Here are the latest rugby headlines for Wednesday, February 9.
Wales told to start Moriarty
Ross Moriarty is in line to start for Wales against Scotland on Saturday after being resigned to a replacement spot in Dublin.
Moriarty, 27, earned his 50th cap off the bench after coming on for Ellis Jenkins during the 29-7 defeat against Ireland.
It was only his second game since recovering from a shoulder injury against New Zealand in October 2021, the other being a single outing for the Dragons.
"He's certainly in consideration," Wales forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys said.
"He's had good game time with the Dragons and he came on at the weekend."
Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan says he would begin the game with Moriarty.
"I personally would frontload him and use that 50 minutes at the beginning rather than chase something at the end," Ryan said.
"Wales do need some sort of reaction and need to show a different intent. If you going to tick a box of who does that then I would think Ross is pretty high on that list."
Seb Davies, Louis Rees-Zammit and Willis Halaholo are all back in training, too. Cardiff lock Davies was withdrawn from last weekend's Six Nations opener just before the game against Ireland as a replacement because of a back spasm.
Cardiff centre Halaholo has been battling a hamstring injury, and Rees-Zammit played at the Aviva Stadium despite picking up an ankle problem in the warm-up.
'Wounded animal' Wales to react
Former Scotland star Pete Horne believes there will be a "massive reaction" from "wounded animal" Wales on Saturday.
Wales were blown away by Ireland in Dublin on the opening weekend of the Six Nations, while Scotland achieved a tense win over England at Murrayfield in the Calcutta Cup.
All the talk so far this week has been about how Wales will react to their hammering at the Aviva, and Horne believes a reaction is coming from Wayne Pivac's men - but that Scotland will be equal to the task.
"All they've talked about is physicality and how [Wales] got beat up in Dublin and that's kind of a shot at your pride as a player," Horne said.
"You never want that to be questioned, especially on the international stage when you're playing for your country. I'd expect a massive reaction. Beware the wounded animal.
"I think they'll go down that route of real physicality, trying to bring that blunt edge and almost overpower Scotland, maybe more than they have under Wayne Pivac in the past.
"But I just think Scotland have all the tools to deal with that now. When was the last time you doubted Scotland's physicality? [Defence coach] Steve Tandy gets them in a good mindset to come out and defend well."
Another Cardiff Met product called up by England
England boss Eddie Jones has called up another Cardiff Metropolitan University product in uncapped London Irish back-rower Tom Pearson.
England are preparing to face Italy this weekend after their Calcutta Cup defeat to Scotland last time out.
Pearson, who joined London Irish's senior academy following his time at Cardiff Met, has been included in Jones' 36-man squad for the match.
The back rower made 28 BUCS Super Rugby appearances, 14 Welsh Championship appearances and was named in the BUCS Super Rugby team of the year during his time in Wales.
He made his senior team debut in London Irish's October win at Exeter and has now played a total of 10 matches across all competitions in what is his first season involved.
Cardiff Met said: "A huge congratulations to former Archer Tom Pearson on your call up to the England Six Nations squad. It's been a pleasure watching your progression from BUCS to Premiership with London Irish."
Humphreys: 'Focus is on us, not Scotland'
Forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys says Wales must focus on themselves and not Scotland ahead of their Six Nations clash at the Principality Stadium
A much-improved Scotland team, led by Gregor Townsend, will arrive in Cardiff no doubt buoyed by the win against Eddie Jones' men.
When asked about Scottish consistency, Humphreys said it was up to Wales to sort their own issues out rather than focusing on Saturday's opponents.
"That's for them, the mentality," he said.
"I'm sure the mentality they will bring here will be one of confidence. This is about us this weekend.
"We're playing in front of 75,000 supporters, the majority will be Welsh, and we have to get our own house in order, get better at the stuff we reviewed this week and hopefully put ourselves in a position to put a lot of pressure on them."
Wales will face England after the Scots, so a certain degree of pressure rests on Saturday's result.
Asked if it is a must-win game, Humphreys replied: "I think in this tournament every game's a must-win. It's about momentum. It's no different to last year, every game is a must-win and this year is no different.
"We understand what's coming round the corner. It's more about, if we get the performance and physicality right, we are going to be in a good place to win the game."
