Here are today's evening rugby headlines on Wednesday, March 2.
North's Six Nations hopes dashed
Wales star George North is unlikely to play a part in this year's Six Nations.
It had been hoped and expected the giant winger would feature for the Ospreys this weekend against Zebre, with a Wales call likely to follow soon after.
But it's now been decided he's not quite ready to return to action, all but ending hopes of a Six Nations return.
The Ospreys' next match is on March 25 in South Africa, and North has been adamant he needs game time before re-entering the international arena.
Wales finish their Six Nations campaign with matches against France and Italy on March 11 and 19.
"He's not quite there, to be honest," Booth said.
"He's been out there a few times and we just need to be a little bit more calm. He hasn't really got the training we want under his belt.
"After being out for so long, it's important that we do the right thing for George and for the team.
"He's probably going to miss out this weekend.
"We need to get more training under his belt before we put him in because once he's out there, we can't control it.
"We have to make sure he's had enough volume so as not to expose himself to further injury."
But Booth remained upbeat that a return was not too far away.
Asked about a time frame, he said: "The next game, I would have thought.
"He's very close. He's been out training with us in team sessions, so it's just about backing up a complete week, maybe two complete weeks.
"In an ideal world, when you've been long term injured, you really need at least a couple of full weeks to understand exactly where you are.
"He's not ticked that box yet. Especially with the position he plays with high speed efforts.
"With that explosive stuff, it's really important to make sure you can back that up."
Star's brother dies in tragedy
Gloucester and Italy back-rower Jake Polledri has announced the tragic death of his younger brother.
The hugely respected star opened up on his grief after brother Sam died at the age of 24 following a "suspected heart attack."
Polledri took to social media on Tuesday to announce news of the tragedy that has rocked him and his family.
The 26-year-old international shared a series of pictures of himself and Sam, who was also a talented rugby player.
"It is difficult to put my feelings into words," he wrote via Instagram. "I feel like a chunk of me and my family has been stolen so cruelly.
"Sam was my brother, my best friend and a massive supporter of me always! He had so many plans, a lot of love to give & so many things yet to achieve.
"Sam lit up any room he walked into. Selfless, funny & kind. I’m so sorry that his life has been robbed.
"Life will never be the same again. He has taught me so much and I will carry this with me in every step of my life.
"Rest in peace mio fratello! Till me meet again."
Polledri's grandfather, John, was born in Abertillery in the Gwent valleys.
He moved to Devon to work in an ice cream factory and it was there he met his wife, Jake’s nan, who had come over from her home just outside Rome.
They ended up settling in Bristol and that’s where the 24-year-old Polledri was born and bred.
Wales' best players named
Taulupe Faletau and Alex Cuthbert were Wales' best players at Twickenham, according to the results of our poll.
In the wake of the drama-filled defeat to England last time out, we asked the Welsh public for their player ratings.
Thousands of you responded, and those taking part in the vote have awarded Faletau - playing his first Wales match since last Six Nations - and Cuthbert, who earned his 50th cap on Saturday, as their joint players of the match with a rating of 8.2/10.
They were followed by Nick Tompkins (7.4), Tomos Williams (7.1), Josh Adams (7), Kieran Hardy (6.8) and Dan Biggar (6.7).
Big names missing from England squad
Manu Tuilagi and Luke Cowan-Dickie are missing from England's training squad for their three-day camp in Bristol this week.
Tuilagi is recovering from a hamstring strain and Cowan-Dickie is waiting to discover how serious is the knee injury incurred in Saturday's Guinness Six Nations win over Wales.
Tom Curry is overcoming the concussion sustained at Twickenham in round three so Lewis Ludlow has been called up as back-row cover.
Alongside Tuilagi, Jonny Hill has been unable to take part in this Six Nations because of a high ankle stress fracture but the Exeter lock is to continue his rehab with England.
Uncapped London Irish prop Will Goodrick-Clarke has been included, but Elliot Daly and George Ford are omitted from the 25-man squad who will begin preparations for the clash with Ireland on March 12.
Eddie Jones has opted to keep Marcus Smith as the only specialist fly-half in camp, so Ford will be present to direct Leicester in Saturday's match against Saracens.
Daly, meanwhile, has failed to leave his mark at outside centre and so Joe Marchant will be given another chance after being parachuted on to the bench against Wales once Tuilagi had been ruled out.
It points to a midfield trio of Smith, Henry Slade and Marchant taking the field against Ireland in the penultimate round of the Championship.
Appeal launched against RFU decision
Doncaster Knights say they will appeal the decision denying them a chance of promotion to the Gallagher Premiership.
The Rugby Football Union announced on Tuesday that Championship leaders Doncaster and third-placed Ealing Trailfinders had failed to meet minimum standards criteria for Premiership entry.
The clubs fell short as their respective home grounds are unable to hold at least 10,001 supporters.
Covid recovery measures agreed by the RFU 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.
Doncaster, though, say they are "disappointed, dismayed and disheartened" as they confirmed an appeal.
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