England head coach Steve Borthwick and Wales skipper Ken Owens spoke to media this week, whereas Hamish Watson is again within the Scotland facet to face France…

We take a look at the information coming from every camp forward of the weekend’s Six Nations Spherical 3 encounters as Wales host England, France welcome Scotland and Eire journey to Italy…

Owens: Wales want win after horrendous two weeks; I by no means wish to expertise this once more | Borthwick has ‘unimaginable sympathy’

Forward of Wales’ conflict vs England in Cardiff, an exhausted-looking Welsh skipper Ken Owens spoke to media on Friday after a vastly tumultuous week for rugby within the nation.

The most recent instalment of one in every of rugby union’s fiercest rivalries was hit by the specter of Wales gamers taking strike motion.

That was averted late on Wednesday after compromises had been discovered with Welsh rugby powerbrokers over points like Wales’ 60-cap choice coverage for gamers plying their commerce outdoors the nation, and fixed-variable contracts.

“I am not going to lie and say it has been a simple two weeks. It has been one thing I am going to positively study from, and I am going to by no means wish to expertise once more, If I am being fully trustworthy,” Owens stated on the Principality Stadium.

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Wales captain Ken Owens says he by no means desires to expertise a repeat of the off-field saga that has occurred to Welsh rugby once more

“We want a win. To get satisfaction again within the shirt after two defeats and, like I stated, a horrendous two weeks, however we are able to solely concentrate on the rugby now.

“Transferring ahead, that is what we have to focus on. It is about getting a outcome on Saturday to place some satisfaction again into the shirt.

“I spoke about that within the first week of the Six Nations, and I do not really feel we have carried out that but.

“I am simply making an attempt to complete this saga on a optimistic.”

Owens termed Wales the “laughing inventory of world rugby” earlier within the week, whereas head coach Warren Gatland has spoken of “drawing a line within the sand” on off-field points.

Gatland delayed naming his group by 48 hours with the England recreation underneath severe risk of not going forward.

However with the inexperienced mild given and Gatland having chosen a facet exhibiting 9 modifications, together with no locations for British and Irish Lions trio George North, Dan Biggar and Liam Williams, Saturday can not come quickly sufficient.

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Owens beforehand stated Welsh rugby was at the moment the ‘laughing inventory’ of world rugby and urged everybody concerned to tug collectively

“These are circumstances which were introduced on by ourselves, and we are able to solely take accountability for these issues ourselves,” Gatland stated, reflecting on occasions of the previous week, having stated earlier within the week he “wouldn’t assist a participant strike”.

“The main focus must be purely on coaching nicely, drawing a line within the sand with what has occurred after which bringing out the eagerness, historical past and expectation that comes with an England-Wales fixture.

“I used to be requested by the gamers to not title the group on Tuesday, and that was as a lot about as defending them as nicely.

“If the sport did get known as off with naming a 23, then abruptly these 23 gamers are within the highlight and nearly being accused of calling the sport off.

“So it was as a lot about defending the gamers within the squad till we had affirmation that the sport was going forward.”

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Wales head coach Warren Gatland says his gamers should concentrate on Saturday’s Six Nations conflict with England after their contract row was resolved

Cap centurions Biggar and North are changed by Ospreys’ Owen Williams and 20-year-old Cardiff centre Mason Grady respectively, with Grady making his Take a look at debut. Biggar drops to the bench, however North and Liam Williams miss out fully.

“The message to them (North and Williams) is similar I gave to the squad on day one,” Gatland stated.

“We might be among the gamers on this group who have not had a whole lot of rugby. We have to expose younger gamers, however hold some expertise round them.

“There’s a whole lot of work for us to proceed to do as a gaggle to get higher and the degrees I do know we are able to get to. We’re not at these ranges but.

“There’s doubtlessly somewhat extra ache to undergo, however I’m assured we are going to come via the opposite facet.”

Gatland added: “For each of us (Wales and England), this recreation is completely huge.

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Wales’ Gareth Thomas says the gamers are eager to place the contract dispute behind them forward of Saturday’s Six Nations conflict with England

“If we win on Saturday, then we go away to Italy and France and we are able to end the Six Nations on an actual optimistic.

“For (England), a loss on Saturday and their final two video games are France and Eire, that are fairly difficult as nicely.”

