Here are your rugby morning headlines for Wednesday, February 8.
Tables have turned - Shane
Shane Williams believes the tables have turned between Scotland and Wales ahead of this weekend's Six Nations clash.
Scotland head into the match on the back of a third consecutive Calcutta Cup victory over England, while Wales are licking their wounds after a heavy defeat to Ireland in Cardiff. However, the last two years have seen Scotland follow up their victories over England with disappointing defeats to Wales.
Warren Gatland has also never lost to Scotland, but Wales legend Williams believes that the home side could struggle as Scotland finally try to shake off the underachievers tag.
READ MORE: What went wrong for Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau as one faces Six Nations axe
"Scotland is a very tricky game for Wales," Williams told the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast.
"I think it sums it up for me that I expected Scotland to put England under pressure and to win the game.
"I think Scotland have been underachievers for some time. You just look at the names on the team sheet; the players they have are absolute world class and when they get it right, they get it right. It was no shock to me.
"I don't see them being complacent; I see them going on from this and getting stronger."
"Wales having lost at home, they will not be looking forward to going to Murrayfield because if Scotland play with that desire and confidence against Wales it's going to be really tough for us," Williams added.
"It's hard for me to say that because I didn't lose to Scotland personally, but I do think the tables have turned. At times they allow teams back in the game, but they are a joy to watch. It's just being able to do it for 80 minutes.
"Scotland are under pressure because Scotland fans are going to expect [a win]. They've beaten England away from home, they're at home, Wales have just lost to Ireland, they expect to win this game.
"We know it doesn't always work out like that in the Six Nations. There will be a few nervy players and coaching staff in that Scotland team and Wales need to go up there with the attitude of 'let's just have a crack'."
Scotland hold discussions over Welsh disappointments
Those within the Scotland camp are also painfully aware of their inability to follow up recent victories against England with wins over Wales. The last two years have seen England defeated in the opening round of Scotland's Six Nations campaign, only for Wales to crash the party a week later.
As such, not allowing a 'three-peat' is high up on the agenda in the Scottish camp. Scrum coach Pieter de Villiers has admitted it has already been discussed ahead of Saturday.
“It’s already been a point of discussion in the group,” said de Villiers. “There has obviously been a few of those in the past and we also want to remind ourselves Saturday was only our first game and it wasn’t perfect – far from it.
“It was a great win but we still need to improve. You can look at the Welsh team as well, the second half on Saturday was a draw against the number one team in the world with new management. We know there is a lot of experience there as well so there is a lot to take in to make sure we honour Wales as a difficult side. They have proved it in the past.
“We can’t dwell on Saturday. We have to move on quickly because there is lots to fix. Having a good win at Twickenham might have been such a moment of pleasure in the past that we might have been a bit slow to move on to the next game and that is why I’m saying we can’t dwell on it. Let’s move on immediately and look at where we can improve. We hope to show the growth this week.”
All Blacks coaching announcement could be imminent
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has hinted that an update on the All Blacks coaching process could arrive in the coming days.
Having missed out to Ian Foster in 2019, Robertson is expected to be a strong candidate for the head coaching role after the World Cup in France later this year.
Previous reports in New Zealand has suggested that New Zealand Rugby management are currently deciding whether to announce a new All Blacks coach either before or after the World Cup - with the notion that it will be before gathering momentum.
As such, an announcement on when the next All Blacks coach will be appointed is expected in a matter of weeks, rather than months. And Robertson has added fuel to the fire, telling media that "the next two weeks is big".
“It’s one of those times I’m just waiting for NZR to make the announcements really. Like you have conversations in the background, but as an employee and understanding how important you go through clear processes. Hopefully we know in the next few days,” he said.
“I’ve had options, but I’ve always said, my preference is to be here in New Zealand and coach my country, but I’ve also been really patient. I think where we are now, we’re going to deal with rather than what has happened....the next two weeks is big.
“I haven’t signed anything yet but look I’m trying to be really professional as I can. Take good advice and have conversations with who I need to. NZR have been good in that regard."
What will happen in Wales v Scotland? Cast your vote now
Russell reveals why he went after Farrell
Scotland fly-half Finn Russell has explained what happened with Owen Farrell during the on-field scuffle in the first half of the Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham.
After a strong tackle by Farrell dislodged the ball from Russell, an end-of-field camera then picked up the Russell make his way towards for Farrell during Duhan van der Merwe’s try which occurred moments later.
The Scottish fly-half bumped into Farrell and appeared to mock him. He's now explained what happened.
“Faz [Farrell] had just banged me and I had lost the ball,” Russell told RugbyPass's The Offload podcast. “Then they kicked it long and I was on the ground. I thought it was Faz but it was actually Marcus [Smith] or [Joe] Marchant who were mouthing off at me on the ground.
“As soon as Duhan went through I saw Faz and I went straight to him to give him a mouthful back. I just said ‘what you say now?’ kinda thing ‘anything else to say?’ cause obviously you’ve been mouthing off to me and Duhan’s run it back 60 metres. It wasn’t that much.
“Well Faz just said ‘I didn’t say anything, what are you on about’, I don’t think it was actually him who was mouthing off..
“So after the game I was like 'sorry yeah that was a bit of s*** chat'. I had my face into the ground so I assumed it was him but I don’t think it actually was.”
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