Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby headlines for Friday, February 4.
Moore reveals reason behind BBC exit
Brian Moore has revealed the reason he will no longer be commentating on the men's Six Nations after this weekend.
Moore is a victim of the new BBC and ITV deal to continue hosting the Championship that sees twice as many games shown on ITV than BBC.
Significantly, the BBC only has rights to Wales and Scotland's home matches, meaning it's been hard to find space going forward.
Moore explained in his Telegraph newspaper column : "It’s going to be an emotional day for me because, after about two decades of co-commentating on men’s Six Nations matches, Saturday’s will be my final one.
"I am sad about it, but that’s the way it goes. It’s a consequence of the way the rights have fallen. With the recent broadcast deal announcement, and the BBC getting fewer games, and none of England’s home ones - plus any number of commentators and presenters to accommodate - it’s not easy.
"I can understand it. The BBC has a regional remit. So when they’ve got Scotland and Wales home games people want to hear from a local co-commentator."
Jonathan 'Jiffy' Davies, Chris Paterson, Andy Nicol and Dylan Hartley are the other co-commentators the BBC will use this year.
Pivac excited by developing leaders
Wales boss Wayne Pivac says he's excited with the development he has seen in the younger players in his squad.
There will be over 700 caps missing this weekend due to injury and, as such, Pivac has been forced to name a relatively inexperienced side.
But he says there has been a noticeable change in training, where these younger players are beginning to find their feet in the international environment.
"It's interesting to watch the growth in individuals. We're talking about some legends of the game [in Ken Owens and Alun Wyn Jones] and there's a few others who aren't there as well.
"Players who have come in, Taine Basham for Justin Tipuric, they're just blossoming. They're sort of coming out from behind the shadows if you like. Self-belief is a big thing and these boys are starting to believe in themselves.
"You can see that training with the chatter they bring, it's a lot more aggressive than it used to be.
"They're not just followers, they're becoming leaders, and that's exactly what we want - a squad full of potential leaders."
Beard's message for new kid
Wales vice-captain Adam Beard has a message for debutant Dewi Lake ahead of the opening Six Nations match against Ireland.
Pivac is a known admirer of Lake's and couldn't wait to get him straight into the matchday 23 at the earliest opportunity.
The young Ospreys hooker has just battled back from injury and only has two games under his belt but Pivac has enjoyed seeing Lake's destructive traits in the loose.
But the glaring issue in his game at the moment would be the lineout and Ireland are a side that will really apply the pressure there.
Beard, though, who calls the lineouts for both Wales and the Ospreys, hopes the relationship they have forged at regional level will help when Lake comes off the bench in Dublin.
“I suppose you could look at it in a beneficial way," admitted Beard. "We obviously work together at the Ospreys, but Dewi needs to keep his cool because he’s a quality young player who has done very well to get back from injury to put himself in this position.
“As long as he does his stuff around the park because we know he’s a physical specimen then the confidence will come with the lineout. The relationship we’ll have will hopefully go in his favour.”
Beard added: "He’s still a young man and has probably got a lot of development within his game.
“You can see that he’s definitely that physical raw player. He’s got some good leadership skills.
“He was captain of the under 20s team, and you could see for a young man that he talks very well, and he’s got a good presence about him. As long as he keeps grounded, keeps working hard, I’m sure he’ll have a good career in the test arena.”
Jackman says Irish front five hold key success
Bernard Jackman says Ireland must show the confidence to take the game to Wales on Saturday, and believes their front five are likely to hold the key any possible success.
The former Dragons head coach believes the front row of Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, along with Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan behind them, could offer be the launchpad for an Irish victory.
"The area we need to target is the front five. Even though they have Adam Beard, I’m not sure Will Rowlands is a top end international lock," he told RTÉ’s Game On.
"Ryan Elias (hooker) wouldn’t be as good as Ken Owens. Tomas Francis’ form isn’t as good as when he was at Exeter Chiefs and while Wyn Jones is a British and Irish Lion, I think Ireland’s front five, collectively, have to do a number on them."
Townsend dismisses favourites tag ahead of Calcutta Cup clash
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has dismissed suggestions from Eddie Jones that his side are favourites for Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash with England at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The Scots return to Edinburgh having beaten England at Twickenham last February, and Jones has insisted that all the expectations are currently on Townsend's men heading into this Six Nations contest.
But while optimistic about his side's chances, he says England will still be the favourites with many bookmakers.
"Every coach does this little song and dance going into a game trying to convince the media they are underdogs and telling the players their backs are against the wall, 'we're going to this hostile place'," he said.
"The bookies pick the favourites and I know we're not the favourites with them.
"It's not really something we talk about or worry about. The reason we're being spoken about like that is because our players have driven the standards in training and have gone through experiences - not always pleasant - that have made them better and brought them closer together as a group.
"We have our own expectations, which is to deliver performances that we're capable of. In last year's Six Nations, three games stood out for us where we were close to our best: England, Italy and France. The aim for us is to try to do that in five games."
Former Lions captain Kiernan dies aged 83
Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions captain Tom Kiernan has passed away at the age of 83, the Irish Rugby Football Union has announced.
Kiernan earned 54 caps for Ireland between 1960 and 1973, and also appeared five times for the Lions across the 1962 and 1968 tours to South Africa, taking the captaincy on the latter.
When he retired, the Cork-born full-back was Ireland's most-capped player and record points scorer with 158.
He also captained his team 24 times.
IRFU president Des Kavanagh said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that I pass on condolences to the Kiernan family, on the passing of their beloved Tom, on behalf of everyone in Irish rugby.
"Tom was an inspirational leader both on and off the pitch and he helped to shape rugby into the strong and vibrant game it is today.
"Tom's life will be reflected upon at our matches this weekend, and his legacy will live long in the history of Irish rugby, may he rest in peace."
Kiernan kicked the winning score the first time Ireland beat South Africa, in 1965, and captained the first Irish team to win a Test in Australia two years later.
At club level, he represented Cork Constitution, Munster and University College Cork with distinction.
After hanging up his boots, he was in charge of the Munster team which recorded victory over New Zealand in 1978 and went on to coach Ireland between 1980 and 1983, including winning the Five Nations title in 1982.
Roberts ready to go as Super Rugby gears up for curtain-raiser
Jamie Roberts says he can't wait make get going with the NSW Waratahs after completing a surprise move to Super Rugby last month.
The 35-year-old has already declared himself fit for the start of the 2022 season, which kicks off later this month.
“That’s one thing that’s been beneficial, I’m mid-season,” Roberts told media on Thursday.
“These lads are obviously at the latter end of a pre-season, but I come in match fit and match ready. It’s just about getting over the jetlag, getting my legs moving and I’ll be ready to go.
“I will see if coach wants to involve me over the next few weeks. I am certainly under no illusions it’s going to be a hell of a job for me to break into this side, there’s a lot of quality, but that’s what I’m striving to do.”
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