These are your rugby headlines on Wednesday, November 16
Pivac gives injury update
Wales coach Wayne Pivac says Dan Lydiate and Will Rowlands "won't be back any time soon" following their injuries sustained against Argentina at the weekend.
Lydiate broke a forearm and Rowlands left the field with a shoulder injury, with the duo subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the autumn series.
And their absences may be even longer, with Pivac putting more meat on the bone at his pre-Georgia press conference on Tuesday.
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"They are seeing specialists," he said. "They are out of this series and they won’t be back any time soon. I think Will might have a scan today. They are both reasonably bad injuries."
Asked if the duo would be available for the Six Nations Pivac replied: "Not too sure. Obviously we’d like to think they will be back at some stage during the Six Nations."
Lydiate and Rowlands were replaced in the squad by Dafydd Jenkins and Rhys Davies.
On Christ Tshiunza, who also has a knock, Pivac added: "He is back in training today. He took a knock to a knee which turned out to be not too bad but it took him out of last week.
"At the moment he is playing six, the loose forward role for Exeter. He clearly has the frame that in time will be a second row. He is only a young man, he will put on a bit of size and weight and we see him as a player who can play in more than one position."
Robinson surprise at No 10 choice
Nicky Robinson says he was a little surprised Wayne Pivac has changed his pick at No. 10 again for this weekend's clash against Georgia.
In the absence of Dan Biggar this autumn, Rhys Priestland and Gareth Anscombe have been given chances at fly-half. The latter started against Argentina but Priestland has been given the nod against the eastern Europeans and Robinson believes it will be interesting to see who gets selected against Australia a week on Saturday.
Robinson said on the BBC Scrum V podcast : "At 10, I'm possibly surprised, continuity there, but he's just swapped. Priestland, Anscombe, now Priestland again. It will be interesting where he goes with Australia in mind.
"Anscombe came off after 50-odd minutes against Argentina, which is quite early. Is that a 'we're not happy with the way 10 is', Priestland come on?' I thought he did quite well, kicked well."
Marler: I'm not playing well enough for England recall
Joe Marler says he'd love to get back in an England shirt but admits he's in not good enough form.
Marler, 32, believes his club performances for Harlequins have fallen short of those currently in the international fray, Ellis Genge and Mako Vunipola.
He added he hasn't given up hope of being involved in next year's World Cup but thinks he's "not in the conversation" right now.
“I’d love to still be able to go and play at the next World Cup and give it one more crack,” Marler told the Evening Standard Rugby Podcast.
“But when it comes to loosehead it very much is picked on form right now. I’m not in the conversation because I’m not playing well enough. You’ve got Gengey who is vice-captain and a huge influence on that pack, and key to England’s attack, not to mention his physicality in defence.
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“So he’s key to that team, and Mako’s come back this season in great form. And you’ve got young, hungry Bevan Rodd, and Val Rapava Ruskin, who you would argue has been the form club loosehead in the league.
“You can argue that Eddie Jones might not be picking on form elsewhere but he’s certainly picking on form at loosehead. I can’t argue with that, so I will just keep playing and if the call does come one day, then brilliant, I’d take it with both hands.
“I also recognise I’m getting on a bit at 32, but there’s no shutting up shop.”
Cokanasiga out of All Blacks clash
England wing Joe Cokanasiga has been ruled out of Saturday's clash with New Zealand at Twickenham because of an ankle problem.
Cokanasiga was a late call-up for the 52-13 victory over Japan after Jack Nowell was unable to recover in time from an abdominal issue, but the giant Bath back has now been added to the injury list.
Nowell is present among a reduced 25-man squad, however, and is on course to return to the starting XV, with Tommy Freeman also present as additional wing cover.
Owen Farrell will win his 100th cap on Saturday in the third of England's three internationals this month, with Eddie Jones naming his starting XV on Thursday morning.
Forwards: A Coles (Northampton), L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), T Curry (Sale), E Genge (Bristol), J George (Saracens), J Hill (Sale), M Itoje (Saracens), D Ribbans (Northampton), S Simmonds (Exeter), K Sinckler (Bristol), W Stuart (Bath), B Vunipola (Saracens), M Vunipola (Saracens), J Willis (unattached).
Backs: O Farrell (Saracens), T Freeman (Northampton), J May (Gloucester), J Nowell (Exeter), G Porter (Leicester), H Slade (Exeter), M Smith (Harlequins), F Steward (Leicester), M Tuilagi (Sale), J van Poortvliet (Leicester), B Youngs (Leicester).
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