Here are your rugby headlines for Saturday, February 25, as we get ready for the third round of the Six Nations... and the big one in Cardiff.
Woodward ready for Wales v England classic
Sir Clive Woodward is predicting a 'humdinger' of a Six Nations clash in Cardiff today and believes Wales will push England right to the brink.
England's 2003 World Cup winning coach feels what has happened behind the scenes this week, with Wales' players talking of strike action, will galvanise Warren Gatland's team.
READ MORE: Warren Gatland reveals hurt after hearing players say he didn't care about them
He tips England for a narrow Principality Stadium win, but cautions that prediction by saying: "Wales have got a big, big chance and a home win would be a superb end to a terrible week."
In a column for the Mail, Woodward wrote: "There must be no quarter given by either team if they are to come out on top. After what has gone on in the Welsh camp this week, I think we are set for a humdinger.
"Wales will undoubtedly have been hugely distracted with their players threatening to strike amid contractual and financial uncertainty. Normally, that would massively count against them. However, in this case, I think it could work in their favour.
"Welsh rugby is in a big hole. Players, head coach Warren Gatland and everyone connected to the team have been backed into a corner by everything that has gone on. How they come out of it and perform will be fascinating but I think they will emerge with their tails up and their guns firing.
"If this game was at Twickenham, I would say Wales would have no chance. But the fact it is at Principality Stadium makes it a different kettle of fish.
"I expect a rip-roaring start. Cardiff is the best stadium in the world for international rugby. I will never forget being there in 2013 when England were going for the title and they got absolutely blown away by Wales. The atmosphere before the game that day was just unbelievable.
"The Welsh anthem was amazing. We were working at pitch level for television and I remember turning to Jonathan Davies as the Welsh players were singing and saying: ‘There is only going to be one result.’ Wales went on to win 30-3 and take the title.
"England will have to cope with a white-hot atmosphere, a huge challenge for them. If they win, it will be a fantastic result.
"I think England will win by a whisker — about three to six points — but they will have to be at their absolute best."
Dombrandt: We must silence Welsh fans on 'crazy' day of 'carnage'
Alex Dombrandt insists England must silence the Principality Stadium crowd if they are to register a first win in Cardiff for six years.
Wales are hoping to recover from heavy defeats by Ireland and Scotland while Steve Borthwick aims to take another step forward in his back to basics approach after Italy were dismantled in round two.
It is a pivotal fixture that has the potential to break either side's Six Nations and former Cardiff Metropolitan University student Dombrandt knows the impact home fans will have on Warren Gatland's men.
When asked if England planned to silence the crowd, the Harlequins number eight replied: “Definitely. If we can have a good start and get on top early, you never know - the crowd might grow quiet.
“When Wales are on top, the atmosphere can be loud. If the crowd are quiet or not as loud as they usually are, then it means you're usually doing something right.
“So the more we can nullify their threats and be on top, you'd like to think maybe they'll be a bit quieter.
“I have experienced what it's like on a match day in Cardiff - it’s crazy, it’s carnage - and these are the games you want to be involved in. The atmosphere is going to be electric, it’s going to be loud.
“I was thinking earlier in the week that we had to play games in Covid with no crowds and you didn’t want to do that, so we have to embrace this.
“Mistakes will happen, that's just the nature of rugby. It's about getting stuck into the next thing and going back to what we know works for us and don't go into our shells.”
POLL: Who will win Wales v England in the Six Nations? Have your say below or right here
Smith primed for key role from bench
Marcus Smith has been told he has a "very important" role to play from the England bench today, having again been omitted from the starting XV by Steve Borthwick.
Smith started the tournament against Scotland at No.10, but Owen Farrell has since been chosen there against Italy and also Wales.
"Marcus has been brilliant and every player on the bench has got a very important role to play," said former New Zealand outside-half Nick Evans, who worked closely with Smith at Harlequins before joining the England set-up for the 2023 Six Nations.
"I was sat behind a pretty good player a lot of times in Dan Carter. I know what it feels like to be in that position, so I am able to give them advice.
"Are you just watching the game or actually seeing what's happening on the field? We have a real clear communication pathway to Marcus and what's expected of him when he comes on.
"His role will be different at times, because it's different to when you're starting or you're on the bench, but he will have a big impact.
"We're not asking him to go out and be Owen, we're asking him to go out there and be Marcus Smith."
Warburton's blueprint for Welsh rugby
Sam Warburton has called for the four regions to come under central control of the Welsh Rugby Union as he outlined his blueprint for the way forward for the crisis-hit game in Wales.
The hugely respected former Wales and Lions captain turned top pundit has called on people to 'put their trust in the WRU' despite the recent difficult times.
And he feels the only way four professional teams can be retained in Wales is for them to come completely under the banner of the governing body in the way the Dragons already are.
"I simply cannot see the WRU and the regions continuing to exist as they are," Warburton wrote in a column for the Times.
"The only answer is centralised control. If it was me in charge, I would say that: that I want to take control, want to fund four regions properly, but I can only do that if I have more control of what is going on.
"The obvious reason for the regions to not want everything to be centralised is because the WRU would then want to appoint its own staff at the regions — from the boards, to the chief executive, to the coaching staff, right down to academy level. Some people would get to stay, but some of those in senior management roles at the regions would know they could be like turkeys voting for Christmas if they allowed the WRU to have complete control.
"Ideally, we want to keep four regions and I think if the WRU took over that would be possible. However, a takeover only seems like it could happen if the regions sadly went into administration. They haven’t been successful, yes, but they could be made more successful by improved management, recruitment, distribution of players, and increased budgets, which would stimulate more interest in them in terms of crowds and investment.
"People cannot be afraid of change. The self-interest and tribalism must end. Everyone must put Welsh rugby first, they must put their trust in the WRU."
"I know that will sound a little odd given recent events, and people can justifiably say that the WRU is not fit for purpose either, but that is why the whole governance of the union also needs to be addressed." You can read Warburton's comments in more detail here.
Jamie gets his jerseys back
Jamie Roberts has been reunited with the jerseys he lost from his car following an appeal to the public for help.
The former Wales and Lions centre made a plea for assistance on social media after a bag full of kit of “significant sentimental value” fell onto the road from his open boot.
Well, his appeal has done the trick as he has the items back in his possession.
His original post on Thursday read: “Hope Twitter can do its thing. Accidentally left my car boot open and have just lost a bag full of various playing jerseys onto the road in Cardiff. Lost between Big Yellow Storage on Penarth Road and Cardiff Arms Park between 1.25pm and 1.35pm. Significant sentimental value.”
Then, on Friday afternoon, he delivered a happy update, saying: “Jerseys found. Extremely grateful to those that helped spread the word.”
In particular, he said thanks to South Wales Police and the Huggard Centre, Wales’ leading centre for people who are homeless and sleeping rough.
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