Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, January 18, as the Six Nations looms closer.
Gatland plans for Rees-Zammit against England
Wales boss Warren Gatland has targeted the mouthwatering Principality Stadium showdown against England for Louis Rees-Zammit's return to rugby.
The Wales try ace was named in Gatland's Six Nations squad despite injuring his ankle playing for Gloucester. He has been in a brace because of the extent of the problem, with Gloucester initially warning Rees-Zammit could be out of action for six months.
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The winger won't be fit enough for Wales' Six Nations opener with Ireland and then Scotland, but Gatland plans to have him back and firing against the old enemy in Cardiff towards the end of February.
"We’re hoping he’ll be available for the England game," Gatland said. "There were a few other injured players who might potentially be available later in the Six Nations, but he's one that we did name in the squad. We want to have the ability to give him some treatment and having a new attack coach to work with him as well. The indications are he should be up and running for the England game."
Rees-Zammit burst onto the Test team under Wayne Pivac, but Gatland clearly can't wait to start work with him. He chose him for the Lions squad to tour South Africa, with Rees-Zammit's inclusion making him the youngest Lion selected since 1959. He was 20 years and 93 days old when Gatland chose him.
Already, Rees-Zammit has scored eight tries in 17 Test appearances and Gatland wants that kind of firepower back in his team by the time England come to town on February 25.
Wales throw open doors to Netflix cameras
Wales are ready to show their fans never-seen-before dressing room footage as Netflix cameras explore their every move during the Six Nations.
The subscription streaming giants will produce a special fly-on-the-wall documentary of the tournament, following each of the six teams behind the scenes. The hope is to increase rugby popularity throughout the world and Warren Gatland says Wales will release the shackles as part of the project.
"Yeah, we are going to be incredibly supportive of it," said Gatland, who accepted the footage will come with its challenges. "You love the ability to do coaching behind closed doors. That’s what you get excited about. The hardest thing about coaching is doing this. That’s the most challenging thing – doing the press and having cameras in your face on a continuous basis. But it's the way things have gone and we’ve got to try and be supportive, try to grow the game. If that creates new fans and new interest in the game of rugby, then I can only see that as a positive."
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New England coach ready to deal with Six Nations 'hate'
Kevin Sinfield accepts that England are the most unpopular team in the Six Nations but insists pride rather than hostility must drive their revival.
Even when playing rugby league, Sinfield was an avid fan of the tournament but it was not until spending time with former Scotland players as part of his fundraising for motor neurone disease that he really understood the target on England's backs. England open their Six Nations against the Scots at Twickenham on February 4 and their defence coach believes that if they are to overturn the malaise that set in during the latter stages of the Eddie Jones era, they must find a higher purpose than feeding off "hate".
"I spent some time with some Scottish internationals over the last couple years through some tragic circumstances and it's not lost on me how much there's a dislike for us," Sinfield said. "I understand that. And I understand that that's quite common across the other nations as well.
"If we're going to get more youngsters playing our sport then it's got to be much deeper than building a game plan around teams hating us. I want the team to really, really enjoy putting that white shirt on and really enjoying tearing up trees for each other and doing everything they can to ensure we send a load of people home happy after that first game."
Townsend: This could be final one
Gregor Townsend admits this could be his last Six Nations as Scotland coach as he confirmed he has had no talks about extending his contract beyond the end of this year. It has been widely speculated recently that the 49-year-old - who took the reins in the summer of 2017 - will be leaving his post after the World Cup in the autumn.
After naming his 40-man squad for the Six Nations on Tuesday, Townsend said it was at the back of his mind that he could be leading his country into the tournament for the last time.
"Yes, absolutely. I'm not contracted beyond this year so of course [it could be the last]," he said. "I don't think it will change anything though because the Six Nations is such a big tournament and there's so much work that goes in for me and the other coaches."
Asked if he would like to have his future sorted out before the World Cup, Townsend said: "Yes, of course. But we'll just have to wait and see. No discussions have been had and I don't see them taking place until after the Six Nations."
Reports in France claimed Townsend had applied for a role as assistant coach with the French national team, while he was recently linked with the head coach vacancy at Leicester.
"I did get a contact from France, but it was just an initial enquiry and there was nothing further from that because we obviously play France in the Six Nations so I didn't want to talk any further with them about that," he said. "Nothing about Leicester. I read that with some surprise. Most of the things I've read are speculation."
Slade free to play in Scotland opener as red card overturned
England centre Henry Slade is free to play in the Six Nations opener with Scotland after avoiding a ban after being sent off for Exeter in Saturday's Euro loss to the Bulls.
Slade faced a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday following the red card for what was deemed to be a dangerous tackle on Springboks wing Kurt-Lee Arendse. However, the Telegraph report Slade is expected to be cleared this morning with European bosses said to be rescinding the red card. That means Steve Borthwick will be free to name Slade for the clash with the Scots.
France name teens among eight uncapped players
France have named eight uncapped players in a 42-man squad for their Six Nations title defence. The French are on a 13-match winning streak and seeking back-to-back Grand Slams.
Bordeaux-Begles' 19-year-old wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey is selected in the squad for the first time. Centre Emilien Gailleton, also 19, and scrum-halves Leo Coly and Nolann Le Garrec are also uncapped. Flanker Paul Boudehent, full-back Romain Buros and utility backs Julien Delbouis and Ethan Dumortier are others in line to make their debuts during the tournament.
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