Here are your rugby evening headlines on Tuesday, March 1.
Calls for Finn Russell to be axed
There are calls in Scotland for Finn Russell to be dropped after the "embarrassing" images of him failing to track back and help his team-mates against France.
Russell was attacked by former players Rob Kearney and Shane Horgan after wide-angle footage saw him inexplicably jogging back as his team-mates busted their guts to stop the opening French try. Horgan described it as "pathetic". You can read about that and see what happened here.
Now, Rob Robertson, a respected rugby writer for the Scottish Daily Mail has urged Gregor Townsend to deliver the axe.
He wrote: "Townsend would be well within his rights to drop Finn Russell to the bench after his poor performance against the French. Whether he has the guts to make such a bold move is another matter.
"Adam Hastings, who wasn't even picked for the Six Nations squad, has been in good form with Gloucester and should be brought in from the cold to start in Rome.
"Russell lasted an hour last Saturday and there are embarrassing images of him jogging back into the defensive line rather than running to help his team-mates avoid France's first try. That would be fine if he had used a lot of energy beforehand but this was in the seventh minute.
"It will show Russell he has no god-given right to always be a starter."
Williams signs new deal
Wales international centre Scott Williams has signed a new contract with Scarlets.
The 31-year-old rejoined his home region this season after a difficult spell with the Ospreys.
He has rediscovered some of his best form in recent months and was unlucky not be named in Wales' Six Nations squad.
Williams has made 146 appearances for Scarlets since making his debut in 2012.
"Scott has been outstanding for us since his return this season. He is a player who still has a lot to offer at the top of the game," said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel.
"He is a player who leads by example and his performances have shown how much playing for the Scarlets means to him."
Williams said: "The Scarlets have shown a lot of faith in what I could do by bringing me back here and I want to repay them for giving me that chance.
"We haven't had the results we have wanted so far this season, but it feels like we are building something under Dwayne and I am excited by what can be achieved by this group in the next few years."
Alun Wyn arrives, Josh Navidi expected and six released
Alun Wyn Jones will join the Wales camp this week to continue his shoulder injury rehabilitation.
Wales captain Jones is expected to miss the full Six Nations due to the shoulder problem picked up in the autumn fixtures.
But the British and Irish Lions lock's presence will doubtless give Wayne Pivac's squad a lift in the extended build-up to facing France on Friday, March 11.
Wales sit fifth in the table after three matches, following Saturday's 23-19 defeat by England.
Rhys Priestland has headed back to Cardiff due to injury, while Wales have released six players for regional action this weekend.
"Rhys Priestland has been released back to Cardiff Rugby due to a calf injury and Alun Wyn Jones will attend camp this week to continue his rehabilitation," read a Wales statement.
Rhys Carre, Uilisi Halaholo, Ellis Jenkins and James Ratti will head back to Cardiff to feature this weekend, with Aaron Wainwright released to the Dragons and Gareth Davies back with the Scarlets.
Meanwhile, Josh Navidi will play for Cardiff against Ulster and is expected to be called up by Wales next week.
Roberts annoyed by Eddie Jones' World Cup focus
Jamie Roberts has expressed his annoyance at coaches who constantly insist their main focus is on the Rugby World Cup.
Roberts was speaking on the Ruck podcast after being asked about England coach Eddie Jones' much-maligned excuse that he is developing his team so they peak for the global tournament in 2023 rather than during this Six Nations.
Jones has made a habit of batting aware criticism of his side's form over the past year or so, regularly suggesting his sole focus is on World Cup glory rather than the here and now.
It's a stance that has annoyed many fans, with the English media sharpening their knives ahead of upcoming matches against Ireland and France.
Asked for his views on England and Jones' philosophy, Roberts said: "I hate it when international coaches say it's all about the World Cup because that pays a huge disrespect to the Six Nations and Test rugby that takes place in the four years in between.
"It's not all about the World Cup, it's about each Test match. Yes, there's a background plan, no doubt, that coaches have in place, but I really don't like it when coaches come out and say 'well, yeh, it's all about the World Cup'.
"That really annoys me because each Test rugby match is a huge moment in itself."
Priestland faces spell on sidelines
Dai Young has been providing further information on fly-half Rhys Priestland who has returned to Cardiff from the Wales squad due to a calf problem.
“It’s not a serious injury, nothing structural, nothing that’s going to keep him out for huge amounts of time,” he said.
“But like all soft tissue injuries its not going to clear up over night.
“It’s unlikely he will figure in the Six Nations games moving forward or our trip to South Africa.
“It’s probably a ten days to three week type of injury. It’s just something that needs to be respected, rested and rehabbed.
“It’s nothing to worry about or hugely concern him.”
Fellow Six Nations squad members Willis Halaholo, Ellis Jenkins, Rhys Carre and James Ratti have all been released by Wales to get some game-time in the URC clash with Ulster.
English clubs shut out
Doncaster Knights and Ealing Trailfinders have been denied a potential promotion to the Gallagher Premiership after failing to meet minimum standards criteria.
The Championship clubs have fallen short as their respective home grounds are unable to hold at least 10,001 supporters.
Covid recovery measures agreed by the Rugby Football Union council last June allowed for the Premiership to be expanded from 13 clubs to 14 at the end of the 2021-22 season, enabling the winner of the second tier to move up.
Doncaster's Castle Park stadium currently has a capacity of around 5,183, with 1,926 seats, while Ealing's Trailfinders Sports Ground is able to hold approximately 5,000 spectators, with 2,115 seats.
According to the RFU, both clubs have suggested they could seek to expand their facilities, however no formal planning permissions are in place, while neither proposed ground-share arrangements in their applications.
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