Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, November 10.
Big changes expected to Wales team today
Wayne Pivac will today name his Wales team to play Argentina, with a number of changes expected.
Gareth Anscombe is poised to start at outside-half, with Louis Rees-Zammit moving to full-back and Alex Cuthbert returning on the wing. In the pack, it has been suggested Dillon Lewis and Dan Lydiate will start and there will be no place for Alun Wyn Jones in the matchday 23.
Pivac will make the announcement at 12.30pm before holding a press conference at 2pm. You can read the latest on the expected team here.
WRU vow to ban culprits
WRU boss Steve Phillips has vowed to ban those responsible for an incident which left an 80-year-old spectator injured last weekend.
The Union has handed over all CCTV from the Principality Stadium to South Wales Police and is supporting a new appeal for witnesses to an alleged altercation between two men which occurred during the Wales v New Zealand game. An elderly bystander was injured and taken to hospital. Two men, aged 20 and 32, were arrested on suspicion of assault and have been released on bail under investigation.
"The Welsh Rugby Union joins South Wales Police in their appeal for further information and footage of the incident," said WRU chief executive Phillips. "We thank our stewards and responding officers on the scene for responding so quickly and our thoughts are with the innocent individual affected and his family. We condemn the behaviour of those involved and deeply regret the incident on Saturday and wish the individual a speedy recovery.
"I cannot comment further on the incident given the ongoing police investigation but, once that investigation is complete, arrangements which ensure those found to be responsible will not be welcomed back to Principality Stadium will follow.
"Anti-social behaviour of any kind has no place in Welsh rugby, and whilst this isolated incident has no bearing on the majority of supporters who attend games at Principality Stadium, we reiterate our appeal to supporters to enjoy themselves responsibly this Saturday whilst attending the Argentina match, and during the games that follow."
Anyone with footage is asked to please contact South Wales Police online here https://bit.ly/SWPProvideInfo or by calling 101 quoting reference *375175.
The Union, who introduced a permanent alcohol-free zone in 2019, have previously appealed to supporters to be respectful of those around them after a number of unsavoury reported incidents over the past couple of years.
Competition: Win a brand new TV to watch Wales at the World Cup
Finn Russell makes big impression on return
AB Zondagh explained that Finn Russell has had no problem slotting back into the Scotland squad after earning a recall this week.
The Racing 92 stand-off was a surprise omission from the initial group chosen for the autumn internationals, with speculation that there had been a breakdown in relations between head coach Gregor Townsend and Russell after the number 10 was involved in an unauthorised night out during the Six Nations in March.
But after injury forced Adam Hastings to withdraw from the squad this week, Russell - who has been in good form for his club - was called up ahead of Sunday's Test against New Zealand at BT Murrayfield.
"Finn's a really positive guy who has brought some real good energy into the squad," said attack coach Zondagh. "He's a relaxed guy in general and I think that's rubbed off on the rest of the squad.
"Finn is a really good player who has been part of our group for a long time. He understands the DNA of the team so he's slotted right back in. He'll be good value for us whether he's starting or on the bench. I know he'll have a good impact, that's for sure. It's really good to have him back."
George to return for England
Jamie George is poised to make his comeback in England's clash with Japan on Saturday after completing a rapid recovery from a foot injury.
George is one of two hookers included in a reduced 25-man squad picked to finalise preparations for the Twickenham showdown and is likely to provide bench cover for Luke Cowan-Dickie, who started the 30-29 defeat by Argentina that opened the campaign. It will complete an unexpected return for the 32-year-old after he was told he would miss entire Autumn Nations Series due to breaking two metatarsals on club duty for Saracens against Leicester on October 1.
But the expected 10-12 period of recovery has almost been halved to give England a boost as they look to rebuild after a disappointing start to the autumn. Otherwise Eddie Jones could opt for the same starting and replacement forwards which faced the Pumas, all of whom have been retained apart from discarded hooker Jack Singleton.
Furlong thrilled to captain Ireland
Tadhg Furlong says it will be "class" to captain Ireland for the first time after declaring himself fit for Saturday's Dublin showdown with Fiji.
Prop Furlong was one of three Irish players forced off by injury in last weekend's 19-16 win over South Africa but has overcome the ankle issue to retain his place. The British and Irish Lion has also been handed the responsibility of leading the team at the Aviva Stadium by head coach Andy Farrell, meaning regular skipper Johnny Sexton, who suffered a dead leg against the Springboks, and vice-captain James Ryan are almost certain to be among those rested.
Leinster player Furlong, who has 61 caps, has not captained a side since his days with Ireland Under-18s.
"I never even thought of it," said the 29-year-old. "You know when you dream as a young fella, you want to play for Ireland, you want to play for Leinster, you want to play for the Lions - I never even dreamed of captaining Ireland.
"It could be my only time! Obviously I didn't know if I would be playing or not, Faz (Farrell) said it to me on Monday, 'would you skipper the team, if you're fit and ready to go?' so of course. It's class, it's class, it's not something I ever thought was on my radar. To get an opportunity is special, you know? I just want to make the most out of the weekend."
Read more:
Jonathan Davies pulls apart Wales' problems and fears the solutions may not exist right now
Missing captain Dan Biggar 'feared the worst' watching Wales v New Zealand from the stands
Gethin Jenkins questions Wales players' 'edge' during 'emotional' meeting
