Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, January 31.
Gatland’s old nemesis warns he’s the danger for Ireland
Warren Gatland's old nemesis, former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan, believes it is the New Zealander's return which will add a "danger" element to the Wales v Ireland Six Nations opener this weekend.
Gatland, who was controversially let go as head coach by Ireland in 2001 only to be replaced by his assistant O’Sullivan, aims to start his second tenure as Wales coach with a bang by securing an opening scalp over the top-ranked side in the world when they visit Cardiff on Saturday.
There has historically been no love lost between Gatland and O'Sullivan, with the Kiwi previously saying of his former assistant: "I have always said that technically he was a good coach but I’d question some of his man-management skills." In his book Never Die Wondering, published in 2009, O’Sullivan made a heavy-duty attack on Gatland's coaching methods during his time with Ireland, saying there had been "little sense of a coherent strategy".
Now, O'Sullivan has told RTE Rugby: "Cardiff is always difficult to win in the first Six Nations game. It's a tricky, tricky fixture. For Ireland, it's crucial.
"I would say the danger for us in Wales is Warren Gatland is back in there. There is going to be a reaction there, they have to react under Gatland and they will, so that suddenly makes this a lot trickier than if Wayne Pivac was still there because we know what we were getting. This is different."
As for the players, he said: "We know the Welsh teams don't perform particularly well in the URC but put them into a Welsh jersey and everything's different. It's one of the great mysteries of Welsh rugby, how they can elevate themselves when they put on a Welsh jersey, but they do."
The Ospreys, who have 14 players in the Wales camp, have enjoyed wins over French champions Montpellier and English Premiership title-holders Leicester Tigers in Europe in recent weeks.
Former Ireland international Donal Lenihan told the same programme: "I think Gatland was rubbing his hands when he saw the first game up was Ireland. With all the stuff that's going on in Wales at the moment, he will use that as a mechanism to just pull everybody together. He will demand a performance from those players.
"I'm very keen to see his selection. I think he's going to take a short-term view on this. He needs to get Wales organised for the World Cup. They will be dangerous but it's a massive task for him to try and swing it around in what's going to be maybe two weeks' preparation."
Wales v Ireland kicks off at 2.15pm at the Principality Stadium this Saturday.
Wales to name team early
Wales are opting to name their team to face Ireland two days earlier than planned today.
It will be Gatland's first Wales team selection since returning to the hot seat when Wayne Pivac was sacked in December.
Gatland's matchday 23 selection will be an interesting one, given he has blended experience and youth in his overall squad. Follow live Wales team announcement updates here.
Principality issue fresh statement after WRU allegations
Welsh Rugby Union sponsor Principality Building Society says it will continue to hold the governing body's board to account after a week of damning allegations.
Acting Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Nigel Walker has warned the very future of the game in Wales is at stake over the allegations of misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia that have rocked the organisation.
Now, the sponsors of Wales' national stadium in Cardiff and supporters of the Welsh grassroots game, issued a statement on Monday evening, welcoming the action over the past week and vowing to continue to hold the WRU board to account.
It read: "Over the past week we've made our expectations clear to the board of the WRU on what meaningful and decisive action we want to see them take. We welcome the new independent taskforce to investigate culture and behaviours, and the constructive involvement of Sport Wales in leading the taskforce, along with the Senedd inquiry.
"We strongly believe WRU governance changes are crucial to drive forward a much needed and demonstrable improvement in culture. We acknowledge Nigel Walker's comments that he will work tirelessly and relentlessly to ensure the WRU progresses to a better place, and we will continue to hold the WRU board to account on behalf of our customers, colleagues, and communities."
Late Scotland international's family criticise SRU for not meeting over inquiry request
The family of late Scotland international Siobhan Cattigan have criticised the Scottish Rugby Union for failing to meet over their request for an independent inquiry into her death. Cattigan died aged 26 in November 2021 and her parents, Morven and Neil, and partner Ann Taylor believe two head injuries were the root cause. The case forms part of a wide-ranging lawsuit against rugby union's governing bodies.