Lake reveals mixed emotions and initiation song
Wales newboy Dewi Lake has revealed his mixed emotions after making his bow for his country.
The Ospreys man made a real impact off the bench in Dublin in the defeat to Ireland, a positive among a number of negatives from the Aviva.
He impressed coach Jonathan Humphreys, who said at a press call this week: "He was excellent. He’s come off a long-term injury but he’s someone we earmarked a couple of years ago as someone who could potentially be at the World Cup.
"He was very good. He said it was fast and it’s a great learning experience for him and someone we have a lot of faith in.
"Every experience they have will allow them to progress on. You can talk about what it’s like playing in Ireland and the physicality they bring but until you experience that, it’s something you can’t put into words."
Lake revealed his emotions on after earning his first cap.
"It’s tough to describe really, isn’t it? I’m sure it’s every young person’s dream in Wales," he said.
"Disappointment, obviously, with the results but for me, my family and anyone who has put any kind of effort into my development... it was obviously a huge day for myself. Nothing will take away from that."
It was proud day for his family, too, who were able to witness Lake's initiation song - a rite of passage for any player making their first appearance.
"Yeah my parents, sister and a friend flew over. It was nice to share the moment with them post-game. They were on the Zoom call for the song after as well. I’m sure they enjoyed that."
And the song? "I went with Ain’t No Sunshine. A bit of Bill Withers," he said.
Is it a personal favourite? "Oh yes. Oh yes," he added.
Sexton reckons Paris win can put Ireland in pole position for Six Nations title
Johnny Sexton hopes Ireland can kick-start a winning habit in Paris ahead of next year's World Cup by putting themselves in pole position for Guinness Six Nations glory.
Captain Sexton leads his country away to France on Saturday evening knowing that the victors will be swiftly installed as red-hot favourites for the championship title.
The Irish are scheduled to return to Stade de France for up to five matches in 2023 in their quest to become world champions, including pool-stage fixtures against South Africa and Scotland.
"We're playing against one of the in-form teams in the world," said Sexton. "We're obviously in good form as well.
"It's been, of course, hyped up and if we can win in the Stade de France, it puts you in a good position to win the championship.
"I've won there a few times over the years - in 2014 we lifted the (Six Nations) trophy there and in 2018 we started off the Grand Slam year in that game - so if you win there, it gives you a great chance of competing for the championship.
"We're not hiding away from that - it's a big game.
"In 18 months' time, we're going to have two group games at a World Cup (at Stade de France). It would be good to have good memories of this place."
Ireland launched their campaign with a comprehensive 29-7 bonus-point win over Wales, while France overcame a slow start to defeat Italy 37-10.
Ireland star 'puking' before Wales clash
Ireland wing Andrew Conway has revealed he was "puking" the night before the Wales game.
Munster star Conway registered two tries at the Aviva on Saturday to take his tally to 15 international touchdowns in 28 games.
But it turns out he nearly didn't make the match at all.
"I was a bit dodgy on Friday night but I didn’t think I was feeling dodgy," he told RTÉ Sport
"When you are preparing for a Test match there are nerves, it’s a big occasion and I didn’t even realise until I started puking.
"When these things happen you kind of use your mind to not allow it in as well.
"You just convince yourself you are feeling fine.
"It wasn't bad at all really. I wasn’t aware I was ill in the captain’s run [on Friday]. I felt a bit off the day of the game.
"Then at half-time I felt a bit dodgy again.
"I’ve felt dodgy at many half-times because you’ve had a fair bit of caffeine, there’s been a lot going on.
"You are fatigued, and then, yeah, what genuinely surprised me more when I looked back on the day and then the previous evening maybe I was a small bit off.
"You don’t say it to anyone unless you are really struggling, obviously. I was grand. Once I got one out of me it wasn’t going to stop until I was empty.
"So probably a wise decision to get me off because if the ball came my way at one stage I wouldn’t have been much use."
Lewis Ludlam ruled out of Italy v England
England flanker Lewis Ludlam has been ruled out of Sunday's Guinness Six Nations match against Italy by rib cartilage damage.
Head coach Eddie Jones expects Ludlam to recover in time for the visit of Wales to Twickenham on February 26 after sustaining the injury in the Calcutta Cup defeat by Scotland on Saturday.
Veteran second row Joe Launchbury has been called into the squad as cover after overcoming a knee injury.
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