The latest rugby stories making headlines on the evening of Monday, February 16
Wales were crushed by France at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff(Image: PA)
These are your evening headlines on Monday, February 16.
Internationals stunned at Wales defending
Chris Ashton believes Steve Tandy’s players need to start taking more responsibility for his side’s defensive issues.
Wales conceded eight tries as they were comfortably despatched by France, who eased their way to a 54-14 win, their biggest ever over a Welsh side.
It’s merely the latest of a number of heavy defeats Wales have suffered in their last few Test matches, with Wales conceding 42 tries in their last six outings.
Analysing the game for the BBC’s Rugby Special, John Barclay says finding some sort of defensive solidity has to now be the main priority for Tandy, as he bids to pick his side back up for the upcoming clash with Scotland this weekend.
“The biggest problem is the defence,” Barclay said. “Over the last seven games the average number of tries conceded is seven tries.
“We can talk about their attack and missed opportunities.
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“But if you’re conceding this many tries in the last six games you’ve played, you’ve got no chance.”
Colleague Ashton, also on punditry duties, added that the players themselves have to take greater responsibility, and said some of the defending wouldn’t be considered acceptable at club level, never mind on the international stage.
“Some of it’s got to lie with the players,” he added when asked what could be changed to tighten things up.
“Even at club level, you shouldn’t be seeing the pictures we’re seeing.
“We’re seeing wingers way inside the posts and leaving the likes of Louis Bielle-Biarrey in 30m [of space].
“At club you know that feels wrong. As a player you understand where you should be on the pitch and space you should be filling. They’re getting that really wrong.
“Zammit’s at the back and playing 15 for attacking. But the feel just doesn’t feel right so some of those players have got to take responsibility in what’s right and what’s wrong.
“Then start to move forward with it.”
Ireland launch Six Nations investigation
By Edward Elliot, Press Association
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is investigating “cowardly” racist abuse directed at Edwin Edogbo following his international debut.
Munster second row Edogbo was targeted on social media after coming on as a replacement in Saturday’s 20-13 Guinness Six Nations victory over Italy in Dublin.
The 23-year-old was born and raised in Cobh, County Cork to Nigerian parents.
Posts on the IRFU’s X and Instagram accounts celebrating Edogbo’s first cap attracted a number of racist comments.
In a statement released to Press Association Sport, an IRFU spokesperson said: “We’re aware of some targeted abuse online in recent days and continue to work with Signify (a data technology company which specialises in protecting against online abuse) and the relevant authorities to report it.
“We will also continue to fully support all affected by the cowardly actions of a minority and investigations are underway alongside our partners Signify.
“It is clear that racist abuse has no place in Irish society and the IRFU has a zero tolerance policy towards racism of any form.”
Edogbo played the final 10 minutes against Italy after coming on for James Ryan.
He received a huge cheer from the Aviva Stadium crowd before helping Andy Farrell’s side hold on for victory during a nail-biting finale.
“I think my main goal with this campaign – I’ve had a few chances with Faz (Farrell) and a few chats with Paulie (forwards coach Paul O’Connell) – I just want to learn as much as possible,” said Edogbo.
“Obviously every player wants to play all the games but I understand this is a very special place, a very privileged place to be and it takes time.
“I think Faz did an interview about how I need to find my feet and he’s 100 per cent right, there is an element of knowing the system, knowing your team-mates and ultimately international rugby is a different beast.
“I suppose I got a taste of that and I know from that little block I had there, there’s a lot of work to be done and I’m looking forward to it.”
Ireland continue their Six Nations campaign on Saturday against England at Twickenham.
The squad trained on Monday, with the medical team reporting no fresh injury concerns from the Italy game.
Arundell summoned
England star Henry Arundell has been cited and will face a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday following his red card against Scotland at the weekend.
The 23-year-old received two yellow cards in the Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield; he was sin-binned early for not releasing and later received a second caution for taking out Kyle Steyn in the air.
That resulted in the Bath man being handed a 20-minute red card.
He has been charged with acts of foul play contrary to Law 9.4, which says that “a player must not intentionally prevent an opponent from having the opportunity to play the ball, other than by competing for possession”, and Law 9.17, which states: “A player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground.”
England head coach Steve Borthwick is set to name his team to face Ireland on Tuesday morning, with Arundell’s hearing due to take place beforehand, report the Times
“Henry is a 23-year-old and will, of course, bounce back, but it was reckless and a poor decision,” said former England international Matt Dawson.
“What if that had been a championship decider or a World Cup knockout game? You have to make good decisions under pressure.”
White happy to take heat off Townsend
By Anthony Brown, Press Association
Ben White was delighted that Scotland were able to ease the pressure on “amazing” head coach Gregor Townsend with their emphatic Calcutta Cup triumph over England.
The Scots defeated the Auld Enemy 31-20 on Saturday to end a run of seven defeats in a row against sides ranked in the world’s top 10.
The victory went some way to quietening the noise that had built up around Townsend’s position on the back of a poor autumn campaign and defeat away to Italy in his side’s Guinness Six Nations opener.
White acknowledged that criticism is “part and parcel of the sport” when results do not meet expectations, but the scrum-half insisted Saturday’s swashbuckling performance was testament to the “courage” Townsend gives the Scotland players.
“Obviously we’re aware of everything that goes on outside of the environment,” said White, alluding to the scrutiny on the head coach and the players. “People are passionate and when you’re playing for your country, people just want wins and success, and that’s what we want as well.
“It’s nothing personal, it’s part of the privilege of playing for your country. With how tough the week had been, I think to put on that performance it made it extra sweet.
“I just love it, that’s why I play rugby, to see the crowd, the atmosphere, people smiling and cheering and staying after the game and enjoying it with their kids.
“Gregor is proud of the performance that we put in, the way we played, the charisma we showed. He’s awesome, he’s an amazing coach to play for because he gives us so much confidence in what we do.
“Obviously he has a lot of detailed stuff in how we play, but he gives us courage and belief in the style of rugby that we play, so that’s awesome to be a part of.”
Scotland have been blighted by inconsistency under Townsend, with his critics pointing to their inability to build on positive results like Saturday’s.
They are second in the championship table after two rounds of fixtures and have the chance to strengthen their position when they visit ailing Wales on Saturday after spending this week at a training camp in Spain.
“The championship’s tough, there’s no rest, there’s no bye (fallow) week this year like there has been in the past,” said White. “We need to recover well, train hard and not take the foot off the gas.
“Getting five points at home was huge for us and also just the momentum that can give us going forward. We go to Wales and it’s an opportunity for us but we know we’re going to have to play really well.
“We go there with confidence but if we don’t play to the best of our abilities and we’re not clinical and accurate, they’re a side that can punish us.”