Tonight's rugby news as star summoned after France v Wales madness and Woodward saddened by 'humiliation'
These are your evening rugby headlines on Monday, February 3.
Sir Clive Woodward: Wales were humiliated
Sir Clive Woodward says Wales are in deep trouble after their opening round loss.
Warren Gatland's side were hammered 43-0 in Paris by the tournament favourites France, and that means they have now lost 13 Test matches in a row.
READ MORE: Jiffy column: It's clear where Wales went wrong, I don't get what the plan was
READ MORE: New World Rugby rankings table puts Wales one loss from previously unthinkable
Speaking in his latest column with MailOnline, Woodward explained that although the France win was expected, failing to score in the match was a real low point for Wales, labelling it "humiliating".
He wrote: "France beating Wales in the first game was no surprise. But the scale of the scoreline and the fact the Welsh failed to notch a single point was confirmation to me that a proud rugby nation has hit the skids. To not score at all in a Six Nations game is humiliating. Wales don’t have the physical ball carriers to get across the gainline and as a result, their attack is predictable.
"They simply have to find a different way of playing and understand you can still win even if you know you cannot win the gainline battle. Their game with Italy on Saturday is absolutely enormous. I hope I’m wrong – because I like Wales and Warren Gatland – but on the evidence of the game in Paris, I just can’t see them winning. Italy are firm favourites."
Ntamack summoned after moment of madness
France international Romain Ntamack has been summoned to attend an independent disciplinary hearing for his moment of madness against Wales.
Making his first Six Nations appearance in two years, Ntamack was sent off in the 70th minute for a brutal shoulder-to-head shot on Ben Thomas, which was labelled "deplorable". He was first shown yellow before it was upgraded to a red.
The Six Nations have now confirmed he'll face a panel of committee members for the act of foul play which breached Law 9.13 - 'A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously'.
The hearing will take place on Wednesday, February 5, with committee members Stephen Hardy - Chair (Australia), Donal Courtney (Ireland) and John Langford (Australia) deciding his fate.
Ntamack is certain to miss the next match against England and could even see his participation in later Six Nations matches in jeopardy.
Ireland call up two players
Interim head coach Simon Easterby has called up two players to the Ireland squad ahead of their clash against Scotland this weekend.
Munster's Thomas Ahern and Connacht's Shayne Bolton will provide more depth to the squad. It's a first call-up for Bolton, who will provide cover for Mack Hansen - recovering from a leg injury, while Ahern covers for Finlay Bealham.
Despite calling up the duo, Easterby is hopeful that Bealham and Hansen will be available for Sunday's game against Gregor Townsend's Scots.
Lock Joe McCarthy looks likely to be available for the Scotland match, but it's down to the selection committee to decide whether it's sensible to throw him back into the mixer. The IRFU have said McCarthy and Tadhg Furlong have stepped up their rehabilitation programmes and a decision will be made on their availability this week.
Cadan Murley a doubt as England prepare for France
By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent
Cadan Murley has emerged as a doubt for England’s Guinness Six Nations clash with France on Saturday because of a foot problem.
Murley suffered the injury during the 27-22 defeat by Ireland in Dublin and was forced to miss the first training session of the week at the squad’s Surrey training base to continue rehabilitation.
The 25-year-old Harlequins wing made his Test debut at the Aviva Stadium and while he ran in the opening try, he was responsible for two glaring errors that invited pressure on to England, leaving him fighting for his place in the team.
Head coach Steve Borthwick names his team for the round two fixture at Allianz Stadium on Thursday and Murley received backing on social media from former England captain Will Carling.
“For those throwing the mud, the truth is @cadan_murley scored a try, assisted another and made a try saving tackle, alongside other positive additions to Englands performance,” Carling said on X.
“He made a couple of mistakes, who doesn’t on their debut!! But overall, he should be proud, I hope he is.”
Ollie Sleightholme is the most likely alternative to fill the number 11 jersey if Murley is ruled out as England look to give their Six Nations lift-off after a disappointing start in Dublin.
