of the day, trying several ways to get better, but nothing works, you assume the worst."
Following the latest incident, concussion lobby group Progressive Rugby said: "Got to be significant concern in New Zealand after Beauden Barrett comes off with concussion during 32-25 victory over Highlanders. Just 2 weeks ago Barrett said he feared his career was over due to an 'extremely challenging' concussion recovery. Wishing Beauden all the best."
England thrash Scotland
A Marlie Packer hat-trick helped England begin their TiKTok Women's Six Nations campaign with a 57-5 thrashing of Scotland.
Simon Middleton's side extended their remarkable winning streak to 19 matches after a nine-try triumph over their rivals in Edinburgh.
Playing in the shadows of Murrayfield, Packer got the ball rolling for England and they went on to comfortably secure a bonus-point victory to start their pursuit of another Grand Slam title.
It took nine minutes for the defending champions to go over for the first time through Packer and Emily Scarratt kicked the conversion on her Test return after a broken leg last year.
Scarratt would play 58 minutes and finish with a 10-point haul after England went over six times in the opening half.
Packer claimed a first-half double with Poppy Cleall, Heather Cowell, Abby Dow and Leanne Infante also touching down to make it 38-5 at the break.
Holly Aitchison and Connie Powell added further tries after the restart before prop Packer secured a personal treble after some assistance from the TMO.
Scotland suffered a heavy loss to their old foes but the score only told half the story, with Chloe Rollie's early try able to give the home crowd something to shout about while a knock-on denied Rachel McLachlan a further effort in an overall display that showed they can build on last season's fifth-place finish.
You can follow Ireland v Wales live here
