These are your rugby headlines on of Monday, March 27.
Biggar's Six Nations disappointment
Dan Biggar says Wales’ Guinness Six Nations campaign was “complicated” and that he was “personally” disappointed following their fifth-place finish.
The Toulon fly-half returned to the starting XV for the concluding clash against France in Paris, having been in and out of Warren Gatland’s thoughts during the tournament.
Now back in France with his club side, Biggar has had time to reflect, conceding Wales had “a lot of problems” and insisting his focus now is to become a champion with Toulon.
Speaking after the weekend win over Lyon, he said: “We are very happy with this victory. It was very important for us. Mentally, it feels good. There are smiles.
“Personally, I was disappointed with the Six Nations. It was complicated, we had a lot of problems. I’m happy to be with the group here in Toulon. By winning in Lyon, we also enter the top six. We worked a lot for that. Physically, it may have been seen, I slightly hurt my back with Wales, but that’s fine."
He laughed: "It’s a bit stiff", before adding: "When I entered the pitch my ankle turned a little. But I assure you it’s fine. I have only one desire now, to play at Stade Mayol [Toulon's home ground]. There is an incredible atmosphere in this stadium. I want to play for this club and for the fans. I want us to go as far as possible. I want to be champion of France with Toulon.”
Scarlets backed for European silverware
James Hook has named the Scarlets as the Welsh side he feels have the best chance of winning European silverware.
The Ospreys will visit Saracens for a last-16 Heineken Champions Cup clash on Sunday, while EPCR Challenge Cup ties see Scarlets host Brive on Friday evening with Cardiff facing Sale at the Arms Park and the Dragons tackling Glasgow at Scotstoun on Saturday.
In the Scarlets’ favour is that they have home advantage for the quarter-final should they send Brive packing. They would face either Bristol Bears or Clermont Auvergne, but after beating a fully-loaded Sharks team at the weekend, they might fancy their chances against anyone.
Hook said on BBC's Scrum V programme: “The Ospreys have beaten Montpellier and Leicester away, so why can’t they go to Sarries? It’s going to be a tough ask. But if you’re going to put money on anyone [Welsh] winning any silverware in Europe, you have to go Scarlets. Their route to the final, if they get there, is all in their favour.”
If they find some form, Cardiff could take some beating in the Challenge Cup, though Sale will be a tough nut to crack with a trip to either Benetton or Connacht awaiting the winners.
Wales climb rankings
Wales' comprehensive 31-5 win over Ireland in the opening round of the Women's Six Nations has seen them move up the world rankings.
Wales flew out of the blocks at the Arms Park on Saturday afternoon in front of a record crowd with Alex Callender, Keira Bevan, Sioned Harries and Hannah Jones crossing the whitewash in a dominant first half in Cardiff, before Sisilia Tuipulotu capped a player-of-the-match performance with a fifth try for Wales.
Wales have an improved rating of 73.95 points, while Ireland have had 1.25 points deducted from their rating, which now stands at 72.76 points. It means Wales move up to eighth place in the standings, swapping places with Ireland who slip to ninth.
England’s rating remains 94.29 points and their 1.10-point lead at the top over New Zealand is still intact. The Red Roses beat Scotland 58-7 in Newcastle on Saturday.
France, meanwhile, rounded off the opening weekend of the tournament with a hard-fought 22-12 win over Italy in Parma. The win saw two-tenths of a point added to Les Bleues’ rating and they are now on 89.88 points, still 3.31 points behind New Zealand.
Italy are still half a point better off than Australia in fifth.
New women's World Rugby rankings: 1. England, 2. New Zealand, 3. France, 4. Canada, 5. Italy, 6. Australia, 7. USA, 8. Wales, 9. Ireland, 10. Scotland.
Four Wales players make Women's Six Nations team of the weekend
Four Wales players have been given the nod in the Women's Six Nations team of the weekend after their thumping 31-5 win over Ireland in round one.
The Telegraph select Wales player of the match and converted tighthead prop Sisilia Tuipulotu, loosehead Gwenllian Pyrs, No. 8 Sioned Harries, scrum-half Keira Bevan. Of Tuipulotu, who had a try chalked off before scoring an official one moments later, the outlet said: "Topped off a monstrous player-of-the-match performance with a second-half try."
Four Red Roses stars are named: winger Claudia MacDonald, fly-half Holly Aitchison, lock Poppy Cleall and flanker Marlie Packer.
Despite their 58-7 defeat to England, two Scotland players feature: full-back Chloe Rollie and centre Emma Orr. Three France players and two Italy personnel are selected, following the two sides' tight encounter.
Ireland's Johnny Sexton suffers season-ending groin injury
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton looks set to miss the rest of this season after suffering a groin injury. Sexton was hurt during the closing stages of Ireland's Guinness Six Nations title and Grand Slam-clinching victory over England nine days ago.
Sexton's provincial team Leinster say that the 37-year-old will undergo a procedure on the injury on Tuesday.
"Johnny Sexton will see a specialist on Tuesday and have a procedure on the groin injury picked up in Ireland's Guinness Six Nations game against England, which will likely keep him sidelined for the remainder of the Leinster Rugby season," Leinster said.
It means that Sexton, who will retire after the World Cup later this year, has probably played his final game for Leinster. Ireland's opening World Cup warm-up Test, meanwhile, is against Italy in Dublin on August 5.
Leinster are chasing a Heineken Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship trophy double. They host Ulster in the Champions Cup round of 16 on Saturday, with the winners facing a home quarter-final against Leicester or Edinburgh a week later. Leinster are runaway leaders of the URC, and will contest the play-offs next month as clear title favourites.
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