These are your morning headlines from the world of rugby on Tuesday, March 1.
World Rugby has no plans to change controversial law
World Rugby has no plans to change the game's laws that saw the match between Ireland and Italy descend into a farce on Sunday.
Epalahame Faiva was sent off in the opening quarter of the Six Nations match in Dublin.
He had only been on the field 10 minutes after replacing the injured Gianmarco Lucceshi, before seeing red for a dangerous tackle on Dan Sheehan.
The Italians had no front-rower left capable of playing hooker and the game was forced to move to uncontested scrums as result.
But, under rugby's laws, moving to uncontested scrums because of a red card means a team must be reduced to 13 players and another front-rower brought on.
The ruling is in place to prevent teams from abusing the laws, and assuring uncontested scrums whenever they want.
And the sport's governing body said there are no plans to review the current law in place.
"It’s an unfortunate chain of circumstances that is incredibly rare," spokesperson Dominic Rumbles told RTE Sport.
"A specialist player is injured and then the replacement is red-carded, which is avoidable. On top of that, Italy didn’t submit on the team-sheet any suitably qualified hookers to cover.
"Sometimes a team might have another player, maybe a back row who used to be a hooker, to be able to safely play there. They obviously run the risk by not doing that."
We must be relentless - Tompkins
Wales centre Nick Tompkins says they need to be "relentless" in games after coming up short against England.
Wayne Pivac's side gave themselves a mountain to climb at Twickenham last Saturday, being 17-0 down at the break after a poor first half in south west London.
A marked improvement was seen in the second period, but Tompkins, who was outstanding throughout, says that although there were positives to take from the defeat, Wales must up their game in terms of their consistency.
“I think we took care of the ball," he said.
"We got set and worked hard and executed. It clicked quite well. It shows the creativity of what some of the boys can do. Some of the passing from Tomos (Williams) and some of the boys who came on was top-class. It shows when it clicks what we can do.
“We need to be more consistent. It can’t just be a 10-minute spell, you can’t just be a flash in the pan, you need to be consistently relentless on teams. Whatever that is - looking after the ball, decision-making, work-rate - I think we have those, but we need to be relentless with it, I think."
It's France up next in Cardiff for Wales and Tompkins, who says the desire to get going again is already simmering away nicely.
“I think it is going to be absolutely buzzing," he said of the Friday night fixture.
"It is going to be really good, and I am very much looking forward to it. I am excited about it.”
Warburton: Faletau has proved people wrong
Sam Warburton has revealed how Taulupe Faletau was able to produce a superb 80-minute performance against England despite having been on the sidelines for more than a year.
The Cardiff-bound player had only completed one-and-a-half club games for Bath before being thrust right into the heat of battle at Twickenham.
And he didn't disappoint, going full pelt deep into the game against England.
Warburton, speaking on the BBC's Rugby Union Daily podcast, said Faletau's natural ability sets him apart and puts him in the world class category.
"In my generation of player, without doubt, you've got Taulupe, Kieran Read, Sergio Parisse and Duane Vermeulen," Warburton said.
"Those four are just head and shoulders above any eight that we've seen, who have consistently played well.
"I remember being in a coaches' meeting when I had a quick stint with the national team and Taulupe was coming back from injury.
"They were talking about putting Taulupe back in and Neil Jenkins said: 'He is one of the very few players I know who can be injured and come straight back into international rugby and do a job'.
"That's why they picked him, because they know him. They knew he'd deliver.
"I would need at least three or four club games. I don't have that natural ability.
"The back row was myself, Dan Lydiate and Taulupe when we did OK together.
"Rob Howley would be telling us what to do: 'Sam here, Dan Lyds here in attack and defence'.
"He said: 'If you're wondering why I never talk to Toby, it's because we never tell him what to do, we just tell him to play'.
"You can't clog him up. He naturally drops into the backfield at the right time, he knows when to be a front line runner, when to drop into the wide channels, when to compete at breakdowns.
"He's one of those naturally smart rugby players.
"He is one of our genuine world-class players and I think he proved to a lot of people that he's not done yet."
Russia and Belarus suspended by World Rugby
Russia have been suspended by World Rugby.
In line with the recommendations put forward by the International Olympic Committee, rugby governing body have placed sanctions on Russia, as well as Belarus for facilitating the attack.
Both nations are suspended “from all international and cross-border club rugby activities until further notice."
The Russian Rugby Union has also lost its World Rugby membership.
“World Rugby reiterates its condemnation of Russia’s aggressive invasion of Ukraine and the facilitation of this action by Belarus,” World Rugby’s statement reads.
“The global rugby family is united in standing in solidarity with everyone affected by these deeply disturbing events and joins the global community in calling for the restoration of peace.
“The World Rugby Executive Committee has today decided to take immediate additional steps to protect the rugby family and take a strong stance against the conflict in line with recommendations by the IOC:
- The full and immediate suspension of Russia and Belarus from all international rugby and cross-border club rugby activities until further notice
- The full and immediate suspension of the Rugby Union of Russia from World Rugby membership until further notice
“The decision has been taken with the interests of rugby’s values of solidarity, integrity and respect at heart.
“World Rugby also remains in contact with colleagues at the Ukraine Rugby Federation and has pledged its full support to the rugby community in the country.”
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