The latest rugby news and headlines from Wales and beyond
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Friday, March 13.
WRU hit back at Swansea Council
The Welsh Rugby Union has hit back at Swansea Council after minutes of a controversial meeting were published on Friday.
Back in January, the WRU met with Swansea Council and Ospreys CEO Lance Bradley to discuss the future of the Ospreys following the proposed purchase of Cardiff Rugby by Ospreys’ owners Y11.
A full account of the meeting has now been published by the council, with long-term Ospreys benefactor Rob Davies also insisting that the number of regions in Wales needs to stay at four.
The minutes released by the council attribute clear suggestions from Bradley there would be no professional Ospreys team playing at St Helen’s if the Y11 deal goes through.
The publication has led to the WRU hitting back in a statement. You can read the minutes in full here.
“The WRU notes that Swansea Council has chosen to publish its purported minutes of a meeting with Abi Tierney, WRU Chief Executive, and Lance Bradley, Chief Executive of the Ospreys, on 21 January 2026. Our position has been clear and consistent throughout,” said a statement from the governing body. “This was a confidential meeting.
“It was not formally minuted – as Swansea Council themselves acknowledge. The notes are not an accurate reflection of what was said, and Abi Tierney has stated this throughout.
“Indeed, her own comments on the notes – now published without her consent – make clear that she did not say what is purported. The WRU has behaved professionally and courteously throughout and has nothing further to add.”
Swansea Council said it had no alternative but to provide a full version of the minutes – despite the meeting initially being described as being confidential – following comments by the WRU’s chief executive earlier this week in which she said no decision on the future of the Ospreys has been taken.
Council leader Rob Stewart says those comments were “misleading”.
You can read the minutes here.
England star breaks silence after captain’s ‘explosion’
England fly-half Fin Smith has joked that he will punch England skipper Maro Itoje after their heated discussion in last week’s defeat to Italy in Rome.
The England captain was involved in an animated discussion with Smith and vice-captains Ellis Genge and Jamie George during the early stages of the second half in the 23-18 Guinness Six Nations loss that has left England in turmoil.
The exchange revolved around whether to kick for goal from a penalty or opt for an attacking lineout, resulting in Itoje telling Smith firmly: “Don’t argue with me. Take the three”.
Smith has also addressed the incident while speaking to the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast – joking he would punch the second-row if it happened again.
“I was unaware that a lot has been made of it,” said Smith. “Maro’s a great mate of mine. We’ve got a good relationship and I think it’s the same way you speak to a good mate or a brother.
“Always around penalties you want to give your opinion, but at the end of the day the captain makes the final decision.
“He was well within his rights to put his foot down and tell us what we’re doing.”
He added: “I thought it was funny. Me and Maro have been joking about it this week and I told him if he shouts at me like that again, I’m going to punch him!”
Wales need win to reach ‘par’
Wales U20s coach Richard Whiffin says his side need to beat Italy on Sunday for a “par” Six Nations.
This tournament has contained some strong performances, going close to beating England and France in the opening rounds. A win over Scotland followed, before a high-scoring 48-33 defeat to Ireland.
Whiffin believes there’s plenty of encouragement, but they need to end the campaign with a victory.
“If we get the win on Sunday it’s par but with the anticipation of being really excited going into the World Championship knowing that we can go toe to toe with anyone,” said Whiffin.
“The players know that we can beat anyone on any given day, so we need to make sure we back up these performances.”
He added: “We’ve grown a fair bit of depth because we will have used 35 players, given opportunities and can pick horses for courses.
“I’ve got to get the group down to 30 for the World Championship and it will be a good group whoever goes out there.”
Andy Farrell believes England are capable of helping Ireland by shocking France
By Edward Elliot, Press Association, Dublin
Ireland boss Andy Farrell insists “anything can happen” in the final round of the Guinness Six Nations and believes under-fire England are capable of doing his side a favour against France.
In a tantalising three-way tussle for the title, Ireland and Scotland will go toe-to-toe for the Triple Crown in Dublin and the chance to move top of the championship table.
The victors will then need England to spring a major surprise in Paris in the final fixture of ‘Super Saturday’ to prevent Fabien Galthie’s defending champions returning to the summit.
Having been talked up as title contenders before the tournament, England are in serious danger of finishing with four defeats from five amid intense pressure on head coach Steve Borthwick.
France, meanwhile, will attempt to bounce back from blowing the chance to retain the championship crown with a game to spare following last weekend’s gripping 50-40 defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield.
Asked if England have the quality to cause a shock at Stade de France, Farrell said: “Of course, look at the (results in the) competition. Of course they do, 100 per cent.
“Everyone knows the players that they’ve got and the coaching staff that they’ve got and what they’re capable of.
“And when a team is a little bit wounded as well, anything can happen.
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“But at the same time the French are hurting as well and they’re in the driving seat as far (they have) a home game and they know they can win a championship.
“It’s a fantastic position to be in as a neutral watching the Six Nations this weekend. But nothing would surprise me – exactly the same as last weekend.”
England boss Borthwick is fighting for his future following a landmark first defeat by Italy in round four.
Asked to assess England’s tournament, Farrell, whose team registered a record 42-21 win at Twickenham in round three, replied: “Honestly, I’ve absolutely no comment on that whatsoever. You’re cheeky to ask.
“We’ve enough on our plate with a big game to win at the weekend.”
In order to be reliant on England, Ireland must first register a 12th consecutive victory over Scotland.
Farrell is taking nothing for granted as the hosts bid to extend a remarkable run dating back to 2018.
“They’re a fantastic squad and fantastic team and given any type of room to be able to play the game that they want to play, they’ll beat anyone in the world on their day, as they’ve proved,” he said of the Scots.
“That’s how we approach every single game and this one’s no different.”
Ireland’s hopes of igniting a St Patrick’s weekend party at a sold-out Aviva Stadium could hinge on their ability to shackle Finn Russell.
The influential fly-half was one of 13 Scotland players selected by Farrell for last summer’s victorious British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.
“Getting to know him, first and foremost he’s a great lad, cares about his rugby,” said Farrell.
“People think he’s laid back but he knows what he’s after. He understands how to run a team and you can see why he’s been so successful and why people rate him so highly.
“I’m sure he’ll be wanting to put that on the field on Saturday.”