Here are the latest rugby headlines on Monday, December 19.
Carter in Six Nations fitness race
Wales and Dragons lock Ben Carter is in a race to be fit for the Six Nations due to an ankle injury suffered in the warm-up for the Lions draw in South Africa earlier this month.
The 21-year-old has subsequently missed both of his club's Challenge Cup games, while the BBC now reports that he will miss the festive derby period.
"Ben will be out until just before the Six Nations probably but there is no operation required," Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan said. "It's good for him that it's not a very long-term injury, so he can getting cracking with his rehab now.
"He is a talented kid and we are going to miss him, just like we miss Will Rowlands, but we trust Joe Davies, Matthew Screech, George Nott, Sean Lonsdale and Huw Taylor, so we will be fine there."
Dragons lost their second Challenge Cup tie 21-27 at home to Pau at the weekend. They next host Cardiff Rugby on Boxing Day and Scarlets on New Year's Day.
Warren Gatland's Wales begin their Six Nations campaign against Ireland on February 4.
Steve Borthwick appointed England head coach
By Andrew Baldock, PA Rugby Union Correspondent
Steve Borthwick has been appointed as England men's head coach on a five-year contract.
Borthwick, 43, masterminded Leicester's Gallagher Premiership title triumph last season, and he succeeds Eddie Jones in English rugby's top job. Jones was sacked almost two weeks ago after presiding over England's worst year of results since 2008, managing only five wins from 12 games.
The Rugby Football Union also announced that Leicester assistant coach and former Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield will join Borthwick as defence coach at Twickenham. Borthwick will take up his England role from today, the RFU said, with Sinfield beginning work later this week.
"I am deeply honoured to be appointed England head coach, and I am very excited by the challenge," Borthwick said, in a statement released by the RFU. "The English game is full of talent and I want to build a winning team which makes the most of our huge potential and inspires young people to fall in love with rugby union the way I did.
"I want the whole country to be proud of us and to enjoy watching us play. The hard work starts now and planning for the Guinness Six Nations and Rugby World Cup begins today. I will give it everything."
Leicester have moved quickly after agreeing terms for Borthwick and Sinfield to be released early from their club contracts. Tigers have appointed Richard Wigglesworth as interim head coach, with the former Leicester and Saracens scrum-half retiring from playing.
Borthwick, a former England skipper and ex-England forwards coach, won 57 caps and played almost 400 times for Bath and Saracens as an outstanding second-row forward. He joined Leicester as head coach in 2020, transforming their fortunes from a club in the Premiership's lower reaches to title winners.
Doddie Weir's wife thankful for 'overwhelming' support
By Gavin McCafferty, PA
Doddie Weir's wife expressed her gratitude for the "overwhelming" support her family has received ahead of the former Scotland international and charity fundraiser's memorial service. Hundreds of people from the world of rugby union and beyond gathered at Melrose Parish Church, which overlooks the Borders town's rugby club, where Weir won three Scottish titles in the early 1990s.
Weir died aged 52 last month following a six-year battle with motor neurone disease (MND). The 6ft 6in former farmer, who played for Newcastle and Borders Reivers after turning professional, helped raise more than £8million for research into MND through his charity, My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.
In a statement, Kathy Weir said: "We would like to thank everyone who has been so incredibly supportive over the last two weeks. As a family, we have been overwhelmed by the many messages we have received from all over the world. They have brought great comfort to me and the boys.
"We really appreciate people taking the time to share their own memories of Doddie and let us know we are in their thoughts. The memorial service will give those attending a chance to pay their respects and come together in Doddie's name. We understand not everyone will be able to make it, particularly given the time of year, but we know you're all thinking of us."
You can see all the pictures and read details of the service here.
Moved Champions Cup game cost Ulster 'around £700,000'
Ulster say their Champions Cup game which was controversially played behind closed doors at Dublin's Aviva Stadium due to Kingspan Stadium pitch concerns cost them "around £700,000".
The Irish province and Champions Cup organisers will "carry out a full review" after Saturday's game with La Rochelle was moved from Kingspan after a week of sub-zero temperatures. The European Professional Club Rugby decision was made on Friday "due to concerns over the safety of the playing surface", while Ulster used frost covers and heaters in attempts to preserve the playing surface.
Ulster CEO Jonny Petrie had said the move cost Ulster "around £700,000", while head coach Dan McFarland said: "The bottom line is the decision was wrong".
Petrie said that match referee Luke Pearce had found parts of the pitch were still unplayable during a pitch inspection at around 2pm on Friday, but with temperatures set to rise Petrie believed another survey at 10am on Saturday was reasonable.
The match went ahead at the Aviva Stadium without any Ulster fans in attendance, but a "large official delegation" from La Rochelle was permitted to attend. Petrie tweeted to say the decision to allow the delegation entry was the decision of the EPCR and Ulster "would be subject to legal action for compensation if they weren't permitted entry".
Holders La Rochelle ran out 36-29 winners, which condemned Ulster to two defeats in their opening two Champions Cup matches.
An Ulster statement said: "The team's focus is now firmly on preparing for next weekend's URC fixture against Connacht, so we will not be making any further comment at this time."
Richard Wigglesworth grateful to Steve Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield
Leicester's interim boss Richard Wigglesworth has expressed gratitude to Steve Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield for their impact on his career.
Wigglesworth has taken Tigers' head coach reins with immediate effect and will be in charge for the Gallagher Premiership game against Gloucester at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Christmas Eve. He has announced his retirement as a player following a career that saw him clock up a record 322 Premiership games and win 33 England caps.
While Borthwick and Sinfield prepare for life with England, Wigglesworth steps into a role that will see him supported at Tigers by head of physical performance Aled Walters, plus assistant coaches Brett Deacon, Matt Everard, Tom Harrison and Matt Smith.
"There is so much to be excited about for what is to come for this great group of players, coaches and staff at Leicester Tigers," Wigglesworth said. "The decision to retire from playing was not easy. I have given absolutely everything to my playing career and loved every minute of being a professional rugby player.
"My family have given everything too and I, quite literally, could not have achieved what I have without them. I would not have taken on the head coach role of Leicester Tigers if I did not believe there was a group of players and coaches who are committed to being successful and, with those at this club, that cannot be questioned.
"I am grateful to Steve and Kev for what they have taught me, how they have challenged me and the friendship I have with both. Myself and Leicester Tigers are better for having worked with them. While it is a bitter-sweet day, there is no time to dwell on anything. There is a job to be done this weekend at Mattioli Woods Welford Road against Gloucester, and all of my focus is now on preparing the team for our next game."
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