Here are the latest rugby headlines on Monday, January 23.
Owens shocked by Gatland call
Ken Owens has revealed he was stunned to receive a call from Warren Gatland offering him the Wales captaincy.
Owens was perhaps a surprise selection to lead the team for the first time at the age of 36, beating the likes of Dan Biggar, Justin Tipuric and Alun Wyn Jones to the role. Gatland believes Owens is the perfect choice given the high regard he is held in by his team-mates and he delivered the news 24 hours before revealing his squad.
Owens said: "I had a call from Warren on the Monday afternoon. He's had a new number since he was here last so I wasn't sure who it was. As soon as he started speaking I knew who it was. It was massive shock but also a huge honour as well. It means a lot to me and my family and everybody who has supported me.
"It's a new challenge and a new accolade that I haven't achieved in my career. It's come as a shock to some people but I think we have a strong leadership group where we all take responsibility. You look at the boys who have captained Wales over the last number of years. They are world class players and hugely experienced. I'm sure nothing will change and we'll all support each other and lead the Welsh team into a new era."
Gatland's help with picking Six Nations squad
Wales coach Warren Gatland has revealed assistants Jonathan Humphreys and Neil Jenkins had a huge say in the selection of his Six Nations squad because they know a lot of the players better than him.
Gatland relied on the two members of Wayne Pivac's coaching team he has kept on, also having input himself. He ended naming a large 37-man squad packed with a mix of older and younger stars who have never previously played under the Kiwi.
“The challenge is getting to know a number of younger players. The selection of the squad relied heavily on the other coaches that have worked with players within the squad. I had some of my own input but they had a massive input," Gatland told the Six Nations website.
“I never thought I’d be back in Wales but this is an opportunity to be involved again with the Six Nations and the World Cup.
“The great thing about World Cup years is the amount of time you get to spend with the squad as preparation, it’s a bit like working with a club side.
“There is no better time to get Ireland, they will probably be a bit underdone like us, and we’ll be playing at home so there is no greater motivation for us.”
Dallaglio so impressed by Ospreys
England World Cup legend Lawrence Dallaglio has been blown away by the Ospreys, describing them as the story of the European season.
Dallaglio is hugely impressed at the consecutive victories over French champions Montpellier home and away, and the epic last-gasp victory at Leicester Tigers last weekend. Those results have seen the Welsh side reach the knockout stages of Europe's top competition for the first time in 13 years.
Dallaglio told BT Sport: "The Ospreys are the story of the competition so far. To go to Montpellier and win and do the same in Leicester, to beat the French and English champions, you thoroughly deserve your place in the last 16.
“They were resilient enough to stay in the fight through their defence and then showed their game management and attacking skills. They have got so much quality across their back row and that can sometimes really keep them in big games.”
Dallaglio continued: “Since Warren Gatland has been announced as coming back to Wales, suddenly there has been a huge lift. It was all doom and gloom in Welsh rugby. He comes back and suddenly some of their best players are playing very well. There are some Welsh players really putting their hand up.”
Sexton fit to play Wales
Captain Johnny Sexton joked that a cheekbone problem was the best facial injury to suffer as he declared himself fit for Ireland's Guinness Six Nations opener against Wales.
The influential fly-half underwent surgery early this month following a collision with Connacht's Jarrad Butler while playing for Leinster on New Year's Day.
Sexton missed his province's last three games, including Heineken Champions Cup victories over Gloucester and former club Racing 92, and has been training in a face mask.
But the 37-year-old expects to be involved when the world's number one side launch their campaign in Cardiff on February 4.
"(I'm) good to go; I was training last week, just had a funny face mask on," said Sexton.
"Keep that on this week in training and it comes off next week, so good to go next week.
"At the time the European games were at the forefront of my mind. When you figure out you're not going to be able to play in them, the Six Nations then (comes to mind).
"But from early doors, the surgeon and the doctor they were fine and just said it's probably the best injury to have on your face, so that was nice to know!
"If you could pick one bone, pick that one."
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England injury problems
Courtney Lawes has become a major doubt for England's Six Nations opener against Scotland as Steve Borthwick contends with a mounting casualty list that includes an escalating crisis at hooker.
In the latest setback to an injury-hit season, Lawes incurred calf damage during Northampton's clash with La Rochelle on Saturday and undergoes a scan on Monday.
The 33-year-old flanker missed the autumn because of concussion before his comeback was further delayed by a glute injury and now one of England's two vice-captains will miss at least one week of training.
Although yet to be ruled out of the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham on February 4, Lawes' prospects are looking bleak, leading to David Ribbans' promotion into the 36-man squad that gathers on Monday night.
George McGuigan could also miss the opener because of a knee injury, placing strain on England's resources at hooker in the wake of the concussion sustained by Jamie George while on Saracens duty against Edinburgh on Sunday.
George will undergo the return to play protocols and, with Luke Cowan-Dickie missing at least the start of the Six Nations because of an ankle injury, the options in the number two jersey are dwindling.
Tom Dunn of Bath fills the vacancy in the squad created by McGuigan's knee issue with uncapped rookie Jack Walker the only other hooker in the squad.
In addition, versatile back Elliot Daly and prop Mako Vunipola are struggling with respective hamstring and foot problems and are awaiting medical assessment.
Read more:
Wales star set to be ruled out of Six Nations as Gatland names replacement last picked six years ago
Welsh Rugby Union accused of 'toxic culture' as former employees go public
Jamie George incident sparks outrage and calls for investigation
