Here are some of the stories making the rugby headlines on Sunday January 15
Webb injury blow ahead of Gatland naming squad
Rhys Webb has been hit by an injury blow just 48 hours before Warren Gatland names his Six Nations squad.
Webb was a favourite of Gatland before being captured by the 60-cap rule when he moved to France in 2017. On his return to Welsh rugby he fell out of favour under Wayne Pivac, but the return of Gatland as Wales coach could offer the Ospreys scrum-half a route back into Test rugby.
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However, that might be in doubt after he went off in the Ospreys' European Cup win over Montpellier after just 11 minutes with a rib problem.
It leaves Webb and Gatland sweating on the extent of the injury.
"I haven't spoken to Rhys," said Ospreys coach Toby Booth. "I think he got a rib shot.
"There were a couple of instances in that play. You know if he comes off, it's not straightforward because he's tough.
"From that point of view, hopefully it's not too bad. He's been one of our most consistent performers. We'll wish him well, look after him and hopefully get him back as soon as possible."
Gatland will unveil the first squad of his new reign as Wales coach on Tuesday and it will be fascinating to see how many of Pivac's outcasts win recalls, as well as who he goes for as captain.
Ross Moriarty and Aaron Wainwright, two more Gatland favourites who were ditched by Pivac, are also hoping for Wales returns.
Ospreys stun Europe again
The Ospreys produced a result to stun Europe again by beating French aces Montpellier 35-29 win to give the Welsh region a great chance of reaching the knockout stages of the Heineken Champions Cup.
A try from Morgan Morris two minutes from time sealed victory and crucially gave Ospreys a bonus point to take them to 10 points in Pool B. Barring a remarkable sequence of results, that tally is likely to prove enough for qualification, although for insurance they may still need something from their final fixture at Leicester on Friday.
Alex Cuthbert (two), Justin Tipuric and Morris scored Ospreys' tries, with the kicking of Cai Evans proving key as he succeeded with three penalties and three conversions.
Coach Toby Booth, whose side beat the French champions 21-10 away from home last month in a result that the TV pundits said 'would send shockwaves around Europe', beamed: "We are in the entertainment business and that game certainly provided it as it went from one end to another. After the game over there, we knew they would come over with a point to prove but we just found a way to win."
Farrell cleared for England opener
Owen Farrell will be available for England's opening Six Nations game against Scotland on February 4 after the Rugby Football Union intervened over his ban.
The governing body confirmed Farrell's suspension for a dangerous tackle will have been deemed fully served before the tournament begins.
Farrell faced a disciplinary hearing after his shoulder made contact with the head of Jack Clement in the 75th minute of Saracens' Gallagher Premiership victory over Gloucester. The four-match suspension would have prevented him from running out at Twickenham in Steve Borthwick's first match in charge.
However, when announcing the ban, it was set to be reduced to three weeks if Farrell completed the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme.
Farrell, though, would not normally have been available for the Premiership match against Bristol on January 28 as any player in the Six Nations squad does not feature for their club the weekend before. As such, the disciplinary panel could have revised what constitutes the 'meaningful' fixtures which make up the ban and therefore included the Scotland game within those.
Nevertheless, Farrell - who told the disciplinary panel that he would take the tackle technique coaching course - will be back with Saracens to play against Bristol, so then clearing him to feature for England in the Calcutta Cup clash.
On Saturday, the RFU said the 31-year-old fly-half would be available for selection against the Bears.
A statement from the governing body read: "The RFU has written to Saracens confirming the availability of Owen Farrell for the Saracens game against Bristol Bears on 28 January. After a three week ban and completing the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, Farrell would be available for selection for England v Scotland on Saturday 4 February 2023."
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Dallaglio calls for Genge as England captain
Lawrence Dallaglio believes new England coach Steve Borthwick should make Ellis Genge his Six Nations captain.
The World Cup winner spelt out what he thinks should happen ahead of Borthwick naming his first England squad post-the Eddie Jones era on Monday.
