Here are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, February 17.
Five Wales players head back to English clubs
All Wales-based internationals are set to be present at Wales’ training camp this weekend, along with Toulon’s Dan Biggar, meaning five of Warren Gatland’s Guinness Six Nations squad will travel back to their English clubs.
Louis Rees-Zammit is on Gloucester’s replacements bench for their clash with Harlequins on Friday night, and Leicester Tigers’ Tommy Reffell will face compatriot Nick Tompkins for Saracens’ visit to Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Sunday.
Christ Tshiunza and Dafydd Jenkins will be back in Exeter but will not take to the field with the Chiefs on a rest week of their own.
Webb set for Barbarians return
Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb is reportedly being lined up to make a Barbarians return in May under former England boss Eddie Jones, who is preparing to face a World XV coached by Steve Hansen.
Webb, 34, previously played for Barbarians against England in 2019 and New Zealand in 2022. If the Ospreys do not make the United Rugby Championship final, Webb and team-mate Alun Wyn Jones are set to don the famous Baabaas jersey at Twickenham on May 28.
Similarly, the involvement of all England-based players is contingent on their clubs not being involved in the Premiership final, which will be played out at Twickenham a day earlier.
Former Wales international Kingsley Jones has been announced as his namesake Eddie's assistant coach for the clash.
Would you support Welsh rugby players taking strike action amid contracts turmoil? Have your say here
Dragons face daunting task in Leinster clash
Rhodri Williams has backed Dai Flanagan’s warts-and-all truthfulness as the Dragons bid to get their season back on track. Scrum-half Williams reckons it is a time for honesty at Rodney Parade after six straight defeats in the United Rugby Championship, dating back to November.
The resolve of a team going through tough times will be tested to its utmost on Saturday night, when the Dragons are in Dublin to face mighty, unbeaten, 13 straight wins URC leaders Leinster in a match that is being broadcast live on S4C from 7.30pm, with English commentary available.
Home truths have been a feature of Flanagan’s analysis of recent performances, but Williams is quick to stress that frank talking has been welcomed in the dressing room and responsibility is shared by all.
“We have absolutely needed honest conversations with ourselves and that’s what we have had,” says the No. 9. “I have had honest conversations with Dai myself and that has been respected. He’s straight with everyone. If you start telling different things to different people – or beating around the bush - then you get caught out.
“When things aren’t right in a playing group you have to be honest about that and work on those things. The way the season is structured at the moment, it has given us time to reflect. There are things in our game that we need to put right and we will need to do that against Leinster.”
Last time out, at the end of January, the Dragons shipped 42 points in defeat to Glasgow and it was 30 points at home against the Lions in the last round of the European Challenge Cup. Williams knows that any talk of a revival under Flanagan counts for little if the results are not backing that up and with six matches to go – only one of which is at home – a strong finish is imperative for the feel-good factor of the coach’s appointment to be maintained.
“We are disappointed as a group with recent results, but it is not all doom and gloom,” adds the 29-year-old Williams, who will captain a side boosted by the return from injury of Ross Moriarty. “We should have won more games, but we have patches where we teams go 14-0 or even 21-0 ahead early on.
“We need to start delivering 80-minute performances and the results will change. I see a different attitude under Dai and I believe there is genuine quality in this squad, but it’s no good showing it just in glimpses.”
Watson released by Scotland for Edinburgh's Scarlets fixture
Hamish Watson has been released from the Scotland squad to play for Edinburgh against Scarlets on Saturday. The flanker and hooker Dave Cherry have both been allowed to start in the BKT United Rugby Championship encounter in Llanelli.
Damien Hoyland returns from injury to start on the wing while scrum-half Charlie Shiel and lock Jamie Hodgson have also been recalled. Chris Dean has been named on the bench after recovering from concussion.
Head coach Mike Blair said: "We've had a really focused week of training and the guys are excited to return to league action. That short break during the Six Nations window has given us the opportunity to take stock and reflect on what we're doing well and what we can do better as a team.
"The internationals have come back into training this week and brought a brilliant buzz. We've got a great dynamic across the squad and we feel energised as a group heading into Saturday night's match at Parc y Scarlets.
"Scarlets have been going really well of late and are always strong at home. However, we've had some terrific results on the road so far this season - with URC wins at Cardiff and Zebre - which gives us some confidence heading into a fixture which is hugely important for us as a club."
READ NEXT:
Welsh rugby player banned for unprecedented 192 weeks after physically abusing referee
Mike Phillips says Warren Gatland seems like a different man and has lost his bark
Sam Warburton makes radical suggestion of what must happen now to sort out Welsh rugby mess
