The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world
These are your evening rugby headlines on Tuesday, February 3.
Wales coach blown away by players
Wales assistant coach Danny Wilson says he has been “amazed” by the squad’s approach to this year’s Six Nations with off-field matters continuing to dominate headlines ahead of their tournament opener against England.
With Ospreys owners Y11 set to buy Cardiff, the region are currently not guaranteed a future beyond June 2027, with the Welsh Rugby Union confirming its intention to cut the number of professional sides in Wales from four to three.
Angry supporters staged a protest ahead of the Ospreys v Dragons match last weekend, while a host of former players have signed a joint statement to express their dismay over the situation.
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With uncertainty continuing to hang over the future of Welsh rugby, off-field matters were expected to serve as a major distraction in Wales’ Six Nations preparations, but Wilson has been blown away by how the group has approached the upcoming tournament.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the former Harlequins boss said Steve Tandy’s squad are “so passionate about winning for Wales” and improving their game, with players “really buying into” the coaches’ philosophy.
“I’ve been amazed by this group,” said Wilson when asked if the Six Nations presented an opportunity to provide some positivity for Welsh rugby.
“They’re a fantastic group of players. There’s a few differences in terms of different faces from autumn into this campaign, and we’re learning about this group collectively and individually.
“The kind of connection side of what we’re trying to create has come through, and the players have really bought into that. This is a group so passionate about winning for Wales, so passionate about improving.
“Our aim at the moment is to make sure we keep doing that step-by-step to be able to get to a place where the results take care of themselves, if you like,” he added.
“As for other parts of Welsh rugby, Six Nations is such an exciting competition and we get a chance at Twickenham with the first one, and then roll into some really exciting games that hopefully we can put some positive performances together to, like I said, build for what we want to be.”
New Six Nations change announced
France and Ireland will compete for a new trophy when they kick off this year’s Six Nations later this week.
The two teams will make history by playing a championship match on a Thursday night for the first time ever, but another change to the traditional format has now been announced, with a new piece of silverware now up for grabs.
With seven trophies already on offer across the tournament – aside from the championship trophy and Triple Crown – this year will also mark the introduction of the Solidarity Trophy, which will be awarded to the winner of France v Ireland on an annual basis, starting from Thursday.
The trophy’s “striking” spiral design is said symbolise “connection, shared history and the enduring bond between the two countries,” with Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll hailing it as a “great addition to the game”.
“Ireland and France have shared some extraordinary moments on the rugby pitch over the years, moments that live long in the memory of players and supporters alike,” he said.
“The Solidarity Trophy is a powerful symbol of that rivalry and, more importantly, of the respect and friendship that underpins it. It’s a great addition to the game that we now have a trophy to celebrate everything that makes this fixture so special.”
IRFU President Dr John O’Driscoll added: “The Solidarity / Solidarité Trophy reflects the deep and enduring relationship between Irish and French rugby, and between our two nations – a shared history, shared values, and a shared belief in rugby as a force for connection.
“We are immensely proud to introduce a trophy that recognises one of the great rivalries in international rugby. It is also significant that the trophy is being awarded for both the men’s and women’s games. This is a statement of intent about the future we are building together through our sport.”
Florian Gill, President of the French Federation of Rugby, said: “Matches between France and Ireland have always represented the very best of international rugby, combining intensity with deep mutual respect. The Solidarity / Solidarité Trophy is a meaningful symbol of that relationship and of the shared values that unite our two countries and rugby communities.
“We are particularly proud to see this trophy come to life and delighted that, for the first time, it will be awarded to the winners of the Six Nations fixtures in both the men’s and women’s competitions. This decision reflects the equal importance our two countries place on our male and female internationals alike.
“Deeply committed to the development and growth of women’s rugby, I see this as a strong statement — one that represents a united, inclusive game looking firmly to the future.”
France v Ireland squads announced
By Edward Elliot, Press Association
Brothers Sam and Cian Prendergast will start together for Ireland for the first time in Thursday evening’s Guinness Six Nations opener away to reigning champions France.
Leinster fly-half Sam, 22, has been retained ahead of Jack Crowley and Harry Byrne, while Connacht captain Cian, 25, lines up at blindside flanker to make his championship debut.
Head coach Andy Farrell has been juggling a host of injury issues ahead of the visit to Stade de France.
With prop options severely depleted, Jeremy Loughman and Thomas Clarkson will start at loosehead and tighthead respectively, either side of hooker Dan Sheehan. Joe McCarthy partners Tadhg Beirne in the second row, while captain Caelan Doris and openside flanker Josh van der Flier join Cian Prendergast in the back row.
Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park will partner Sam Prendergast. With the suspended Bundee Aki and injured Robbie Henshaw unavailable, Stuart McCloskey starts at inside centre, with Garry Ringrose in the number 13 jersey.
Jacob Stockdale has been preferred to James Lowe on the left wing, while Tommy O’Brien starts on the right. Jamie Osborne begins at full-back in the injury absence of Hugo Keenan.
Farrell has opted for a six-two split of forwards and backs on his bench, with Ronan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Jack Conan and Nick Timoney joined by scrum-half Craig Casey and fly-half Crowley.
As for France, Antoine Dupont will return to captain the defending champions, with the Toulouse scrum-half making his first appearance at international level since rupturing the ACL in his right knee during Les Bleus’ 42-27 win in Dublin last February.
Head coach Fabien Galthie raised some eyebrows by leaving centre Gael Fickou and wing Damian Penaud out of his squad for the championship but has named a formidable backline.
In the absence of injured fly-half Romain Ntamack, Matthieu Jalibert will partner Dupont, while Louis Bielle-Biarrey – last year’s player of the tournament after scoring eight tries – starts on the left wing. Yoram Moefana is joined by Nicolas Depoortere in midfield, with Theo Attissogbe on the right wing and Thomas Ramos at full-back.
Galthie also overlooked former captain Gregory Alldritt for his squad before veteran prop Uini Atonio was forced to retire due to a heart problem. Anthony Jelonch takes Alldritt’s place at number eight, between flankers Francois Cros and Oscar Jegou.
Props Jean-Baptiste Gros and Dorian Aldegheri pack down with hooker Julian Marchand in the front row, ahead of locks Charles Ollivon and Mickael Guillard.
Ireland: J Osborne; T O’Brien, G Ringrose, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; J Loughman, D Sheehan, T Clarkson, J McCarthy, T Beirne, C Prendergast, J Van der Flier, C Doris (capt)
Replacements: R Kelleher, M Milne, F Bealham, J Ryan, J Conan, N Timoney, C Casey, J Crowley
France: T Ramos; T Attissogbe, N Depoortere, Y Moefana, L Bielle-Biarrey; M Jalibert, A Dupont (capt); J Gros, J Marchand, D Aldegheri, C Ollivon, M Guillard, F Cros, O Jegou, A Jelonch.
Replacements: P Mauvaka, R Neti, R Montagne, H Auradou, E Meafou, L Nouchi, B Serin, K Gourgues.