Here are your rugby evening headlines for Sunday, March 20.
England release statement supporting Eddie Jones
England bosses have seen fit to issue a statement saying they continue "to fully support" head coach Eddie Jones after the side's disappointing Six Nations campaign.
Jones said his performance had not been good enough after France powered past England to take the Grand Slam. For the second year in a row, England won just two matches during the tournament.
READ MORE: Biggar's warning to Wales team-mates over future
There has been massive criticism of Jones in the English media, with questions raised over whether he should carry on in the job.
But an RFU spokesperson insisted the coach "is building a new England team against a clear strategy", adding the governing body is "encouraged by solid progress".
Saying that "a full review" would be conducted "as is normal after each tournament", the spokesperson added: "The RFU continues to fully support Eddie, the coaching team and players and we are excited about the summer tour and the progress to rebuild a winning England team."
When asked about his future with the side on Saturday night, Jones said: "That is not a question I need to answer. I just do my job - it's a question for other people. I'm disappointed for the fans and for the players.
"I obviously haven't done a good enough job, I accept that, but we're moving in the right direction. The results aren't good enough. When you rebuild a team it takes time."
Sexton hits out at Irish critics
Johnny Sexton has hit out at Ireland's critics after their secured a Triple Crown with victory over Scotland.
Andy Farrell's side were in contention for the title on the final day, only for France's win in Paris to secure their own Grand Slam and deny Ireland. However, despite that, they can look back on a fine tournament and one which, in Sexton's mind, pushes back at some of the criticism they've faced.
“It’s a very tight bunch,” he said. “We have come from so low times.
“You have got to remember only a couple of years ago we were being written off and the coaches were written off, the captain was being written off, the team was being written off. It’s a pretty fickle sport, isn’t it? We will keep our feet grounded because we know how fickle it is but like I said, I am just proud of this, to be part of this group. It’s a very special atmosphere.”
Sexton also noted how the current management, compared to previous regimes, is talking openly about trying to reach a World Cup semi-final. Notably Ireland have never got to the last four of the tournament, with Sexton having fallen at the quarter-final stage three times.
“We had some young guys in during the week that were incredibly impressive," he said. "We have some young guys in the last year who have been incredibly impressive and we need to bring them up to speed to make sure they are ready in 18 months’ time and we get a few bolters, guys that can make a huge difference. That is what we will need over the next 18 months, we need to make the squad stronger and better.”
Townsend refuses to confirm Hogg continues as captain
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend would not confirm if Stuart Hogg will continue as captain after the Six Nations.
Hogg said he apologised to the other players and staff after he and five team-mates broke team protocols by visiting a bar in Edinburgh after the victory over Italy. When asked if Hogg will definitely continue as captain, he replied: "Stuart is our captain just now.
"He lead the team yesterday, it's a long time until our next tournament. We'll have to reflect on everything but it's not something we're thinking about just now, it's a while until we play our next game."
Townsend would not elaborate when asked again about Hogg's future as team leader.
Crowley delighted with Italian resilience after sickness bug
Italy coach Keiran Crowley was understandably delighted after Italy finally ended seven years of waiting for a Six Nations victory with a stunning last-gasp win over Wales in Cardiff.
However, he had even more reason to be thrilled, revealing afterwards that a flu-like bug had left many players feeling under the weather during the week.
"I'm just really proud, there was a bit of adversity and sickness in the camp this week," said Crowley. "They dug in and kept playing, believing, [our] defence was outstanding and they stuck at it.
"We had some measures to measure ourselves by, not the results, and this gives us a base going forward now."