Dallaglio said in his Evening Standard column that Farrell must be used differently in the upcoming tournament and be chosen at No.10 rather than the inside centre position Jones favoured.
"I think we need to unlock his footballing ability and his potential in a way we haven’t seen enough in an England jersey," wrote Dallaglio.
“So I would go with either Ellis Genge or Maro Itoje as captain – but probably Genge at this moment in time. I think Genge brings England a point of difference, I think he’s a very straight talker.
“I’d still expect Farrell to be the spiritual leader, the talisman and the guy that’s driving the team. And when the team are in a huddle I’d still expect him to be driving the team forward.
“But I just think England have to do something different to almost announce themselves; it’s a real opportunity. Steve Borthwick was named captain of England by Martin Johnson, no less, in his first game in charge.
"Borthwick decided to name Genge as captain of Leicester. Maybe that raised a few eyebrows but it proved a master move as Leicester won the Premiership.
"Farrell is a world-class player, and of course he’s a brilliant leader and a brilliant captain, but I just think the best situation for me is if the captaincy is taken on by one of the forwards.
“That’s nothing to do with Farrell’s ability as captain: the majority of penalties and free-kicks are given away in and around the breakdown and the scrum. Therefore, the rapport with the referee and the game management, the referee’s game management and your game management as a team, is just so much easier if the captain is up front."
Elias a Wales doubt
Scarlets and Wales hooker Ryan Elias is a doubt for Warren Gatland's Six Nations squad on Tuesday.
Elias has missed the Scarlets' last three games with an Achilles injury and will not play in the next two matches against Bayonne and Bulls. Those selected by Gatland will report for Wales duty a week on Monday.
When asked whether he will be fit for the Six Nations, Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel said: "Potentially, I am not sure where he is going to be for that. He's alright, I think it's going to be a medium-term (injury).
"We need to get those Achilles right because he has been struggling for a while with them. It was a case of having to bite the bullet on this because to be fair to Ryan, he is a tough boy and wants to play through pain.
"It is a shame because he was going good for us post the autumn."
Wales play Ireland on February 4, with Ken Owens, Dewi Lake and Bradley Roberts the other currently fit options at hooker.
Slade Six Nations blow after red card
Exeter captain Henry Slade could miss the start of the Six Nations after he was sent off in a 39-28 Heineken Champions Cup defeat to Bulls.
England international Slade was handed his marching orders in the second half for a high tackle on Kurt-Lee Arendse. He faces a ban, putting his participation at the beginning of this year's Six Nations campaign - which begins next month at home to Scotland - in doubt.
Despite the red card, Exeter finished strongly enough to stay above their opponents in the table with a home game against Castres to come.
It was 20-year-old Welsh lock Dafydd Jenkins who forced his way over in the final seconds for that fourth Exeter try to secure a bonus point, though the home side scored six on their way to a comfortable victory.
Sharks soar through
Jaden Hendrikse and Marnus Potgieter each scored a pair of tries as the Sharks booked their place in the Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 with a 32-3 win over Bordeaux-Begles.
It was a third win out of three for the South African franchise in their debut campaign of European rugby with Bordeaux not helping themselves after picking up four yellow cards.
Lionel Cronje kicked an early penalty for Sharks before Hendrikse went over for the opening try from close range. The hosts were dominant up front and Hendrikse again went over from a driving maul before second row Gerbrandt Grobler powered over.
With the visitors down to 13 men, wing Potgieter claimed the bonus-point try. Flanker Siya Kolisi was instrumental in that try and was again the architect of the fifth try as Potgieter strolled in out wide.
READ MORE:
Nigel Owens spoke with Owen Farrell about his tackle technique and warned he'd be in trouble
Wales announce Mike Forshaw as defence coach as Warren Gatland makes shock appointment
The final Wales Six Nations squad positions Warren Gatland still has up for grabs
England pick two of Wales' brightest prospects for Six Nations amid fears they could be lost
The Wales team Warren Gatland should pick for the Six Nations match against Ireland
