Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, February 28.
Walker: I could have chosen words more carefully
Acting Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Nigel Walker says he could have chosen his words more carefully, having been criticised for saying he would hold the four Welsh regions' "feet to the fire" if formal player contracts were not offered this week.
The former Wales wing made the comments on TV ahead of Wales v England on Saturday.
Walker, 59, admits he could have chosen his words more carefully.
"I think the testosterone was coursing through my body and I was getting a little bit excited because it was within an hour of Wales taking on England," Walker told the BBC. "Not the best phrase I've used, I should have used much gentler terms and I should have talked about collaboration because that's what I believe in. I've spoken to my colleagues in the regions and they understand what I was trying to do was give the players the reassurance it would go ahead."
Walker said he believes a formal finance deal will be signed in a "matter of days".
"It is a complicated document. You've got five entities. They're working through any final tweaks. But the contract discussions with players, that is going to go ahead irrespective," Walker said. "The regions are actually contracting before it is signed. That gives you an indication of their confidence that it is going to be signed. So yes, I'm very confident that this week will go smoothly."
However, Scarlets chairman Simon Mudderack has revealed the final paperwork only came through at the weekend.
"Rest assured we will spend every waking hour - as indeed I already have - poring through those documents in order to try and get to the final deal. Regardless in parallel this week we will move forward with contracts with players," he said.
"In our instance in the Scarlets - and I can't talk for other regions - we were as clear as we possibly could be and very specific in the majority of cases with our players before Christmas about what they would or would not receive."
Developments brought about by the threat of a player strike last week saw Welsh Rugby Players' Association chief executive Gareth Lewis be granted a seat at PRB meetings, the lowering of the WRU's controversial 60-cap rule to 25, and players being given the choice between a fixed or fixed-variable playing contract.
The PRB is made up of representatives of the regions and the WRU, including Walker.
First women's Lions tour set for go-ahead
A two-year feasibility is expected to conclude that a first women's British and Irish Lions tour is now possible, according to reports.
A 13-strong steering group, composed of administrators, business executives, former players and led by Lions chair Ieuan Evans, was tasked with determining the viability of launching a women's team.
The Telegraph reports that the group is set to announce its conclusion on Tuesday, which will be a major boost following the success of the Women's Rugby World Cup last autumn.
Talks will next focus on tour logistics, opposition, gathering commercial support and finding an appropriate slot in the international fixture schedule.
While the men's Lions tour New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, a women's tour would likely not follow the same destination pattern: instead heading to face heavyweights of women's rugby like New Zealand, France or Canada.
France facing prop crisis for Six Nations
Defending Six Nations champions France are facing something of a prop crisis for their trip to face England at Twickenham Saturday week.
Fabien Galthie’s side, who have two wins from three matches so far, are set to be without key front-row forwards Uini Atonio and Mohamed Haouas for the round-four fixture.
Atonio is already banned, while Haouas is set for another suspension after being sent off for a headbutt on Ben White in France’s win over Scotland in Paris at the weekend. Haouas' dismissal meant he became the first player to be sent off twice in the Six Nations and was on Monday told he must attend a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.
France flanker Anthony Jelonch will also not feature, having sustained a knee injury against Scotland, whose second-row Grant Gilchrist is also set for a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday having been sent off against France for a high tackle.
Ireland prop to miss rest of Six Nations
Ireland prop Finlay Bealham has been ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations with a knee injury sustained in Saturday's win over Italy. The 31-year-old Connacht forward was forced off in the first half of his country's 34-20 success in Rome and replaced by Tom O'Toole.
Bealham has started each of Ireland's three matches in the tournament so far and his loss is a major blow to Andy Farrell, who has been without first-choice tighthead Tadhg Furlong due to a calf problem.
Furlong will this week be involved in Ireland's two-day training camp and is in contention to return in the round-four clash with Scotland on March 12, with O'Toole on standby for only a second Test start.
Farrell offered a positive injury update on a host of absentees following the weekend win at Stadio Olimpico, which kept the Irish on course for the Grand Slam. Bealham aside, his optimism was echoed by a statement from the Irish Rugby Football Union on Monday afternoon.
In addition to Furlong, captain Johnny Sexton (groin), centres Garry Ringrose (calf) and Robbie Henshaw (wrist) and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park (hamstring) have been named in this week's training group with a view to being ready for Murrayfield.
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