Here are your rugby morning headlines on Sunday February 5
Shanklin warns of 'psychological blow' for Wales
Wales Grand Slam winner Tom Shanklin fears Wales have been dealt a crushing psychological blow ahead of their next Six Nations test.
Warren Gatland's men head to Murrayfield on Saturday to take on a Scotland side bubbling with confidence from their own opening day triumph over England at Twickenham.
And Shanklin warned Wales' 34-10 hammering at the hands of Ireland will take some overcoming, particularly as Welsh fans were hoping the Warren Gatland effect would immediately galvanise the team following a dismal 2022 under Wayne PIvac.
Shanklin, who helped Wales to Six Nations clean sweeps in 2005 and 2008, told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: "Psychologically I think it'll be a massive blow for Wales.
"Everyone was talking about 'Warren Gatland's back', the 'Gatland effect', everyone coming into this quietly confident.
"Obviously Wales weren't the favourites, but I thought we would have offered more. The first half just absolutely ruined Wales - we were nowhere near the physical standard we need to be, we weren't able to hit Ireland back.
"You have to say Ireland deserved it."
Gatland banked on experience in his team for the Ireland opener, his first game back in charge. But he has much thinking to do for the Scotland match and may opt for younger legs in the second game.
Already Wales are definitely without Alun Wyn Jones, meaning Exeter's Dafydd Jenkins may get the nod at lock.
Gatland will also look at the composition of his back row and whether Tommy Reffell needs to start.
Sexton primed for likely France title decider
Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton is looking ahead to a likely Six Nations title decider with France this coming weekend.
Sexton masterminded Ireland's comfortable 34-10 opening day victory at the Principality Stadium - their first Six Nations win on Welsh soil since 2013.
Ireland welcome defending champions France to Dublin in their second championship fixture on Saturday.
And Sexton said: "It's only a start, but if you come away with a bad result the Triple Crown and Grand Slam has gone.
"It's down to next week. That's the beauty of the competition, five games are tough - and none tougher than next week; the team that hasn't been beaten for a year."
Coach Andy Farrell beamed: "I'm delighted to get off to a good start because as we know this is a really difficult place to start the campaign. Our history says exactly that. But our preparation has been top drawer and we got what we deserved.
"At the same time there's plenty to do, to fix and get better. It's not a bad place to be."
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Van Der Merwe wonder try like 'Lomu PlayStation game'
Gregor Townsend likened Duhan Van Der Merwe's stunning solo score to something from PlayStation game 'Jonah Lomu Rugby' after Scotland retained the Calcutta Cup with their thrilling 29-23 win over England.
Van Der Merwe ran from inside his own half and evaded five tackles as he sensationally lit up Twickenham with the second of the visitors' four tries in a Six Nations classic.
The Lion proved to be the match-winner by plundering a decisive second try six minutes from time to ruin Steve Borthwick's start as England boss.
Yet emotional head coach Townsend was left purring about Van Der Merwe's majestic 28th-minute effort as he toasted a famous bonus-point victory.
He said: "It was incredible, wasn't it? It reminded me of when, for everybody of a certain age, you played Jonah Lomu Rugby and suddenly one person can go quicker.
"Duhan hasn't had much rugby over the last few weeks. He's trained really well with us but to play like he did today on the back of an injury, and not playing for Edinburgh, is real testament to how he's got himself in this position, mentally and physically.
"And I almost saw a different side to Duhan there as he stepped and then accelerated away. The last try was a brilliant finish but that first try was amazing, and one that gets the Scotland supporters going crazy in the stand and silences everyone else because you don't see tries like that very often."
Borthwick admits England pain
Steve Borthwick concedes new-look England have to go through pain before seeing better times after his side's Twickenham loss to Scotland.
It was Borthwick's first game in charge of the Red Rose after he replaced Eddie Jones in December.
"This is part of the growth of the team," he said afterwards. "We got ourselves in a position when we should have won the Test match in the second half. At 20-12 up, we shouldn't be letting that game get away from us. You have to go through some pain.
"Really good teams would go on and win that.
"We were playing against a Scotland team who have controlled this fixture in recent years. We need to make sure we limit chances and can shut them down.
"I am disappointed for the supporters, who I thought were incredible for us today. We'll make sure we come back here in eight days' time and are a better team."
Next up for England are Italy.
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