Rugby Union Today: Six Nations team news

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Next Wales head coach Wayne Pivac during the press conference at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff.

Another busy day in the rugby union game as four countries named their 23-man squads for this weekend’s encounters in the Six Nations.

What’s on the site

Johnny McNicholl will make his Wales debut while George North will deputise at centre when they take on Italy on Saturday. For the Azzurri, interim head coach Franco Smith has brought back Leonardo Sarto and named uncapped Niccolo Cannone in the XV.

Scotland and France also announced their squads with Gregor Townsend making 10 changes for their game with Ireland and Les Bleus selecting rookies Anthony Bouthier and Mohamed Haouas.

Finally, we have picked out our players to watch in the Six Nations and delved into the big talking points heading into the main southern hemisphere action in ‘Super charged.’

What’s in the news

TJ Perenara will captain a strong Hurricanes side in their Super Rugby opener, while the Crusaders have decided to rest their key All Blacks when they take on the Waratahs on Saturday.

Elsewhere, England have named an updated 25-man squad for the game against France on Sunday. Anthony Watson will miss the match through injury, which opens the door for either Ollie Thorley or George Furbank to start.

What’s on social media

Nothing screams Six Nations more than a dramatic and emotional montage…

What’s on TV

The biggest annual international tournament returns on Saturday and it will once again be split between the BBC and ITV. This weekend, the former will show Wales versus Italy and France taking on England while the latter has Ireland’s clash with Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.

Super Rugby also begins and it starts on Friday as the Auckland-based Blues take on the Chiefs on Sky Sports. That channel will also broadcast the World Rugby Sevens Series, which comes from Sydney this weekend.

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