Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Monday, March 13.
Wales urged to stick with young guns in Paris
Warren Gatland has been told to keep the faith with the likes of Joe Hawkins and Mason Grady in Paris next weekend.
Former international James Hook believes the pair, and other young members of the squad, will benefit from the experience of the atmosphere at the Stade de France, as Gatland looks to build towards the World Cup.
Analysing the weekend's action for Scrum V, Hook said: "I'd stick with combinations such as Hawkins and Grady. I'd want them to go out and experience that atmosphere in France against a world-class team.
READ MORE: The Wales changes Warren Gatland is likely to make for France finale and the players under threat
"They're going to make mistakes, they're 20 years old."
Fellow pundit Tom Shanklin added: "They're still learning. They're new to international rugby. They're going to make mistakes. But I can see a future in them and I like what I see.
"It's about the combination working as well. But you've also got to go to these big venues. These noisy venues to learn from it. To feel comfortable in it. It is different playing in front of 75,000 people than it is playing in front of 6,000.
"It's part of the experience and part of the growing curve for them."
Victory in Rome was the first win of the campaign for Wales, and Shanklin admits Gatland's side are likely to find life tough in Paris on Saturday.
"From what we can see, it's going to be a tough ask," he added. "We're not where France are at the moment. We're in a building phase. We want to see improvement and it's going to be tough. But as long as we keep going and keep improving every game, I think we can be happy.
"But it's going to be a tough ask to go there."
Woodward: Wales and England in 6N division two
Sir Clive Woodward says there are now two clear divisions in the Six Nations, lumping in Wales and England with Italy.
Last weekend saw Woodward's former side humbled at home by France, while Ireland edged past Scotland to keep their Grand Slam hopes well and truly alive.
By contrast, England and Wales have performed poorly during the tournament and with just months to go before the World Cup starts, Woodward believes there is a clear quality gap in the northern hemisphere competition.
"After this result people will rightly ask questions over whether England can compete at the World Cup. England can’t worry about the World Cup now," Woodward wrote in his Daily Mail column. "They have to focus totally on and off the pitch on being competitive with Ireland this weekend. Nothing else needs speaking about.
"Another hammering is entirely possible. This Six Nations has shown that there are now two divisions.
"England are in division two with Wales and Italy.
"Ireland, France and Scotland are in the top tier. They are fitter, stronger and are able to play with skill that England, Wales and Italy cannot match.
"English rugby is in big trouble. My advice to (Steve) Borthwick — having been in a similar position in 1998 — is to make sure he learns the right lessons and prepares to take some fierce criticism firmly on the chin."
Owens eager to get 'out of the goldfish bowl'
Wales skipper Ken Owens says the team will relish being “out of the goldfish bowl” this week as they begin preparations for this week's clash with France.
After securing a first win of the tournament in Italy on Saturday, Wales are set to spend this week on the Mediterranean coast in Nice, and Owens believes it will give the team an opportunity to take their minds away from the various subplots surrounding Welsh rugby at the moment - and allow them to fully focus on tackling a rampant France side.
“Justin Tipuric said it was about getting back to enjoying it, and I felt we did that,” he said.
“There has been a lot going on in the last six or seven weeks on and off the field. We’ve worked hard in the group, and it was good to see that enjoyment, working hard for each other when we were under the pump. We will grow from this.
“We will go to Nice now and have four or five days’ preparation out of the goldfish bowl, which will be great.
“We will concentrate on the rugby, work hard and turn up in Paris trying to get a win.
“There has perhaps been a bit of confidence lacking over the last few weeks, but we were patient and we problem-solved.
“Italy didn’t disappoint, but we stuck to our game-plan. The first half was pretty much ideal with what we wanted to do, but the second half early on, they won some collisions and showed how talented they are.”
Crowley takes aim at officials
Italy head coach Kieran Crowley launched a stinging broadside at referee Damon Murphy following key decisions he felt went against his side in the 29-17 defeat to Wales in Rome.
Crowley felt his team should have been awarded a penalty try when centre Juan Ignacio Brex was halted from scoring by fly-half Owen Williams, insisting the Wales man was offside when he made the tackle.
However, after a check with the TMO, the decision went in favour of the visitors.
“How can a team give away 17 penalties, not be warned once five or six of those on their own line,” the Italy head coach told Virgin Media in reference to Wales‘ penalty count.
“Then not awarding of a penalty try to us in the first half. It was clear that number 10 [Owen Williams of Wales] was offside when he tackled [Juan Ignacio Brex].
“Then they didn’t even review the two guys that were cleaned out in the backfield when we broke. So there’s a lot of bloody frustration.”
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Dawson slams England stars following France humbling
World Cup winner Matt Dawson launched a scathing attack on Steve Borthwick's England side following their hammering at the hands of France at the weekend, and insists 'none of them are world class’.
Writing in his BBC column, Dawson said: "I don’t care who you put in the side, we are not good enough and that is quite deflating.
"There’s been plenty discussed over the past few years about how many world-class players we have and how we’re going to challenge for the World Cup.
"But viewing France and Ireland, England are simply not at the races in terms of top-tier internationals."
While Dawson believes Maro Itoje and Jamie George are talented players, he added: ‘Unfortunately, you cannot say any of the England players are world class at the moment.’
Farrell wary of wounded England
Meanwhile, Ireland boss Andy Farrell says he expects a response from England in Dublin on Saturday.
Ireland are one game away from completing a stunning Grand Slam after easing to a 22-7 win over Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday, and Farrell is in no doubt that England will be keen to dash his side's hopes.
"They will certainly be hurting and, I mean, it's a perfect opportunity to come and spoil the party," Farrell.
"That's the reality, so that will be a massive motivation for them. Is that bigger motivation than what we're going to experience playing at home for our Grand Slam game on St Patrick's weekend? We'll see.
"It will mean everything because I feel that the group are ready for that.
"But those words mean nothing over the next five or six days because we've got to go out there and perform against what's going to be a very motivated England side.
"So we will need to be at our best. That's what we expect of each other."
Read more:
Wales player ratings as Rhys Webb rolls back the years but winger frustrated after Gatland call
Warren Gatland Q&A: The players that pleased me and what we still have to work on
Wales finally win a Six Nations match as old face returns to make difference
