Here’s the roundup of the latest rugby news for Tuesday 14th February.

Gatland said to change course

Former Wales striker and Grand Slam star Mark Jones believes Wales should stop trying to be a ball-playing team and instead get back to power play and try to emulate France.

Wales have lost their first two Six Nations games for the first time since 2007 against Ireland and Scotland and the scale of Warren Gatland’s task to change his fortunes has become increasingly clear in recent weeks.

“I think Wales are trying to play a fluid game, moving the ball up and down the pitch,” Jones said. The Scrum V podcast. “I don’t think the selection now gives us the opportunity to do that. I think we only have two real players, I think with Biggar and Joe Hawkins over the weekend. You need at least three. Ireland is lucky that there are probably four or five.

“I think we have to play harder with the players we have and be a little more direct and try to make a simpler game that involves our athletes. Instead of trying to get around a team like Ireland, let’s be a little more like France, a little more pragmatic, a little more direct. Let’s play a little more with our defense.”

He admits the lack of cohesion is understandable, given the new coaching staff and, against Scotland, a series of changes in attack, but he feels Wales are unsure of what they should do.

“When I look at the way Wales are playing right now I see a big gap,” he said. “We’re not sure how we’re trying to play this game, and if you’re not sure how you’re trying to play it, it’s very difficult to get into your role.

“The one thing that was very clear with Gates the first time around was that he made the game very simple, you knew exactly what your role was and obviously the coaches under him played their part and made it very clear what their role was. paper. “

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England hope for a treble before Wales test

England will be hoping to strengthen their squad ahead of their Six Nations clash with Wales in Cardiff, with Tom Curry and Courtney Lawes set to return to club action this weekend.

Both players captained England under former manager Eddie Jones but injuries have so far ruled them out of this year’s Six Nations campaign. In fact, Lowes has yet to participate in international competition all season due to a hip problem.

According to The Telegraph, the pair are set to play for their respective clubs in the Premier League this weekend, with Lowes himself saying he is looking forward to returning to Cardiff a week later on Saturday.

“I’m fine,” he told Times Radio. “It was one of those seasons where I couldn’t stay on the pitch. When I first had my calf done, everyone thought it could be a pretty long injury, six to eight weeks, maybe a little longer. Fortunately, I broke it on the lower end, so that’s it. [only] two I hope to return to Wales”.

Meanwhile, George Ford, who favors Sale, has recently returned and could be another option for the third round of clashes.

Borthwick expects ‘difficult’ challenge from Wales

England will come into Cardiff third in the Six Nations table, with Wales currently bottom, and it’s fair to say that both teams are currently in the midst of a transitional period under their respective managers.

The visitors may become favorites in the eyes of some spectators early on. But with Wales off to a rocky start to the campaign, England manager Steve Borthwick insists he is still suspicious of the managerial acumen of his opponent, who worked with Warren Gatland on the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour.

“I look up to Warren and have incredible respect for him as a coach,” he said. “I had the opportunity to train with him in 2017 and the way he trains is great, so I have a lot of respect for him. The fact that he asked me to coach the Lions in 2021, he must think I can do some good as a coach. He builds his team very well. This is a brilliant challenge. It will be a tough challenge.”

Ireland sweats over Beirne injury

Ireland hold back Tadhg Beirne will visit a specialist to determine the extent of the leg injury he suffered in Saturday’s win over France.

Beirne was seen leaving the Aviva Stadium on crutches after being forced to retire during his country’s 32-19 victory. Manager Andy Farrell said the injury “doesn’t look too good” for the Munster international, who started in the last 14 tests across your country.

Ireland have retained a 25-man squad for a two-day training camp before the tournament opens next weekend, and captain Jonny Sexton is also a concern after picking up a groin problem during Saturday’s match.

Meanwhile, hooker Rob Herring will undergo the procedure to return to action after suffering a head injury following a heavy tackle by French player Winnie Atonio, who was subsequently recalled.

Chayan Healy, Tadhg Furlong, Robbie Henshaw and Jamieson Gibson-Park are also recovering from their respective injuries.
Keith Earls, Jordan Larmour and Jacob Stockdale are among the 12 players cleared to play in their provinces.

The RFS called for the involvement of women in the Red Roses coaching staff.

England’s outgoing manager Simon Middleton says it is time for the Rugby Football Union to “really get serious about women’s coaching”. Middleton will step down from the role, which he has held since 2015, at the end of the upcoming TikTok Women’s Six Nations.

The 57-year-old, whose successor will be announced after the championship, believes he needs a new voice.
Although he is not involved in the current recruitment process, he has urged the RFU to focus on getting female coaches.

“From an English point of view, now is the time to really get into women’s training,” said the former double-code player. “You have a generation of players and many of them have spent nearly a decade in professional rugby.

“I know the contracts haven’t been full-time for that long, but it’s made a huge difference as far as professionalism on the show.

“A lot of players have gone through that by now, so they are very well equipped to be coaches if they want to be. From that point of view, we have great potential as coaches and we have to develop that side.”

Middleton led England to the World Cup Finals in 2017 and 2022, where they were defeated by New Zealand on each occasion. He led the Red Roses to five Six Nations titles, including four Grand Slams, and set a record 30 consecutive wins last year.

His imminent departure was announced last week following a conversation with RFU Director Conor O’Shea.

England begin their Six Nations title defense against Scotland on 25 March in Newcastle, before ending their campaign against France on 29 April at Twickenham. Keeping her options open about her own future, Middleton believes that making women’s football more competitive is one of the biggest challenges facing the sport going forward.

“We have to close the gap in many other groups, tier one and tier two, and make sure that the next World Cup (in England in 2025) and of course the World Cup after that is much more competitive, and the Six Nations and all other tournaments.” ,-he said.

“Closing the gap between different nations is really important. Should be [about] investment, because it’s a simple fact: if you want to develop a program, you have to add expertise, you have to put resources there, and for that you have to invest in programs. That’s what the Russian Federation did, that’s what France did all along, that’s what New Zealand did. If you get more games that become more competitive, it becomes self-sufficient.”

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