Here are the latest rugby headlines on Saturday, January 28.
Wales star removed at half-time a week before first Six Nations
Wales flanker Tommy Reffell was an early departure from Leicester Tigers' defeat to Northampton Saints on Saturday.
Reffell, 23, appeared to hurt his right shoulder before receiving treatment in the first half of the 19-18 Saints win but played on and was heavily involved in proceedings right up to the break. He did not take to the field again after half-time, though, being replaced by Olly Cracknell.
While it is unclear what the exact details are, reports also say this decision was a tactical substitution before Reffell heads into Wales camp on Monday ahead of the Six Nations opener against Ireland on February 4.
He is one of few Wales internationals selected by Warren Gatland who do not ply their club trade in Wales, meaning he will be a late arrival to camp ahead of his first Six Nations.
READ MORE: Nigel Owens' Six Nations predictions and the Wales player who really impresses
Ireland prepare for Wales Six Nations opener in Portugal
Ireland say Andy Farrell's squad stepped up in intensity during a warm weather training camp in Portugal, a week out from their Six Nations opener against Wales next Saturday.
The Irish enjoyed a "big training day" at their Quinta do Lago base on Saturday morning.
The squad assembled in Dublin on Tuesday and have been building towards next Saturday’s clash against Wales at the Principality Stadium over the last few days.
Glasgow extend unbeaten run with win over Dragons
Hooker Fraser Brown's two tries saw Glasgow stretch their unbeaten run to nine games with this comfortable 42-28 victory over the Dragons in the BKT United Rugby Championship at Rodney Parade.
Brown was one of five Glasgow players to get on the scoresheet as the Scottish side crossed for six tries to record an impressive win to keep them fifth in the table. Wing Cole Forbes, fly-half Duncan Weir, captain Stafford McDowall and wing Sebastien Cancelliere all crossed for tries for the visitors.
Glasgow had crossed for four tries before half-time and registered a bonus point and were in control of this clash, with half-backs Ali Price and Weir pulling the strings.
Skipper Rhodri Williams, centre Sio Tomkinson, back-row Taine Bashman and prop Chris Coleman scored tries to record a bonus point for the home side but the Dragons were second best for most of this game. The Dragons were without talisman and Wales star Ross Moriarty, who was ruled out after being concussed in their last game and was going through his return-to-play protocols.
Simmonds loving 'buzz' under new England boss Borthwick
Sam Simmonds says there is already a "buzz" around England under new head coach Steve Borthwick. Borthwick's first squad have gathered at their Surrey training base preparing for the Guinness Six Nations opener against Scotland at Twickenham next Saturday.
Exeter back-rower Simmonds believes the squad, which toiled badly towards the end of Eddie Jones' reign last autumn, are buying into the new regime quickly.
"Steve and the rest of the coaches expect a lot from us, as they should," said Simmonds. "We haven't played a game yet but, within the few training sessions that we've had, it feels like we're going in the right direction. There's a buzz around the squad of excitement and enjoyment. The first game against Scotland is huge but from what I've seen and been a bit of so far, we're building quite nicely."
Rugby league great Kevin Sinfield is also making his mark as England's new defence coach.
"We have only been in camp for the last two or three days, but you can see what it means to him to be here and it's filtering down throughout the squad," added Simmonds. "He is a person who will lead the squad and you want to follow him into battle, I guess. He is having a good impact on the squad. I think he is going to do good things for our defence."
Saracens secure last-gasp win over Bristol
Francois Hougaard scored a dramatic winning try on his Saracens league debut as the Gallagher Premiership leaders edged out Bristol 20-19 at StoneX Stadium. South African Hougaard struck with the clock almost three minutes in the red, rounding off a spell of relentless pressure that broke a resilient Bristol.
It was Saracens' 12th Premiership win of the season, but Bristol remain rooted at the basement, having lost eight from their last 10 league games.
The visitors led by nine points midway through the final quarter, yet wing Rotimi Segun followed up hooker Theo Dan's earlier try with Saracens' second touchdown, before Hougaard struck, while full-back Alex Goode kicked a penalty and conversion.
Hooker Harry Thacker and wing Gabriel Ibitoye touched down for Bristol, with centre James Williams kicking two penalties and fly-half AJ MacGinty one.
Saracens were without their sizeable England contingent ahead of next weekend's Guinness Six Nations kick-off, with flanker Jackson Wray captaining the team on his 300th first-team appearance, packing down alongside Andy Christie and Billy Vunipola.
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