Six Nations team news and the injuries facing England, Scotland and Wales
With the retirement of some of rugby’s biggest names post-World Cup 2023, the Six Nations already promised to initiate some fresh faces – and after one weekend of action, injuries have meant all the teams involved have even greater selection dilemmas.
i explores which faces will be missing from this weekend’s action and who might step in to replace them.
Scotland
Scotland entered this year’s contest rejuvenated by the return of injured players including former captain Jamie Ritchie.
Yet despite the much anticipated return of Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey, the one-point victory over Wales came at a cost.
Lock Richie Gray and back-row Luke Crosbie will miss the rest of the campaign after sustaining bicep and shoulder injuries respectively during their first Six Nations win in Cardiff since 2002 (their last in Wales coming in 2020 at Parc y Scarlets).
Grant Gilchrist’s return from a ban could prove timely to replace Gray while a fit co-captain Rory Darge may also offer a morale boost against the French at Murrayfield.
Scotland’s defence coach Steve Tandy said Gray’s energy and clarity would be “sorely missed” but was optimistic about the choice of back row replacements.
“We’re lucky to have an abundance in those positions. If someone misses out, everyone else is ready to step into the shirt and really represent,” he said.
Glasgow Warriors’ second rows Max Williamson and Alex Samuel have been called up into the training squad this week as injury cover ahead of the France match.
Wales
No doubt still reeling from their one-point defeat by Scotland on home soil, the absence of flanker – and try scorer – James Botham is a blow ahead of Wales’ clash with England.
Now back in Cardiff to start rehabilitation for his knee injury, Botham’s absence sees prop Dillon Lewis and lock Seb Davies called up for Saturday’s showdown at Twickenham.
Lewis becomes the fourth Wales tighthead option while 27-year-old Davies offers versatility as lock or in the back row.
Good news comes in the form of George North’s return from a shoulder problem for his 50th Six Nations appearance, and Ioan Lloyd replaces fly-half Sam Costelow who went off injured last week.
Given Alex Mann scored a try on his international debut, the Cardiff flanker should ease concerns about Wales’ attacking might as Warren Gatland hands him his first Wales start.
While Wales’ attack coach Alex King believes “England are not unbeatable” and has said Wales are committed to a “no fear” approach, they will look to get on the board far quicker than last weekend. Their first score against Scotland only came when Botham touched down in the 47th minute.
England
After a shaky start against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico, England eventually clinched a 27-24 victory but will hope to look more convincing against Wales.
Having had to grapple with injury blows before the start of the tournament with Ollie Lawrence, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Oscar Beard all sidelined, England will be buoyed by the return of a big name this weekend.
Vice-captain Ellis Genge, who withdrew from the win in Italy with a foot injury, is rumoured to be set to play having trained earlier this week.
The 28-year-old’s comeback would be an ideal antidote to Marcus Smith’s absence as the fly-half is still unfit after he missed England’s opener in Rome with a calf problem.
France
France’s opener against Ireland was heralded prior as the title-deciding match of the Six Nations, with both sides seeking to cure their respective World Cup heartbreak. Unfortunately for France, they did not deliver.
Missing the world-class No 9 Antoine Dupont seemed to dent their spirit and their style more than expected, with the former France captain instead targeting a Sevens gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
Rather than injury, it is the fallout from last weekend’s foul play that leaves the squad in a precarious position.
Second row Paul Willemse will miss France’s next two matches against Scotland and Italy after being red-carded for two instances of foul play, a high hit on Andrew Porter and a high tackle on Caelan Doris.
He was shown red after a bunker review decided both offences warranted four and three-week bans, but attending tackle school could reduce his punishment to three weeks.
After a 17-38 defeat, France seem to be facing less of an injury crisis and more a crisis of heart as they head to Murrayfield to take on the Scots.
Ireland
The two sides set to clash this weekend – title defenders Ireland and Italy – are the least affected by injury, though the Irish may still miss Mack Hansen, Dave Kilcoyne, Jimmy O’Brien and Rob Herring.
Leinster co-captain Garry Ringrose was unavailable last week, but Ireland’s coaching staff are hopeful they will have a fully-fit squad in contention for the Azzuri’s visit to the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland dominated pre-tournament favourites France in Marseille and will be confident of another statement victory even with Italy improving. Injury has, as of yet, made no sign of denting their title defence ambitions.
Italy
Italy are often dismissed as the guaranteed “wooden spoon” winners having finished last 18 times in the Six Nations era, but age-grade performances suggest the tide may be turning and the Azzurri can look to a brighter future. And their opening weekend performance against England certainly hints at an uptick too.
Star winger Ange Capuozzo was sidelined for their clash with England due to sickness, with Lorenzo Pani drafted in to fill the void in the No 14 jersey. Capuozzo’s last Six Nations run ended prematurely when he suffered a shoulder injury during Italy’s clash with Ireland, meaning he missed their last two matches. If he is fit to return this weekend, he’ll be hoping there’s not a repeat of the same misfortune this time around.
Even in a narrow 24-27 loss, Italy rattled England and offered a glimpse of what lies ahead for the up-and-coming side.
