Here are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, March 3.
Wales dozen in action
A host of Wales Six Nations stars are in action this weekend after being released from Warren Gatland's squad.
They will all have a chance to convince the Wales coach they should be selected for the match against Italy on March 11, with most so far struggling for significant game time.
Props Dillon Lewis and Rhys Carre start for Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship home match against Ulster, with lock Teddy Williams on the bench. Keiran Williams and Rhys Davies both start for the Ospreys against Benetton.
Bradley Roberts, Leon Brown and Aaron Wainwright all start for the Dragons on Saturday night against Connacht.
Across the Severn Bridge, Christ Tshiunza and Dafydd Jenkins are in the starting XV for Exeter's big game against Harlequins at Twickenham., while Nick Tompkins starts for Saracens on Sunday against Sale Sharks. Flanker Tommy Reffell is another starter for Leicester Tigers against Bath.
Tshiunza is the only one of the dozen who made the starting XV against England.
Gatland decided to release the eight Welsh-based stars this weekend, with Keiran Williams, Wainwright and Teddy Williams yet to play a minute in the tournament. The English contingent are all required to return to their clubs during Six Nations fallow weeks.
Welsh star wants to stay
Owen Watkin has made clear he’s one leading Welsh rugby player who has no plan to leave the scene in Wales.
Barely a day has passed without one or other of the game’s big names this side of the River Severn being linked with clubs beyond the regional scene amid the turbulence shooting through the Welsh domestic game.
But Ospreys and Wales centre Watkin has bucked the mood of the moment by stating that he won’t be going anywhere on completion of his contract.
Asked if he saw his future with the Ospreys, he said: “Yes, I’d like to commit for the long term again.
“I love the club. I’ve been here since I was 16 or 17.
“This is the team that’s developed me to achieve international honours and with the squad and coaching staff here, we have a really good group.
“I’d like to stay here as long as possible.”
Watkin is just 13 games shy of his century for the Ospreys, having made his debut at the age of 18.
The 6ft, 15st 8lb player isn’t out of contract this summer, but he sympathises with the players who are, with many left in a state of limbo until now because of the contract freeze in the Welsh game.
“As a group at the Ospreys, we just have to rally around each other,” he said ahead of the home game with Benetton in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.
“A lot of people are in the same boat. The more we support each other on the rugby side, the easier it will become for people.”
Llanelli v Pontypridd off
Saturday's Indigo Welsh Premiership match between Llanelli and Pontypridd has been postponed because the west Wales club cannot field a team.
A statement from Llanelli read: "Unfortunately, due to a number of front row injuries in the Llanelli squad, Saturday’s Indigo Premiership match against Pontypridd at Parc y Scarlets has been postponed.
"Further details will follow on the rescheduled date for the fixture Llanelli would like to thank Pontypridd RFC for their understanding of the situation."
All Black apologises for throat-slitting gesture
All Blacks star Ardie Savea has apologised for the throat-slitting gesture he made to an opponent in today's Super Rugby match between the Rebels and Hurricanes.
Savea was yellow carded for his role in an altercation between a number of players. Rebels scrum-half Louwrens clapped in front of Savea after he was given his marching orders, prompting a fiery response from the big number eight, who pointed at the nine and drew his thumb across his neck in what appeared to be a throat-slitting gesture. The incident caused a big stir in New Zealand and Australia, with the number eight widely condemned.
"I can understand the fans are furious around the gesture that I made," the All Blacks number 8 told Stan Sport.
"It’s just a heat of the moment kind of thing. It’s footy. Kids are watching us, we’re in the heat of the moment. Usually that’s out of character for me, so I put my hand up first and I apologise for that.
"For me, to get a yellow card for a push and shove….that’s just where rugby’s going.
"I’ve got to be better. We’re trying to clean up the game. I understand, there are no excuses for me, I’ve got to be better."
Savea, who has won 70 caps for New Zealand, is now likely to face disciplinary action.
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