Tonight's rugby news as immediate impact made in Wales camp and WRU confirm Six Nations injury blow
These are your evening rugby headlines on Wednesday, February 5.
WRU confirm Six Nations injury blow
The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed that Wales prop Sisilia Tuipulotu will miss the entirety of the upcoming Women’s Six Nations campaign after undergoing surgery on a hamstring surgery.
The 25-cap international revealed in a social media post over the weekend that her season had "come to an early end" as she shared a photo of herself on crutches and with her leg in a brace. Now, the WRU have confirmed that Tuipulotu will miss the rest of the current campaign as she begins her personal rehabilitation programme with the union.
READ MORE: Warren Gatland to hand Wales star first start in crucial match as Faletau set for return
“Injuries happen for a reason and my focus now is on my rehab and working hard to get back playing in the 2025 World Cup in England," said Tuipulotu. “Missing the Wales v England game at the Principality Stadium, on March 29, is disappointing but I look forward to supporting the team and my teammates from the stands.”
New Wales head coach Sean Lynn added: “Sisilia is a big part of the Wales family, and she will get all the support of her teammates, coaches and staff as she undergoes a return to play programme.
“She will have the best professional advice and care as she goes through her rehab programme with the professional staff at the WRU and we will look forward to having her back as soon she is ready.”
Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Tuipulotu also wrote: "Surgery (tick) and hamstring 2.0 incoming. Injuries suck but I will always trust in God's plan and timing!
"Season 24/25 has come to an early end but I’ll be back better than before. For my family, friends and most importantly my teammates! So for now, a little rest can’t harm anybody. Stay blessed everybody."
Wales star hails Jones impact
Wales prop Henry Thomas has hailed the impact that Adam Jones has had on the Six Nations squad, hailing him as a "great addition" to camp.
The legendary tighthead - affectionately known as Bomb - was brought in by the WRU as a scrum consultant ahead of the tournament, joining Warren Gatland's staff on secondment from Harlequins.
Despite the 43-0 hammering at the hands of France in Paris on Friday, Wales held their own at scrum time, in places, with Scarlets star Thomas putting in a shift on the tight against a big French pack.
Speaking on the latest episode of BBC's Scrum V podcast, Thomas explained that while it "might take a bit of time", Jones will "bring his own style and experience" to the squad to make them a "dominant force" once again.
"Definitely personality," said Thomas as he was asked what Jones had already brought to camp. "You guys all saw that, he's a brilliant bloke. Sometimes, you do need a new face in there, a new voice, which is massive. Technically - it might take a bit of time. It's not going to happen over night, but he will bring his own style in and he will bring his experience, and his coaching experience.
"At the moment I would say it's little by little for him because he doesn't want to just throw it all out there. It's about developing this [squad] back into being a dominant force again.
"Bomb being here is a great addition, a new voice," he added. "A good personality, someone to bounce ideas off. I played against him for a number of years - he's obviously a quality operator. For me, especially as a tighthead, it's great to have him here leading that. Hopefully we will just get stronger and stronger in that area."
Wales make four changes
Wales U20 head coach Richard Whiffin has made four changes to his side as they look to put their 63-19 loss to France on the opening weekend behind them.
Italy in Treviso now awaits them on Friday evening, with the hosts coming into the match off the back of beating Scotland 22-10 in Edinburgh in Round 1.
Amongst the changes, Whiffin has handed a debut to Sale Sharks centre Osian Roberts, who replaces Elijah Evans, while Cardiff's Tom Bowen starts ahead of Harry Rees-Weldon on the wing. In the pack, Bristol Bears prop Louie Trevett replaces Ioan Emanuel and Ospreys' Dan Gemine comes in for Nick Thomas in the second row.
"The scoreline didn't really reflect how the game was," said the Wales coach as he reflected on the defeat to France "We felt we were in the game the whole time, so we've pushed on that and looked at the positives but obviously there are areas where we need to improve.
"We've gone through the game in large detail and there were lots of positives to come out of it. I thought our pack fronted up incredibly well. Up to 50 minutes we were right in the game but a couple of contentious decisions probably didn't go our way.
"Yes, the wheels came off when trying to chase the game a little bit. But I actually thought there was some really good elements from our team we can hang our hat on."
As for the clash with Italy, Whiffin added: "We're confident in every single game we go into. We've got a good plan that we are going after. Italy are a big physical team but there's opportunities for us to move them around and be smart with our kicking game and try and preserve some space for our outside backs to get on top of them.
Wales Under-20s: Scott Delnevo (Aberavon), Aidan Boshoff (Bristol Bears), Osian Roberts (Sale Sharks), Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby), Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby), Harri Wilde (Cardiff Rugby), Logan Franklin (Dragons RFC);Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears), Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Sam Scott (Bristol Bers), Kenzie Jenkins (Bristol Bears), Dan Gemine (Ospreys), Deian Gwynne (Gloucester), Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers – Captain), Evan Minto (Dragons RFC)
Replacements: Saul Hurley (Aberavon), Ioan Emanuel (Bath Rugby), Jac Pritchard (Scarlets), Tom Cottle (RGC), Ryan Jones (Dragons RFC), Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby), Harri Ford (Dragons), Elijah Evans (Cardiff Rugby)
Ireland receive injury boost
By Ed Elliot, PA
Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen are on course to be fit for Ireland's Guinness Six Nations clash with Scotland but Tadhg Furlong and Joe McCarthy have been ruled out.
Tighthead prop Bealham and wing Hansen each sustained leg injuries during Saturday's 27-22 win over England in round one of the championship. Lock McCarthy missed the curtain-raiser in Dublin following a head knock in training, while first-choice tighthead Furlong was sidelined with a calf issue, having also sat out his country's four autumn fixtures due to injury.
"They trained just now and it looks positive for both," scrum coach John Fogarty said of Connacht pair Bealham and Hansen, according to RTE. "They took part in the full session. They should be (ready), they looked good today, they both trained.
"They'll be looked at again and there'll be a medical (on Thursday) as well."
After beginning their quest for an unprecedented third consecutive Six Nations title with a bonus-point victory, Ireland are due at Murrayfield on Sunday afternoon.
"The game will come too soon (for Furlong and McCarthy)," Fogarty added.
With Furlong still unavailable and Tom O'Toole set to complete a six-game ban this weekend, the positive update on Bealham is a major boost for interim boss Simon Easterby.
Leinster rookie Tom Clarkson, who replaced Bealham against England after making his Test debut in November, and uncapped Connacht prop Jack Aungier are Ireland's other options for the number three jersey.
