Today's rugby news as France v Wales official replaced after shock news and Gatland flies to Rome
Here are today's latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, January 21.
France v Wales official replaced after shock news
World Rugby has confirmed one of the officials for Wales' Six Nations opener in France has been changed following the controversy around referee Chris Busby.
Busby has pulled out of Six Nations duty for "personal reasons" amid shock reports he is to retire from professional rugby at just 38 in the wake of stinging public criticism from Ireland winger Mack Hansen following a match last month.
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He was appointed an assistant referee for France v Wales and Italy v France in this year's Six Nations, but will now be replaced by Andrea Piardi and Eoghan Cross for the respective fixtures.
Ireland wing Hansen was suspended for three matches after criticising Busby and his officiating team in Connacht's loss to Leinster in the United Rugby Championship.
Hansen received a six-week suspension, three of which are suspended, meaning he will be available for Ireland's Six Nations campaign. He was forced to apologise to Busby as part of his punishment but reports have now emerged Busby is quitting the sport..
Hansen said the refereeing in the Aviva Stadium match on 21 December made it feel like Connacht were playing against "16 men".
Gatland travels to Rome
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has flown to Rome with captain Jac Morgan for the official launch of the Six Nations.
The Welsh duo will be joined by coaches and captains of all competing sides at the major event, which is being held in the Italian capital for the first time.
Gatland has left his assistant coaches in charge of training at the squad's Vale Hotel base as preparations begin for the tournament. The squad, including new caps Dan Edwards and Ellis Mee, reported for duty on Monday ahead of the first match against France in Paris on Friday, January 31.
The trip comes as new faces are also expected to join the Wales backroom team. WalesOnline understands legendary prop Adam Jones has been offered a job as scrum coach, while renowned sports psychologist Andy McCan is to be appointed for the Six Nations. You can read full details here.
England make appointment after Welsh coach's departure
By PA Sport Staff
England have appointed Phil Morrow as their head of team performance to fill the vacancy created by Welshman Aled Walters' departure for Ireland.
Morrow will join Steve Borthwick's coaching staff upon completion of Saracens' season having been employed by the north London club as head of strength and conditioning and performance director since 2011.
He also brings experience from working on the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand and from his time as head of fitness for the Irish Rugby Football Union.
He takes charge of England's conditioning programme after the highly-rated Walters unexpectedly announced in August that he was leaving to join Andy Farrell's Ireland.
"Phil is widely recognised as one of the most accomplished and respected figures in the game," Borthwick said. "His track record of success with Saracens speaks for itself.
"Phil has dedicated his career to helping players maximise their physical performance and is known for his relentless drive and ability to push standards to the highest level. I'm confident that England will greatly benefit from having Phil as part of the coaching set-up and we are delighted he is joining later this year."
New head coach ‘all about setting the right environment’
By Andrew Baldock, PA Rugby Union Correspondent
Sean Lynn said he is “all about setting the right environment” after being appointed as the new Wales women’s head coach.
Welshman Lynn, who masterminded back-to-back Premiership Women’s Rugby titles as Gloucester-Hartpury boss in 2023 and 2024, succeeds Ioan Cunningham.
Cunningham left his role in November, while Nigel Walker resigned as the Welsh Rugby Union’s executive director of rugby just before Christmas.
Those departures came following a turbulent spell last year that saw the WRU’s handling of now-completed contract negotiations for its top female players fiercely criticised.
The WRU said that Lynn, who has agreed a three-year contract, will switch full-time to Wales ahead of the Six Nations as he sees out the PWR season with Gloucester-Hartpury, which ends in March.
“I am all about setting the right environment,” Lynn said, during a press conference at the Principality Stadium.
“That is why I set the tone this morning with the player group and the staff. That’s the piece where we all need to be aligned.
“Look, this is a real, strong rugby nation. I was brought up coming to the Principality (Stadium), and I really want to make that impact in the international arena.
“I feel there is massive talent there. The girls who are shining lights in the PWR, we are very lucky that we have them playing for Wales, and I am really excited to make sure they can gel.”
Lynn’s arrival comes on the back of former PWR chief executive Belinda Moore taking a newly-created post as the WRU’s head of women’s rugby.
The head of rugby position was among recommendations from a recent strategic review into the women’s game in Wales.
The Six Nations, which Wales begin against Scotland on March 22, is followed by the England-hosted World Cup during August and September, with Wales in a tough pool alongside Scotland, Canada and Fiji.
Wales finished with the Six Nations wooden spoon last season, won only four of 11 Tests in 2024 and are currently a lowly 10th in the world rankings.