A family statement was released in the wake of the resignation of Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Steve Phillips on Sunday amid separate allegations of misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia that have rocked the sport. The WRU scandal came after Edinburgh-based Liberton RFC faced allegations of racism, misogyny and homophobia after cutting their women's team.
The family's statement read: "Given the appalling situation faced within Welsh Rugby and Liberton Rugby in Scotland, where brave women and men have stood up, shared their experiences and demanded change, there is no better opportunity for the whole Scottish Rugby community to do the same.
"Sexism, bullying and intimidation are most definitely not confined to local rugby clubs, sadly it also happens at elite levels and Scottish Rugby's chief executive Mark Dodson and others at the top of the game can lead the way if they want to by doing the right thing for the right reason, a start would be by allowing an independent inquiry to take place."
The statement added: "In the 14 months since our cherished daughter's passing we are still no further forward in seeking the answers from Scottish Rugby about the events which led to Siobhan's tragic and avoidable passing.
"MSP Sue Webber reached out to us and after we met, she arranged a meeting with Mr Dodson. We were hopeful questions could be posed, answers provided and arrangements for an independent inquiry that is so desperately necessary be set in motion. Could he not find an hour in his schedule in over two months to discuss what we firmly believe to be a totally avoidable tragedy and what no-one should want to become a stain on Scottish Rugby? The reason given for the second cancellation was they were too busy because of the Six Nations, but surely that would have been obvious when it was arranged."
The Stirling County player made 19 appearances for Scotland.
The statement finished: "It is inconceivable that Scottish Rugby would not mark the passing of a current international, and it is not too late to honour her. Recognition of her life and contribution before one of the Six Nations games is the absolute least they can do. Siobhan always has and always will make us the proudest parents, our champion and hero and that we have to beg and plead for her to be acknowledged is an insult to her memory and heartbreakingly painful for us."
The SRU stated that it was committed to setting up a meeting within the next two weeks with both the MSP's office and its own.
Ireland add uncapped hooker to squad ahead of Wales Six Nations opener
Uncapped Tom Stewart has joined the Ireland squad as preparations continue for their Six Nations opener against Wales. The Ulster hooker comes into the group as additional cover for Ronan Kelleher, who will be monitored after picking up a hamstring injury.
Stewart is a former Ireland Under-20 international and was also involved in the matchday preparations for the Ireland A game against the All Blacks XV in November. Ireland go into the Six Nations tournament top of the World Rugby rankings and will travel to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff to face Wales on Saturday.
Gray links up with Scotland
Jonny Gray has joined up with the Scotland squad ahead of Saturday's Six Nations opener against England. The Exeter lock was not present at the training camp in Edinburgh last week because of what the Scottish Rugby Union described as "an ongoing medical issue".
Edinburgh's Jamie Hodgson was called into the squad on a temporary basis.
However, Gray started for the Chiefs on Saturday in the Gallagher Premiership and scored a try in their victory over Gloucester.
A brief SRU statement read: "After missing the training week in Edinburgh, Gray has rejoined the squad in Spain. Jamie Hodgson has remained with his club."
England hit by another injury blow
England have been dealt another injury blow ahead of their Six Nations opener against Scotland after Dan Kelly was ruled out.
The Leicester player had been an option to start at inside centre for the Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham, but the 21-year-old, who picked up his only England cap against Canada last summer, has been forced to withdraw from head coach Steve Borthwick's squad after suffering a thigh injury. He has been replaced by his club-mate Guy Porter.
Kelly becomes the latest player to be sidelined for Borthwick's first match in charge after taking over from the sacked Eddie Jones. Centre Henry Slade will also not feature after he sustained a hip injury in Exeter's game against Castres last weekend, while vice-captain Courtney Lawes is absent with a calf problem.
Kelly's injury leaves Owen Farrell, Ollie Lawrence, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi and Porter as the other centre options for Borthwick
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