On the England facet, head coach Steve Borthwick sympathises with the plight of Wales’ gamers of their dispute with the Welsh Rugby Union whereas plotting their downfall in Cardiff.

“Myself and all people with the England group, we have now unimaginable sympathy for what the Welsh gamers have gone via,” Borthwick stated.

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Steve Borthwick admits that his sole focus as England head coach is to re-build the group

“No participant, no skilled athlete, ought to need to cope with that stage of uncertainty and anxiousness. We actually sympathise with them.

“From our viewpoint, we have centered on the sport and being the very best ready group we presumably might be. Different stuff we will not management, so we simply focus on what we are able to do.

“To be a part of a fixture like this, it is terrific. We embrace it and we will not wait to get right down to Cardiff. There was a buzz round coaching all week.”

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Leicester Tigers and England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet reveals that regardless of the drama surrounding this weekend’s Six Nations conflict in Cardiff, England are absolutely ready

Staff Information

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Mason Grady, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Louis Res-Zammit, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Tomos Williams; 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Ken Owens (c), 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 5 Adam Beard, 6 Christ Tshiunza, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: 16 Bradley Roberts, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Dan Biggar, 23 Nick Tompkins.

England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Max Malins, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 11 Anthony Watson, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Jack van Poortvliet; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Ollie Chessum, 5 Maro Itoje, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 7 Jack Willis, 8 Alex Dombrandt

Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Ben Curry, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Henry Arundell.

Townsend: Scotland have to go up a couple of ranges for French Take a look at

Gregor Townsend has challenged his Scotland gamers to “go up a couple of ranges” as he backed them to cope with the formidable take a look at they face towards France in Paris this weekend.

The Scots sit stage on factors with Eire on the high of the Six Nations desk after opening their marketing campaign with bonus-point wins away to England and at residence to Wales.

Nevertheless, head coach Townsend feels they might want to present additional enchancment if they’re to keep up their good begin within the Stade de France towards the facet ranked second on the planet.

“We had been powerful on the gamers going into the Wales week, and rightly so as a result of previously we’ve not backed up our first efficiency going into the second week of the Six Nations and likewise as a result of we believed there was far more to come back from the group,” Townsend stated, talking on Friday because the group ready to fly to Paris.

After wins over England and Wales, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend says Scotland should up their ranges vs France

“We really feel the identical manner this week. I believe the gamers realise what an enormous take a look at that is going to be, taking part in top-of-the-line groups on the planet on their residence patch, at a venue we’ve not had a lot success (at) over the previous 100 years.

“It will be a troublesome problem however we are able to match that problem. We will enhance from the Wales recreation. Going right into a recreation like this on the again of wins is a a lot better place to be than when you’re coming off the again of defeats.

“You have received that assured feeling about the way you’re taking part in and you have additionally received proof that what you are doing is resulting in good issues.”

Townsend unsurprisingly has saved modifications to a minimal, with only one alteration to the beginning XV as 2021 British and Irish Lions squad member Hamish Watson takes the place of fellow Edinburgh flanker Luke Crosbie. Ali Value – one other Lion – is again within the squad as one of many subs after being overlooked of the 23 for the opening two video games attributable to lack of type.

“We give consideration to each participant who’s within the combine for choice,” stated the top coach. “The simple factor could be to go ‘we have received a recreation, let’s not also have a dialogue, let’s transfer on to the following recreation’.

“You wish to reward gamers which are taking part in nicely however I’ve stated ever because the Wales and England video games, we’re not taking part in at our greatest but. We have to go up a couple of ranges.

Skipper Jamie Ritchie, head coach Gregor Townsend and playmaker Finn Russell want to put Scotland in uncharted Six Nations territory

“That may come via the group that get the second alternative or it might probably come from different gamers we really feel can assist us enhance. The usual of coaching has made choice tough however to carry again Hamish Watson and Ali Value, who’ve performed very nicely for us previously and have been exhibiting in coaching that they’re able to go once more, that is the scenario you wish to get in.

“Hamish has educated nicely and had two video games so we imagine he’ll be again on the stage we all know he can play at,” stated the coach. “We imagine he is an excellent foil for the way in which France wish to play and likewise provides pace to our assault.

“Whereas it is powerful on Luke Crosbie and Jack Dempsey, who was additionally within the combine, it is a good factor for us to have that stage of competitors.

