Rugby Union Today: France and Wales name teams
CARDIFF, WALES - NOVEMBER 17: Tomos Williams of Wales scores a try under a challenge from Daniel Kilioni of Tonga during the International Friendly match between Wales and Tonga at Principality Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Another busy day in the rugby union game as France and Wales released their squads for the opening Six Nations encounter in Paris.
What’s on the site
There were not too many surprises in the Wales squad to face France but scrum-half Tomos Williams did get the nod over Gareth Davies, while Gareth Anscombe starts instead of Dan Biggar at pivot.
For France, they named 19-year-old Romain Ntamack at centre and he partners the experienced Wesley Fofana in the midfield. Also in the backline, Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez combine at half-back with Yoann Huget and Damian Penaud on the wings.
Finally, check out this week’s Loose Pass, which looks at the state of the game in the US and England’s issues heading into the upcoming Six Nations.
What’s in the news
Ian Keatley has left Munster to go to London Irish on a short-term deal. The fly-half has already agreed to join Benetton at the end of the season but Keatley has now ended his eight-year association with the province early.
Elsewhere, former Springbok fly-half Peter Grant has been forced to retire following several head injuries during his career. Grant was at Western Force and hoped to have one more season in him but has now hung up his boots.
What’s on social media
A great bit of marketing if Ireland defeat England but quite often these things can come back to bite.
*WIN* As a proud sponsor of Irish Rugby, we've a pair of tickets up for grabs for #IREvENG this Saturday. Follow and RT today to be in with a chance to win! #ReadyForMore pic.twitter.com/siDON3v2ha
— Volkswagen Ireland (@VolkswagenIE) January 29, 2019
What’s on TV
It is all about the Six Nations for the next month-and-a-half and the games will be shown on either the BBC or ITV. This weekend the former have France v Wales and Scotland v Italy while ITV will broadcast the gargantuan meeting between Ireland and England.
The domestic competitions in Europe are therefore on a break right now but BT Sport are showing the Premiership Rugby Cup, which has Worcester Warriors v Wasps, while the Sevens continues on Sky Sports.