The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world as the Six Nations heads towards its final weekend
New footage of Dupont and Scotland’s Ben White has emerged
These are your evening rugby headlines on Tuesday, March 10.
New footage emerges after Dupont incident
New TV footage has emerged after France superstar Antoine Dupont was seemingly caught refusing to shake hands with Scotland scrum-half Ben White after Saturday’s remarkable Six Nations clash.
Dupont had an afternoon to forget as he made a series of uncharacteristic errors at Murrayfield, with Scotland romping to a 50-40 victory to cause a major upset against the reigning champions.
He was seen exchanging words with his opposite number White throughout the game, with the Scotland star even roaring in his rival’s face at one point in the contest.
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After the match, as Scotland formed a tunnel and clapped off their opponents, White was seen gesturing towards Dupont in what appeared to be a moment of attempted reconciliation
However, in footage that quickly did the rounds on social media following the match, the France scrum-half seemingly refused to shake hands and walked away, with White looking stunned by the awkward interaction.
But now, new footage has emerged to show that Dupont and White did in fact shake hands moments later, although the French star still looked highly unimpressed as the pair exchanged words again.
In the footage, which has also started circulating on social media, the 29-year-old appears to say “C’est pas bien, non c’est pas bien, c’est pas bien Ben. [It’s not good, no it’s not good, it’s not good Ben]”.
The two scrum-halves are set to face each other again later this season, with White’s Toulon side playing host to Dupont’s Toulouse in the Top 14 in May.
Content cannot be displayed without consent’Powerhouse’ leaves Wales for England
Ospreys centre Phil Cokanasiga will join Gloucester ahead of next season, it has been confirmed.
The brother of England international Joe Cokanasiga, the 24-year-old was hailed as a “fast and physical powerhouse” when he joined the Welsh region in 2024 and he has scored four tries in 13 appearances for Mark Jones’ side so far this season.
It has now been confirmed that he will become the latest player to swap the Ospreys for Gloucester, with influential duo Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake also moving to Kingsholm ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
As the signing was confirmed on Tuesday, Gloucester head coach George Skivington said he was pleased to add Cokanasiga to his squad, adding: “Phil is a talented rugby player, and he’s coming off the back of a successful second season with the Ospreys.
“He’ll be a great addition for us when he arrives, and will add extra quality to a midfield which is already very strong.”
Former Leicester Tigers and London Irish man Cokanasiga added: “I’m really excited to take on a new opportunity in the PREM.
“My time with the Ospreys has been invaluable and I feel it’s prepared me really well to step back into the Gallagher PREM sharper, hungrier, and more confident in my game.
“I already know a lot of the players and coaches at Kingsholm, so I’m looking forward to settling in quickly this summer and getting out on the pitch in front of the Gloucester fans. I can’t wait to be part of it.”
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Under-fire Borthwick names England team
By Duncan Bech, Press Association Rugby Union Correspondent, Verona
England have made only one change against France as they bid to avoid their worst ever finish in the Guinness Six Nations by selecting Ollie Chessum at blindside flanker.
Head coach Steve Borthwick has remained loyal to the overhauled backline that misfired in the 23-18 defeat by Italy in Rome with Fin Smith continuing at fly-half for Saturday’s visit to Paris.
Instead, Borthwick has tinkered with his back row by installing Chessum at six and moving Guy Pepper to openside at the expense of Sam Underhill, who drops to the bench for the climax to the Championship.
Underhill was propelled to the starting XV at the Stadio Olimpico when Tom Curry suffered a tournament-ending calf injury during the warm up, but against France he will act as a replacement as part of a six-two split between forwards and backs.
By starting Chessum, Borthwick is strengthening England’s line-out and giving his pack greater ballast to take on France’s giant forwards. The 25-year-old Leicester captain has played the bulk of his rugby for club and country in the second row and his most recent international appearance at blindside was in the 2024 Six Nations.
Underhill and Marcus Smith will win their 50th caps for England if they appear off the bench.
Nine changes in personnel and a further three positional switches were made against Italy, but gutting the team failed to have the desire effect as England crashed to an historic first defeat by the Azzurri in 33 encounters.
An 18-10 lead was established in the third quarter but the hosts scored 13 unanswered points to pile pressure on to Borthwick, who received a vote of confidence from the Rugby Football Union on Sunday. However, chief executive Bill Sweeney’s statement made no mention of Borthwick being safe until the 2027 World Cup, when his contract ends, instead suggesting he has the summer tour to save his job.
The 46-year-old head coach will remain in place after the Six Nations, when an investigation will be launched into another disappointing Championship which they are likely to finish in fifth place. If they lose to France, they will have completed the tournament with only one victory – against Wales in the opener – in what will be their worst Six Nations performance.
“It’s a huge challenge under the lights in Paris against a very strong France side,” Borthwick said. “England versus France is one of the great rivalries in international rugby and we’re looking forward to the occasion.”
England: Daly; Roebuck, Freeman, Atkinson, Murley; F Smith, Spencer; Genge, George, Heyes; Itoje (c), Coles; Chessum, Pepper, Earl
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Rodd, Davison, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Pollock, Van Poortvliet, M Smith
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