Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, March 16.
Dyer shuts out the negativity
Rio Dyer says the change of scenery has been good for Warren Gatland's squad, adding he is focusing on shutting out negativity surrounding Welsh rugby at present.
Wales players have spent the week in Nice following the win over Italy last weekend, with the French in Paris next up for the men in red.
It's been a difficult Six Nations for Wales on and off the pitch, with contract disputes gaining headlines and a resolution still not reached.
READ MORE: Welsh rugby players' futures unconfirmed almost a month after Wales v England strike called off
Dyer, for his part, says he has been focusing on the rugby, pushing the off-field stuff to one side.
"I play rugby to enjoy it, that's the main thing," the winger said. "Going out there and leaving the negativity aside. There's rugby negativity everywhere, so try and shut that off as much as you can. Just try and focus on what you're here to do and enjoy it as much as you can.
"There's been a lot of pressure back in Wales and for the whole of Welsh rugby it's been a difficult challenge. But we're out in a different place in the sun, not the snow and rain, and that's brought the morale of the boys up a bit.
"It's a big part of what we're trying to do and what we took to Rome especially, try to enjoy the rugby in the little moments. We've got a group of boys who stick together and it's been good out here."
France expecting Welsh bodies on the line
France coach Fabien Galthie says they won't be taking anything for granted against Wales on Saturday.
Les Bleus were at their scintillating best last weekend, sticking 50 points on England at Twickenham to keep their Six Nations hopes well and truly alive.
Ireland are in the box-seat heading into the final round of fixtures but Galthie says they won't be underestimating Wales in Paris, and he expects them to put their bodies on the line.
"Confidence and excess is a good thing, perfect. Is there a risk? Yes," he said.
"This Wales team will come to the Stade de France, they won the Six Nations two years ago, they were in position to win the Grand Slam. We trailed 30-20 at the end. We took away the Grand Slam but not the Six Nations.
"Two seasons is not a lot. It’s a team made up of a team that have won three Grand Slam and some five Six Nations. They have players with 100 and 150 caps. They have always impressed with their virtues, the Welsh, whatever happens, leave their bodies on the line.
"They give everything for a long time, for a long time they tormented France. The match in England pleased us a lot. We’re not going to hide that but we saw we had a lot to improve on. We can play better with and without the ball. We can move better in transition. What’s good is that match, the intensity we played with opened doors and showed us we can play better."
Who will win France v Wales? Have your say here
Farrell makes three changes
Ireland trio Ryan Baird, Jamison Gibson-Park and Robbie Henshaw will make their first starts of this year's Six Nations in Saturday's crunch Grand Slam decider against England.
Lock Baird and centre Henshaw replace injured pair Iain Henderson and Garry Ringrose following last week's bruising 22-7 round-four win away to Scotland.
Scrum-half Gibson-Park came off the bench in Edinburgh and has been preferred to Conor Murray in the only unenforced alteration to Andy Farrell's starting XV.
Hooker Dan Sheehan and number eight Caelan Doris have been passed fit following their premature withdrawals amid the Murrayfield mayhem.
But back-up number two Ronan Kelleher (shoulder) has joined Henderson (arm) and Ringrose (head) in being ruled out.
Fly-half Johnny Sexton will captain the hosts in Dublin as he seeks to celebrate his 60th and final Six Nations outing before retirement by lifting silverware, partnering the recalled Gibson-Park.
Townsend: We can cope without star names
Gregor Townsend is confident Scotland will be able to cope without influential backs Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg for Saturday's match at home to Italy.
The experienced pair are missing through injuries that forced them off in the closing stages of last weekend's defeat by Ireland.
Blair Kinghorn will replace Russell at stand-off and Ollie Smith will take the place of full-back Hogg, as was the case in one of last summer's Tests against Argentina.
Asked if he was confident the rest of his back-line could step up and take responsibility in the absence of the key duo, Townsend said: "Absolutely. We had a similar situation in the summer, when players stepped up in attacking roles, but also stepped up in general play and in terms of our defence.
"So, we've that experience when going up against a top team (without the pair), and that's what we're going up against this week in Italy."
Kinghorn started five consecutive Tests at number 10 for Scotland last year before Russell returned midway through the autumn and reclaimed the position with a string of stunning displays.
It was widely assumed that the versatile Edinburgh back - who has been used as a full-back off the bench in recent matches - would instead take over in the number 15 jersey, with Munster's Ben Healy perhaps in line to play at stand-off.
"We see Blair as a 10 who can play a number of positions," explaining why he has opted for Kinghorn at number 10.
"It's his club position, I know he's had to play in the back three because of injury at Edinburgh but he's played there (at number 10) for the last two seasons."
Atonio back for Wales clash
France prop Uini Atonio returns following a three-match ban as one of two changes for Saturday's Six Nations game against Wales in Paris.
Atonio, who was suspended following a dangerous tackle on Ireland hooker Rob Herring last month, replaces Dorian Aldegheri.
One other switch following Les Bleus' 53-10 demolition of England at Twickenham sees lock Romain Taofifenua start instead of Paul Willemse.
Willemse sustained a hamstring injury during the England game, so Taofifenua forges the second-row partnership alongside Thibaud Flament.
A bonus-point victory would keep France in the Six Nations title hunt ahead of leaders and tournament favourites Ireland hosting England on Saturday evening.
Team: T Ramos; D Penaud, G Fickou, J Danty, E Dumortier; R Ntamack, A Dupont (capt); C Baille, J Marchand, U Atonio, T Flament, R Taofifenua, F Cros, C Ollivon, G Alldritt.
Replacements: P Mauvaka, R Wardi, S Falatea, B Chalureau, S Macalou, M Lucu, Y Moefana, M Jaminet.
READ MORE:
