Your rugby headlines for Saturday, March 11, as round four of the Six Nations kicks off.
Shanklin backs Wales centres to wow
Wales youngsters Joe Hawkins and Mason Grady have been backed to come through the jeers and taunts of a Roman amphitheatre on Saturday afternoon.
The rookie centres - each 20 years old and with a combined tally of just five caps - will form the raw midfield defensive shield as Warren Gatland’s side bid to keep Italy at bay in round four of the Six Nations.
Former Wales centre Tom Shanklin went down that Roman road four times and lost twice, in 2003 and 2007, but believes whatever the outcome at Stadio Olimpico, Hawkins and Grady will eventually prosper.
Shanklin was a rookie 22-year-old back in 2003, when a team heading towards the World Cup in Australia under Steve Hansen were humbled 30-22 by the Azzurri.
“I was still very young and raw back in 2003 and I was in the centre with Leigh Davies,” says Shanklin. “It was the first time I'd really interacted with him because I was playing at Saracens at the time. That Welsh team was a mix of old and new, a bit like now. It was about development under Steve Hansen.
“I look at Joe Hawkins and Mason Grady today and you know they are going to drop balls and miss tackles, but that is the only way they are going to learn at this level.”
Wales were heavily criticised for losing to Italy 20 years ago, yet within six months they gave eventual champions England one of their trickiest matches at the 2003 World Cup in a tense quarter-final. Shanklin was part of that improvement and believes the current Welsh squad have to forget any thoughts about what might happen if it falls to ruins in Rome.
“The old Stadio Flaminio was like an amphitheatre and was an intimidating place in which to play," he said. "It was hugely disappointing to lose, but Steve Hansen came up to me at the end and told me I had done well. He always had good man-management skills, as he later showed in winning the World Cup with New Zealand, and he stopped me from worrying too much about my performance.
“I didn’t particularly think it was an embarrassment, I was just hoping to get picked for the next game. I didn’t worry about walking outside the house and getting recognised as one of the players who played in the first Welsh team to lose to Italy.”
The Six Nations table makes grim reading for Wales fans at present. Not only are Gatland’s side bottom, but they have only scored three tries in three games: half the total managed by the Italians, who are also without a victory. But Shanklin and Wales are hoping their midfield young guns will help make that record look a little better by the end of the game.
Italy v Wales at the Stadio Olimpico is being broadcast live on S4C from 1.30pm.
X-factor Marcus ready to light up Twickenham
Anthony Watson is backing Marcus Smith to ignite Twickenham when England and France meet after the Italy v Wales clash.Head coach Steve Borthwick dropped a selection bombshell by naming Smith at fly-half for 'Le Crunch' with Test centurion Owen Farrell demoted to the bench to accommodate his rival for the jersey.
One of the most exciting talents in English rugby has the task of implementing Borthwick's high-tempo game plan against the Grand Slam champions and Watson insists the 24-year-old has the skills to deliver.
“We've seen what Marcus can do for Harlequins, ball in hand, tactical kicking. He's got that X-factor where he can spark a game,” Watson said.
“That's what he'll be expected to bring, doing what he does week in, week out for his club. It’s mostly to do with him creating something from nothing. That’s what people tune in to watch. Fans want to see that type of thing and Marcus does that regularly.
“He’s not a one-trick pony. He can find a little grubber in behind for himself, chips, that type of stuff. Equally he can beat people one-on-one. It’s his range of ability to create stuff that makes him special.”
France on Farrell alert
Antoine Dupont insists France are ready for Owen Farrell to perform a key role in the decisive moments at Twickenham despite the England captain's demotion to the bench. Marcus Smith has seized the fly-half duties but Farrell is set to appear in the second half when Dupont believes his game management will be crucial.
"Smith is a player who enjoys the attacking game, he's great at the one-on-ones," the France skipper said. "He might not have as much control over the game as Farrell, but having Farrell's experience on the bench is invaluable. It's a massive asset.
"At this level, the final minutes of the game are very important so having Farrell come off the bench is great for them. A team's strategy doesn't change just because of one player. Smith and Farrell know how to fit within what is asked of the coach and the group.
"We know they'll be leaning towards the kicking game, they enjoy putting their opponent under pressure. Smith knows how to do it and he might be more dangerous than Farrell. Farrell is better defensively. They have different profiles but can be complementary at the end of the game."
Hogg dubbed 'one of the greatest' as he prepares for landmark game
Gregor Townsend declared Stuart Hogg "one of the best players in the history of Scottish rugby" ahead of the full-back's 100th cap against Ireland on Sunday. The 30-year-old has established himself as a mainstay in the dark blue jersey since making his international debut against Wales in 2012.
Townsend is hoping the pre-match fanfare for Hogg will help inspire Scotland to a victory over Ireland as they bid to land a first Triple Crown since 1990 and keep themselves in contention for the Six Nations title.
"It's very well deserved," said the head coach of Hogg's accomplishment. "He's been one of our best players over the last 10 years but also in the history of Scottish rugby.
"We put a tribute video on for him the other day when we announced the team with some of the tries he's scored, some of the victories he's been involved in. The creative nature of his game, his durability, his love of the jersey, his love of playing the game has been constant throughout that period.
"Right from 19-20 years old when I first started working with him at Scotland, and then at Glasgow, it blew me away to see his passing with either hand, his kicking ability, his speed. He's been one of the best rugby players I've had the pleasure to work with.
"It's a great game to win your 100th cap, back at home, with a trophy at stake. He'll lead the team out and I'm sure the crowd will want to show their love for him and their appreciation of what he's done in that jersey."
Ireland easy injury fears over star forward
Andy Farrell is confident "world-class" prop Tadhg Furlong will be ready for Ireland's crunch Six Nations clash with Scotland following a three-month injury absence. Furlong has been thrust into Farrell's starting XV for the visit to Murrayfield after tighthead deputy Finlay Bealham sustained a championship-ending knee problem in the round-three win in Italy.
The 30-year-old has not played competitively since Leinster's 38-29 victory over Ulster on December 3 but has been passed fit following a calf issue. Despite a 99-day gap between appearances, head coach Farrell is positive Furlong will hit the ground running.
"Some players can and some players can't and he's across his detail like no other," Farrell said of Furlong. "Tadhg doesn't have to tear himself apart mentally to try and make sure that he gets up to speed because he's already figured it out.
"He's one of those that probably when he's driving the car, or sat in his room, or having a bit of food or whatever, he's probably thinking about the game anyway so when it comes to training it's boxed off. He brings confidence to the team by how he prepares and that gives us confidence to know that he's ready to play.
"He's a world-class prop and a great leader and when you look around the changing room there are certain players that give a sense of confidence whether they're playing or not and he's one of them. Tadhg's nothing to lose. He just needs to be himself, he just needs to go out there and enjoy it."
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