Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, February 23.
Gatland: 'England haven't done their homework'
Warren Gatland has thrown down the gauntlet to England ahead of Saturday's Six Nations showdown by claiming they haven't "done their homework" after demanding the Principality Stadium roof remains open.
Wales wanted the roof closed for the 74,000 sell-out clash, something that would have enabled the noise and passion created by fervent Welsh fans to reverberate around and remain inside the greatest stadium in rugby. But Six Nations rules dictate that visitors to Cardiff must also agree on an enclosed ground, and England informed the Welsh Rugby Union they want the stadium open.
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Gatland couldn't resist a little dig at England over their decision, starting the pre-match mind games that often go with this particular fixture by stating they haven't appeared to note Wales' record is actually better when the roof is open.
He said: "They’ve asked for the roof to be open, so it’s open. We'd have preferred for it to be closed so whether that dampens down the atmosphere a little, I'm not sure. The ironic thing is that when you look at the numbers, we've a better win record than when it's closed. I don't know if they have done their homework on that."
However, despite his "homework" comments, Gatland then insisted there was no need to look for a pre-match psychological advantage.
"I don't think, with a game like this, that you can try and create anything out of nothing," he said. "I might have said some things in the past that have backfired on me. There's no winding up the opposition because I think this game takes care of itself."
Nonetheless, the comments from the Wales coach may plant some seeds of doubt in the minds of England's players, although Red Rose boss Steve Borthwick won't be going back on the roof decision.
During the last Six Nations match of Gatland's previous reign as Wales boss, there was a stadium roof row ahead of the 2019 Grand Slam decider with Ireland. Wales wanted the roof closed again that day, with heavy rain forecast, but the Irish refused. However, Wales produced a wonderful display of wet weather rugby, with Gareth Anscombe giving a kicking masterclass from No. 10, to win 25-7 and land the Grand Slam.
Two games earlier, England had again forced Wales to keep the roof open, with Gatland's men prevailing 21-13. Indeed, England's last win at the Principality Stadium came in 2017, when Elliot Daly scored a last-gasp try to seal victory for Eddie Jones’ side. That day, England had also requested the roof remain open.
Gatland is hoping what has happened this week, with players on the brink of taking strike action, will galvanise everyone and create a siege mentality come kick-off time against the old enemy. The two teams each desperately need to win, Wales after opening losses to Ireland and Scotland and Borthwick's England, who have a solitary victory over Italy to their name this year.
POLL: Who will win Wales v England in the Six Nations? Have your say below or right here
Exeter dismiss Hawkins swoop talk
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter has dismissed talk linking him with a move for new Wales centre Joe Hawkins. Media outlets have stated Ospreys star Hawkins is on the brink of a move out of Welsh rugby to join the English giants.
WalesOnline reported on Wednesday that the Ospreys were hopeful of retaining the Wales centre despite the speculation.
Baxter has now insisted: "I don't know where the rumour has come from and I don't know where it's started, but there's no truth in it."
Baxter says Hawkins' fellow Wales young gun Dafydd Jenkins has spoken to him of the qualities the centre possesses.
"I've watched and looked at Joe many times," Baxter said. "Daf had mentioned to me personally that he's a good player and said to me two or three times that he thinks he's got potential, so I've watched him play many times for Ospreys and watched him play the Welsh games. But watching a player to see where they are and talking to them, sitting down, making contract offers and signing them are worlds apart."
England star talks up unique Cardiff atmosphere
Freddie Steward has explained what makes playing against Wales in Cardiff such a unique experience for England.
The Red Rose full-back was among the fans when Elliot Daly scored a try to win the 2017 Principality Stadium clash between the two sides. That day a 16-year-old Steward was wearing a white jersey, with his face painted in national colours to watch George Ford and Owen Farrell send Daly diving over for a dramatic score that snatched a 21-16 victory.
It was England's last win in the Welsh capital and since then Steward has taken ownership of the full-back jersey at Daly's expense. At 22, this time he will be on the pitch in Cardiff when Steve Borthwick's men march on Cardiff.
"That was a little snapshot for me of what the Welsh atmosphere is like. It's incredible," said Steward of what happened six years ago.
"When the try was scored a lot of beer was thrown around and there was a lot of rowdiness. There was also a bit of dismay, as you can imagine. The pictures of me that day are shocking. No, I was a proud Englishman that day. I remember it very well, it was a brilliant day.
"Hopefully when we return on Saturday it will the same again. It was an awesome memory. Nicking it the way we did at the end was pretty cool.
"The one thing that stands out is the Welsh anthem. I think the roof was off that day but even so, there is something special about the anthem. Even if you're not Welsh, it's something to admire and something special when they get singing. I look forward to that on Saturday
"Some of the players have mentioned going through Cardiff on the bus, which is apparently just a complete frenzy. I will try and keep my headphones in and stare down the bus rather than get distracted by that. But it's part of it.
"England v Wales is the fixture where form goes out of the window and you get the best of each team. We're excited for that challenge."
Borthwick: I've 'incredible sympathy' for Welsh players
Steve Borthwick sympathises with the plight of Wales' players in their dispute with the Welsh Rugby Union while also plotting their downfall in Cardiff on Saturday.
England have made one change to their starting XV for the Six Nations clash, with Anthony Watson replacing knee injury victim Ollie Hassell-Collins on the left wing.
England's quest for a maiden away win under Borthwick was in danger of not taking place because of the threat of Wales' players going on strike. The contract dispute with the WRU was only settled on Wednesday evening and Borthwick echoes the view given by captain Owen Farrell earlier in the week in empathising with the challenge faced by Warren Gatland's squad.
"Myself and everybody with the England team, we have incredible sympathy for what the Welsh players have gone through," Borthwick said. "No player, no professional athlete, should have to deal with that level of uncertainty and anxiety. We really sympathise with them.
"From our point of view, we've focused on the game and being the best prepared team we possibly can be. Other stuff we can't control, so we just concentrate on what we can do.
"To be part of a fixture like this, it's terrific. We embrace it and we can't wait to get down to Cardiff. There has been a buzz around training the whole week."
Byrne replaces Sexton for Ireland
Andy Farrell has handed first Six Nations starts to half-back pair Ross Byrne and Craig Casey as part of six changes for Ireland's clash with Italy. Fly-half Byrne replaces injured Leinster team-mate Johnny Sexton, while scrum-half Casey comes in for fellow Munster man Conor Murray.
Hooker Ronan Kelleher, lock Iain Henderson, back-row forward Jack Conan and centre Bundee Aki have also been recalled for the visit to Rome.
Henderson's second-row partner James Ryan will captain Farrell's Grand Slam-chasing side at Stadio Olimpico in the absence of Sexton, who sustained a groin issue in the 32-19 round-two win over France, resulting in a rare Test start for Byrne.
The 27-year-old has won 14 of his previous 16 caps as a replacement and spent 20 months in the international wilderness before returning to kick the decisive penalty in November's win over Australia. He has since gone on to dislodge Joey Carbery as first-choice deputy to Sexton, with Munster's Jack Crowley providing back-up from the bench this weekend.
Ireland: H Keenan; M Hansen, G Ringrose, B Aki, J Lowe; R Byrne, C Casey; A Porter, R Kelleher, F Bealham, I Henderson, J Ryan (capt), C Doris, J Van Der Flier, J Conan (Leinster).
Replacements: D Sheehan, D Kilcoyne, T O'Toole, R Baird, P O'Mahony, C Murray, J Crowley, S McCloskey.
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