These are your rugby headlines on Monday, February 21.
Faletau says he's ready
Taulupe Faletau is thought to be on the verge of a Guinness Six Nations call-up as Wales prepare for Saturday's Twickenham clash against England.
Faletau underlined his match fitness by playing the whole game in Bath's 24-20 Gallagher Premiership loss to leaders Leicester.
It followed an hour-long comeback against Wasps the previous week after seven months out with an ankle injury.
The Bath back-row forward won the last of his 86 Wales caps almost a year ago, but he looks primed for an international return ahead of remaining Six Nations appointments with England, France and Italy.
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac is currently without the likes of Faletau's fellow British and Irish Lions Alun Wyn Jones, George North, Ken Owens and Justin Tipuric through injuries.
So Faletau potentially putting himself back in the selection picture is a major boost for the defending Six Nations champions, who revived their title challenge with victory over Scotland last time out.
Before the Wasps game, Faletau had been sidelined since going on as a replacement during the Lions' second Test defeat against South Africa in Cape Town last summer.
"It was a rolled ankle, and I probably ran back too early and just had issues with my calves for a rolling two weeks that ended up being seven months," he said.
"It was a rolling two weeks for a long time, then I would get to the end of that two weeks, I would run again and it would ping again. It was basically that for the whole time.
"I am just enjoying getting out there, whether it's Bath or Wales. Whatever it is, I just want to enjoy the games because seven months out wasn't fun."
If Faletau is added to the Test squad, he would potentially have a chance of being involved at Twickenham, where Wales have not claimed a Six Nations win for 10 years.
"He (Pivac) has been in contact just to see how I am and if I am playing or not," Faletau added.
"I feel I needed a couple of games, and I've had that. It is up to them. If they call me, then obviously I am not going to say no. We will find out soon, I guess."
Shanklin proposes 'super play-off'
Former Wales international Tom Shanklin has laid out the changes he’d like to see to international rugby tournaments.
Last week saw reports that South Africa were set to join the Six Nations at the expense of Italy - a story Six Nations organisers were extremely quick to deny.
There was an overwhelmingly negative response to the reports of the world champions joining the European competition, and Shanklin believes the Boks don’t belong in the Six Nations and that we are "stuck with Italy".
He also would like to see other countries join an expanded Rugby Championship in the southern hemisphere.
“I don't think they do,” he said, when asked if he thought South Africa belonged in the Six Nations.
“Money can’t buy something. What we’ve got in the northern hemisphere is a magical tournament.
“Italy are in, we are stuck with Italy, they have to remain there.
“There is something nice about going to Rome, it’s part of that magical experience, the away trips and Rome firmly features in that.
“I would like to see the southern hemisphere teams increase their competition.
“Maybe have the likes of Japan, Fiji coming into the Rugby Championship. Then you’ve got six teams there, we’ve got six teams in the northern hemisphere, you could align the seasons and then have super play-off at the end, winners takes all at a neutral venue.”
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Hook: Get in their heads
James Hook believes Wales have an opportunity to exploit England's inexperience at Twickenham this weekend.
The stage is set for a belter on Saturday, with both teams having won one and lost one so far this tournament.
England smashed Italy a week ago, while Wales bounced back from their morale-sapping defeat in Dublin to see off Scotland in Cardiff.
Hook said on Scrum V on Sunday night that for all their quality, England lack a bit of know-how, especially in the half-back department, and sees it as a chance for Wales to make inroads.
"Yeah, I am (impressed)," Hook said, when asked about England's attack in Rome.
"They're in a little transition England themselves, I think with the half-backs, Marcus Smith, Harry Randall as well. Young half-backs. I think we've got to see that as an opportunity, going to Twickenham, even though they are quality players, really good players, we can get in their heads a little bit.
"Get Ross Moriarty, (Taine) Basham, try and hold them down, whispering a few things in their ear, and just try to get in their heads. They are great players, but they are still pretty inexperienced at international level."
Minute's silence for Black
Newcastle Falcons and Exeter Chiefs observed a minute's silence in memory of Steve Black on Sunday.
News of Black's passing emerged on Sunday, with tributes pouring in for the Lions, Wales, Newcastle Falcons and Newcastle United coach.
The Falcons released the following statement: "The jovial Geordie was the spiritual heartbeat of the Falcons from the very early days of professionalism, helping steer Newcastle to the promotion and then the Premiership title at the first attempt.
"Winning multiple domestic cups under his watch, Blackie's unique motivational talents saw him succeeding with the Welsh national team and the British & Irish Lions, as well as with Newcastle United and Sunderland football clubs, and numerous other elite sportspeople.
"Much more than his sporting achievements, Blackie was a friend to all of us - a proud Geordie who understood the value of people, and how to inspire them."
Exeter edged the match 14-15.
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