Here are the latest rugby headlines on Monday, March 7.
Care slams Wales and says Italy are favourites
England international Danny Care has slated Wales’ performance against England, saying he "could not believe how bad" they performed and claiming that Italy go into this weekend's game as favourites.
Speaking to the Rugby Union Daily podcast, the England international said: "I agree with the bookies, Italy should be favourites against Wales. Wales against England last week, I could not believe how bad Wales were. And I know they've got a lot of stuff going on off field and I completely get that, but that doesn't excuse some of the tactical decisions that they were making."
"It was as if they didn't know what they were doing, as if they hadn't had two weeks prep before that game to just focus on England and look at what England do, to look at how England defend the backfield, to look how England defend, so that you can maybe play quickly at some point, to put some tempo onto the game."
He added: "I couldn't understand what those Wales coaches have done with that Wales team in the last couple of weeks. So understandably, this week, Italy are a better team than Wales at the moment. Italy are a team that I’d prefer 100% to go and watch than a Welsh team at the minute
“The Italians are an exciting team to watch and they are going to beat someone in this tournament, they’ve nearly done it a couple of times. I think they will beat Wales in Rome, unless Wales pull off an unbelievable performance, but I don't know if they've got it in them at the minute with everything going on. So that Italy Wales game, deservedly, I think Italy go in as favourites."
Italy need to be at their best to beat 'wounded' Wales
Italy captain Michele Lamaro says they need to be at their best to beat a "wounded" Wales side in this weekend's Six Nations clash.
Wales head into the clash with Italy sitting bottom of the table, with defeat this weekend almost certainly consigning them to a first Wooden Spoon since 2003.
Italy head into the match in the rare position of favourites, but are adamant that the new tag means little unless they perform to their potential.
Speaking to the Telegraph Rugby Podcast, Lamaro said: "That's obviously a hard one. I do feel that Wales are not in the best position right now compared to where they have been in the last few seasons, but they're still an unreal team honestly.
"They have so many experienced players and class players. They can be very dangerous if they want to be.
"The way they played in South Africa last summer was incredible. Everyone said they wouldn't compete in South Africa and they went there (and did). It was probably because they were so angry after our win over them.
"I do think it's a wounded team, but still a team that can give their best in a situation like that. If you see what they went through last week with the Welsh Rugby Union, it wasn't a good situation for them.
"But against England, they showed such passion and showed they wanted to work for each other. I do think they're still a very, very good side. I think we'll have a chance to beat them, but like the last three games, we'll have to be at our best."
Schmidt considering applying for All Blacks job
Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt is reportedly considering putting his hat in the ring for the All Blacks job.
Ian Foster has confirmed he won't reapply for his job after this year's World Cup, with Crusaders boss Scott Robertson having long been the favourite to succeed him.
In fact, Robertson reportedly came close to being handed the job last year while Foster was under pressure in the role. Another candidate is Japan coach Jamie Joseph.
However, the New Zealand Herald report that Schmidt is considering a move for the top job, while Stuff.NZ added that senior All Black players reportedly asked whether current attack coach Schmidt would be staying on once they were told a new head coach would be hired next year.
The backing of senior players would only strengthen the position of Schmidt were he to apply for the role, particularly given his experience with Leinster and Ireland. An impressive CV outside of New Zealand is something that front-runner Robertson currently lacks.
France star a doubt for World Cup
France backrow Anthony Jelonch is a doubt for this year’s World Cup after undergoing an operation on a serious knee injury on Monday.
Jelonch ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Six Nations win over Scotland, ruling him out of the rest of their Championship campaign.
The 26-year-old flanker is also set to be out for six months with Les Bleus hosting New Zealand in the World Cup’s opening game on September 8.
On Monday, his former teammate at Castres, where Jelonch spent five seasons, Gauthier Doubrere shared a story on Instagram of the 25-time international.
“The little one is doing well,” the message said with a photo of Jelonch sitting on a chair with his leg rested in a hospital room.
Plumtree in line for Sharks job
Former Swansea boss John Plumtree looks set to return to South African URC side the Cell C Sharks as head coach.
The Kiwi spent four years at the helm of the All Whites from 1997 and 2001 before going on to successfully coach the Sharks in Durban where he had previously been a player for the best part of a decade.
He has also had spells working with Wellington, Ireland, the Hurricanes, North Island, Japan and the All Blacks. Most recently, he has been in a mentor role with the Manawatu NPC team in New Zealand.
According to IOL Sport, the vastly experienced 57-year-old is set to take up the reins with the Sharks in July. Director of Rugby Neil Powell has been acting coach since Sean Everitt was sacked in November following a 35-0 defeat at home to Cardiff in the URC.
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