Here are your rugby morning headlines for Friday, 23 February.
Wales star ‘among the finest on the earth’
Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins says it is an honour to play with Tommy Reffell, calling the openside “among the finest on the earth”.
The pair have been two of the standout performers for Wales within the opening rounds of the Six Nations, with Reffell specifically shining in Wales’ two defeats to Scotland and England.
Given Ireland’s capacity to generate fast ruck velocity, there is a sense that Reffell must be on the fore to ensure that Wales to face any probability in Dublin.
“He might be among the finest on the earth at that and he’s proved that within the final couple of weeks and it’s an honour to play with him,” mentioned Jenkins. “We’ve all obtained to step up in that division, however he’s main the way in which when it comes to his performances.
“When you see a participant doing particular issues like he did at Twickenham and towards Scotland, it makes you wish to increase your sport.”
On Ireland being heavy favourites this weekend, Jenkins added: “We have had that underdog tag for fairly some time now, however nonetheless not profitable. We are actually chasing that win and there’s no strain on us – we’ve obtained nothing to lose. We simply have to go on the market, depart all the things on the market and see what can occur.
“You don’t like being underdogs, since you work so exhausting to be the perfect, however that’s the state we’re in. Fair play to Ireland, they’re a category outfit and have demonstrated why they’re the perfect crew on the earth within the final couple of weeks.
“Their breakdown is huge and so they have some class gamers for us to match up towards.”
GATLAND Q&A: My robust choice name after Wales star’s nerves in opening match
READ MORE: Wales head to Dublin with ‘no worry’ as Ireland put together for Gatland’s ‘tips’
Irish star challenged to ‘show level’ towards Wales
Andy Farrell says full-back Ciaran Frawley has a ‘level to show’ in his first Ireland begin in Saturday’s Six Nations home sport towards Wales after Hugo Keenan was dominated out by harm.
The 26-year-old will earn his third cap after being picked at full-back, with Farrell saying he “deserves his probability”. Frawley has made nearly all of his Leinster appearances both at centre or fly-half, however a knee harm to Keenan – who has been a mainstay for Ireland in recent years – sees Frawley earn his first begin for his nation within the 15 jersey.
“We began the marketing campaign with him over there [at our training camp] in Portugal,” mentioned the Ireland coach. “He was coaching as a 15. It’s very pure for him to fill that position.”
“It’s thrilling for him. He’s all the time been in and across the squad and pushing,” added the Ireland coach.
“The versatility that Frawls has obtained has all the time earmarked him for a bench spot. He’s all the time been ready for this opportunity. Hugo would not get injured an excessive amount of.
“He’s had an urge for food to wish to get to one of these position so now it’s come round I’m certain it’s an enormous second for him and his household.
“But it’s all about performing. It’s all about taking your chance. All you need is a chance. It’s up to the individuals to go and take that and prove a point.”
SIGN UP: Get the brand new unique Inside Welsh rugby e-newsletter for full perception into what’s actually occurring round all the large points. This particular provide will get you full access for all the 12 months for simply £10 as a substitute of £40.
Overlooked England star informed to cease ‘sulking’
Former England hooker Dylan Hartley has recommended that Zach Mercer shouldn’t be sulking over his Six Nations non-selection by Steve Borthwick.
Gloucester back-row Mercer recommended final month that Borthwick hasn’t given him a good crack of the whip. However, Hartley says that there are all the time going to be gamers who miss out.
Now Mercer’s former England teammate Hartley has contrasted the No.8’s perspective with New Zealand’s talent-rich surroundings, the place not all can play but sulking is uncommon.
“If you have a look at New Zealand as compared, there’s 5 tremendous groups and never all 5 quantity eights can play for the All Blacks,” Hartley informed Gambling Zone. “There are all the time gamers which might be going to overlook out, however you don’t hear them sulking.
“Ultimately, Steve Borthwick has a means that he needs to play the sport, Eddie Jones had a means that he needed to play the sport and so they each decide gamers to suit that. I’d not have had a profession if each coach I performed for didn’t prioritise set piece.
“I used to be sometimes 5 to eight kilos heavier than most hookers and my set piece was very regular. I used to be all the time within the 90% for my line out and the scrum obtained a little bit bit simpler in the direction of the top of my profession. There are all the time going to raised gamers.
“Mikey Haywood at Northampton was way more dynamic as was Jamie George and Tom Youngs. Lee Mears was extra skilful than me. I used to be each coach’s most popular participant as a result of I used to be heavier and my set piece. It’s simply one among this stuff that the gamers who aren’t within the squad or not enjoying must take care of.
“Eddie needed measurement and weight and Billy Vunipola had that in luggage, like 10 kilo luggage greater than everybody else. It’s one among this stuff. Zach Mercer performs an excellent sport and I really like him as a participant and he’s an excellent bloke, however how does Steve Borthwick need the steadiness of his again row to look?
“I’m undecided that Zach Mercer suits into that. Ultimately, Borthwick may have his favorite participant for quantity eight and he can’t decide all of them.”
Listen to the latest Welsh Rugby Podcast right here:
Scotland prepared for ‘greatest sport of the season’
By PA
Gregor Townsend says Scotland’s sole focus is on profitable their “biggest game of the season” towards England this weekend and sustaining their recent dominance of the Calcutta Cup.
The Scots go into Saturday’s showdown with their bitter rivals figuring out they are going to almost actually require a victory to remain in competition for the Guinness Six Nations title after their controversial defeat by France final day out.
Townsend is adamant that any lingering injustice from ‘trygate’ a fortnight in the past has been parked and that any speak of contending for the title can stay firmly on the backburner till after their high-stakes encounter with Steve Borthwick’s facet.
“When you’re coming in off the back of a defeat, you have to bounce back with a victory,” mentioned Townsend, when requested on Thursday how the France defeat has left his facet’s title prospects.
“You’re not likely desirous about the championship. We’ll see the place we’re on Saturday. The full focus is on this sport as a result of it’s our most essential sport of the season.
“It’s crucial sport for our supporters and we additionally play for a trophy, in amongst the Triple Crown and different trophies. But that is one which we’re targeted on greater than the others. That most likely shouldn’t be the case, however it’s.
“It’s history. It’s emotion. We’ve seen the impact this game has on Scottish supporters when we do manage to get a victory in this fixture. That’ll drive us on Saturday.”
Having crushed England solely thrice in 27 makes an attempt between 1990 and 2018, the Scots now discover themselves going into this weekend’s fixture on the again of a three-game profitable run and having misplaced solely one among their final six conferences with their old foes.
Townsend, who was accustomed to common defeats towards England in his time as a participant, admits his crew’s recent burst of Calcutta Cup success has given them elevated perception going into Saturday’s match.
“Yes, for sure,” he mentioned. “The sport in 2018 (Scotland’s first win over England in a decade) has actually given the gamers confidence once they’ve taken on England in the previous few video games.
“But what’s most related is the sport you’ve simply performed, the issues you must work on to be a greater crew, and the threats that England carry.
“This England team is different to the one we faced 12 months ago but ultimately it’s just about delivering in the 80 minutes on the day.”
