Your rugby morning headlines for Tuesday, January 18.
Pivac names his Six Nations squad
Wayne Pivac will today reveal his hand for Wales' defence of their Six Nations title.
The Welsh coach names his squad for the upcoming tournament this morning, with some intriguing decisions looming.
Among them will be who Pivac opts for as Wales' new captain in the absence of the injured Alun Wyn Jones, who misses tournament after shoulder surgery.
READ MORE: Pivac's final selection dilemmas
Justin Tipuric was originally tipped as Alun Wyn's successor for the 2022 showpiece, but there are major doubts about his own fitness for the opening game with Ireland on February 5.
A host of other experienced players and captaincy contenders are also on the injured list and it remains to be seen whether Pivac names them today, or opts to bring them back in as the tournament unfolds.
It seems Ellis Jenkins, Jonathan Davies and Dan Biggar are the captaincy candidates.
Wales start with Ireland away and Scotland at home, before a big February 26 date with England at Twickenham. They then wind up with March Principality Stadium clashes against France and Italy
Among the big guns likely to be absent from the start is Tipuric's back-row colleague Taulupe Faletau. He is expected to be included in this morning's squad announcement by Pivac, but might not be fit until the England showdown.
Pivac also has a big call to make at fly-half, having chosen Dan Biggar, Gareth Anscombe, Rhys Priestland and Callum Sheedy for the autumn Tests.
One of that quartet is likely to miss out this time, with only three 10s ichosen.
England go for Farrell again
England boss Eddie Jones will instantly hand the Six Nations captaincy back to Owen Farrell despite the 30-year-old not playing any rugby since November, reckon the Mail.
New star Marcus Smith is likely to be England's 10 during the tournament, but Farrell will come straight back into the squad for their opener with Scotland at Murrayfield on February 5 despite his lack of fitness, reckon the paper.
Farrell has not played any rugby since undergoing surgery on an ankle injury sustained during the clash with Australia at in the autumn.
Lions star Courtney Lawes stood in as captain, leading England to victories over South Africa and Tonga.
However, despite his lack of game time and fitness, Farrell is expected to return to the fold, although he will need to prove he is ready by playing for Saracens before the tournament kick-off.
Ireland star out after op
Ireland speedster Jacob Stockdale is looking at an extended spell on the sidelines after having an operation on his ankle.
The procedure will certainly rule him out of the Six Nations and could bring his season to an end.
"It’s been a really frustrating couple of months for me with this ankle as nothing has seemed to go right with it," Stockdale posted on social media.
"Glad to have gotten the op now and hopefully puts me on the right track back to recovery! I’m gutted this probably means the end of my season but gives me an opportunity to come back fitter and stronger."
Scarlets newcomer voted fan favourite
Incoming Scarlets forward Vaea Fifita has been voted as Wasps' top newcomer so far this season by the club's fans.
A poll run by our sister site, Coventry Live, saw the All Black take 39% of the vote, with next best Elliot Stooke snaffling 29%.
Fifita has turned in some eye-catching performances for Wasps this term and the prospect of him rocking up at Parc y Scarlets next season had fans down west drooling.
It has been widely reported that back-rower, who can operate at lock, will be joining Dwayne Peel's side next term and it looks like he'd be a handy addition.
'Rugby is nothing without the fans'
Wales star Josh Adams has insisted that 'rugby is nothing without fans' after his Cardiff side lost narrowly to Harlequins last weekend.
The Blue and Blacks were desperately close to claiming a superb victory over the English champions, only for Marcus Smith to snatch victory with the last kick of the game.
It was an enthralling encounter that, unfortunately, took place behind closed doors due to Covid-19 restrictions in Wales.
"I'm sure it would have been one of the biggest gates of the season here. Friday night, English champions in town," said Adams.
"I'm just thankful that, with the restriction getting lifted, from next weekend we can welcome as many supporters as well like.
"It will be brilliant to have everybody back. Rugby is nothing without supporters.
"Who knows, if there was 10,000 fans in here tonight, they might have given us that extra bit of energy, that extra push to win that game."
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