“Hamish is in our management group, he was captain for us in the summertime in Argentina. He is actually stepped up as a pacesetter during the last yr or two so that have can assist from a psychological stage when gamers go searching and see somebody who’s been there 50-plus occasions for Scotland. It is right down to Hamish to ship, and that is what we’re anticipating him to do.”

Hamish Watson has returned to start out at openside flanker for the conflict on the Stade de France

Staff Information

France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Ethan Dumortier, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (c); 1 Cyril Baille, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Mohamed Haouas, 4 Thibaud Flament, 5 Paul Willemse, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Charles Ollivon, 8 Gregory Alldritt.

Replacements: 16 Gaetan Barlot, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Francois Cros, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Baptiste Couilloud, 23 Matthieu Jalibert.

Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Richie Grey, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 6 Jamie Ritchie (c), 7 Hamish Watson, 8 Matt Fagerson

Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 WP Nel, 19 Jonny Grey, 20 Sam Skinner, 21 Jack Dempsey, 22 Ali Value, 23 Blair Kinghorn

Farrell: Byrne and Casey deserve shot at operating the present in Rome

Eire boss Andy Farrell has insisted rookie half-back pair Ross Byrne and Craig Casey absolutely benefit the chance to run the present in Rome.

Farrell has made six modifications for Saturday’s Six Nations showdown with Italy, together with handing fly-half Byrne and scrum-half Casey maiden profession begins within the championship.

Byrne will deputise for injured Leinster team-mate Johnny Sexton within the No 10 jersey to proceed his worldwide resurgence, whereas Casey is available in for fellow Munster man Conor Murray.

Craig Casey will begin at scrum-half for Eire in Rome, with Conor Murray on the bench and Jamison Gibson-Park injured

The fledgling pair have mixed nicely from the bench in victories over Wales and France within the opening two rounds of the event and Farrell expects extra of the identical at Stadio Olimpico.

“They’ve earned the best to start out,” stated Farrell. “And, from what we have now seen thus far, it has been an excellent begin to the week.

“Preparation has been nice and yeah, they appear prepared for it.”

Talking particularly of Byrne, he continued: “He is been nice. He is earned the best to run the group and switch every part that we have now seen in coaching to a efficiency that is received authority and takes his group with him.”

Byrne feared his Take a look at profession could also be over earlier than coming back from 20 months within the worldwide wilderness to kick the decisive penalty in Eire’s autumn win over Australia.

Ross Byrne, who was overlooked of the Eire fold for 20 months, begins at fly-half with Johnny Sexton injured

Hooker Ronan Kelleher, lock Iain Henderson, No 8 Jack Conan and centre Bundee Aki have additionally been recalled to face the Azzurri.

Simply two of the alterations are enforced, with Sexton and Tadhg Beirne dominated out by accidents sustained within the 32-19 success over the French.

Farrell dismissed the notion he has shaken issues up “for the sake of it” and expects his Grand Slam-chasing facet to provide their greatest show of the competitors thus far.

“We’ve been collectively for an excellent few weeks now, so individuals are definitely in control,” he stated.

“Individuals would not have been chosen in the event that they weren’t in the best place.

Andy Farrell’s Eire have sights set on a Grand Slam, and he sees no situation with making six modifications vs Italy

“We’re not simply turning issues round for the sake of it, we’re turning issues round as a result of we predict it is a sturdy facet for us going ahead, for this recreation and for the long run as nicely.

“I do not assume there are that many modifications, to be truthful.

“The fact is, that is our third recreation of the competitors and we anticipate it to be our greatest efficiency of the competitors. That is the way it must be and that is what we’re aiming for.”

Staff Information

Italy: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Edoardo Padovani, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Pierre Bruno, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney; 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 3 Simone Ferrari, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Federico Ruzza, 6 Sebastian Negri, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 8 Lorenzo Cannone.

Replacements: 16 Luca Bigi, 17 Federico Zani, 18 Marco Riccioni, 19 Edoardo Iachizzi, 20 Giovanni Pettinelli, 21 Alessandro Fusco, 22 Luca Morisi, 23 Tomasso Allan

Eire: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Stuart McCloskey, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Craig Casey; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Iain Henderson, 5 James Ryan (c), 6 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Jack Conan.

Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Ryan Baird, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Jimmy O’Brien.