These are some of the stories that hit the rugby news on Friday 10th February ahead of another highly anticipated Six Nations weekend.

Owens warns Scotland

Ken Owens has warned Scotland that Wales will be a tough nut to crack tomorrow at Murrayfield.

Wales come into the game after a tough defeat at home to Ireland and are underdogs against a Scottish side who stunned England at Twickenham.

Veteran whore Owens admits there has been a lot of thinking this week, but he is convinced Wales will win again.

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“We are confident that we can bounce back and correct last week’s mistakes, be much more clinical and much more physical,” he said.

“It will be a thoroughbred test game. We had a good win against Scotland.

“Last year they beat England, came to Cardiff and came up short. They are looking to challenge us and we certainly want to do that and bounce back from last weekend’s loss.”

Warren Gatland wielded the axe, taking down experienced duo Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric, replacing Taulupe Faletau and turning to youth.

And Wales captain Owens is confident the new young gun will thrive at Murrayfield.

“Welsh rugby has depth. It’s exciting that players have the opportunity to gain experience for this tournament and the upcoming World Cup. They were at the top of their game at their clubs,” he said.

“Murrayfield is right there. It is a large stadium, one of the traditional strongholds of world rugby. Fortunately, we’ve had a lot of success there over the years. It will be a big challenge. I’m sure they’ll come after us and we’ll come after them too.”

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England destroyed Smith

England manager Steve Borthwick has defended his decision to drop Marcus Smith as part of the revamped midfield chosen for Sunday’s Six Nations against Italy.

Having started the last eight Tests together, Smith was demoted to the bench to match Owen Farrell’s selection at fly fly over centre.

Borthwick completed a major midfield overhaul, replacing Joe Marchant with Henry Slade at outside centre, with Ollie Lawrence filling the spot at number 12.

The decision to lose glamorous star Harlequin Smith was one of the main topics of discussion at the press conference to announce Borthwick’s team.

The England manager explained: “I decided to change that combination this week. As always, when I choose a team, I choose a plan for the opponent. That’s how we want to go this week. Every game counts. I’m not focusing on any games in the future.

“I feel this team is right for this game. We have some fantastic flights. When you look at this team, I think you see some exciting young talent.”

Asked how Smith reacted to the big news, Borthwick continued: “Marcus has been brilliant. As a player I was on the other side and I remember those conversations. I’ve been in those situations and I feel sorry for the players.

“That’s the kind of question I would expect. As head coach, I won’t reveal too much in terms of tactics. I think with Henry Slade’s distribution skills available this week, his left-handed option is a great strength.” Any team that has both left-handed and right-handed options is a strong point.”

England: F. Butler (Leicester); M. Mullins (Saracens), H. Slade (Exeter), O. Lawrence (Bath), O. Hassell-Collins (London); O Farrell (Saracen, captain), J Van Poortvliet (Leicester); E. Genge (Bristol), J. George (Saracen), C. Sinclair (Bristol), M. Itohe (Saracen), O. Chesum (Leicester), L. Ludlam (Northampton), J. Willis (Toulouse), A .Dombrandt (Harlequins).

Substitutions: J. Walker (Harlequins), M. Vunipola (Saracens), D. Cole (Leicester), N. Izikwe (Saracens), B. Earle (Saracens), A. Mitchell (Northampton), M. Smith (Harlequins), H Arundell (London Irish).

Keep blaming me, Eddie tells England

Eddie Jones admits that Steve Borthwick was “probably right” when he said he inherited an England team that “wasn’t good at anything”.

Borthwick, who succeeded Jones as head coach in December, took a dire assessment after last Saturday’s 29-23 defeat by Scotland at Twickenham in the Six Nations.

Jones was sacked after presiding over a dismal 2022 and, after taking charge of Australia, admits his attempts to bolster England’s attack have caused problems.

“I think he’s right, and that’s part of the problem,” Jones told the EDDIE podcast. “We tried to turn around a team that had a very good position and a very good game.

“The way it’s played now will get you a win, but it probably won’t be enough to win the world championship.

“So expanding the offense sometimes takes away from their strengths and they have a difficult period where they try to find the right balance in their game.

“But Steve will fix it. It will definitely fix it. And keep blaming me. It’s okay, I have a strong enough back and shoulders to handle it.”

Farrell is ready for a big showdown in France

Andy Farrell is hoping that a passionate Dublin crowd can turn France around and help Ireland through some difficult times in Saturday’s potentially decisive Six Nations clash.

Farrell’s men felt the full force of a raucous Stade de France at this time last year, when French fans cheered them on in a thrilling 30-24 victory that put Les Bleus on the Grand Slam title.

A packed Aviva Stadium awaits the French this weekend as two of the best teams in the world meet in a thrilling showdown.

Manager Farrell urged the home fans to help Ireland end a three-match losing streak against the visitors in the form of Fabien Galti, but admits it is his players who are responsible for lighting up the atmosphere in the stands.

“Yes, 100 percent,” he said of the need to involve the crowd in the game. It’s a package, right? Everyone who comes to the game buys it and we are part of that package.

“Of course everyone wants to start well and strong and that’s what we did really well.

“But things don’t go as planned when two good teams leave. So not only do we root for them and get excited about the good times, but we also make sure the fans feel where we are in the game and try to push us forward, because that’s definitely what our players felt last year. France”.

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