Injury Setback for Rhys Webb Return

Getty Images

Rhys Webb’s hopes of a Wales recall against France have received a setback. The scrum-half has not played for Wales since suffering a foot ligament injury during a World Cup warm-up game against Italy in September.

Webb, Welsh rugby’s player of the year, returned from injury on Sunday as the Ospreys beat Munster 20-17 in Cork. The 27-year-old, suffered a head injury and is extremely doubtful for Edinburgh’s Pro12 visit to the Liberty Stadium on Friday.

“It’s disappointing for us but more importantly it’s about Rhys,” the coach, Steve Tandy, said. “I don’t think it’ll keep him out for too long but with these head injury assessments you’ve got to make sure players are at the forefront of these decisions. Rhys is extremely doubtful [for the Edinburgh game].”

The Scarlets scrum-half Gareth Davies has made a considerable impact in Webb’s absence. Davies scored a try in Wales’ World Cup win over England at Twickenham and claimed another stunning solo score during the Six Nations victory over Scotland in Cardiff on Saturday.

Webb had been hoping to impress the Wales coaching staff this weekend before France’s visit to the Principality Stadium on 26 February.

Having edged out Scotland 27-23 on the back of a draw with Ireland in Dublin, Wales know victory over France should set up a title decider with England at Twickenham on 12 March. Wales’ final Six Nations game is at home to Italy on 19 March.

“Someone asked how we felt after the Ireland game,” said the Wales hooker Scott Baldwin. “The reality was then if we went on to win our remaining games we’d win the championship. Ireland have since lost, but we have two massive games coming up – against France and England – before finishing off against Italy. If we keep creating chances and finishing them off, we should be in a good place in two or three weeks’ time.”

Wales’ attacking creativity has been criticised in the opening two games but Baldwin believes they are on the right track after scoring three tries against Scotland.

"We improved this week and finished one or two off, but there are still opportunities we are creating that we are not taking,” he said. “It’s about nailing the little moments. When we start nailing those, we’ll start scoring a lot more tries.”

Related articles

• 'Cardiff City V Swansea City was so full on my family were told they couldn't travel alone'
• Alan Pardew: Crystal Palace need more going forward even with 'top drawer' Emmanuel Adebayor
• Jonjo Shelvey finally gets some positive comments from somebody who worked with him at Swansea City
• Lifeguards Find Corpse by Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma
• Osprey to market efficiency of DyeVert
• Adebayor's Crystal Palace Give Swansea City a Tough Match

Wales Benefit from Biggar Recovery

Dan Biggar has been passed fit to play in an unchanged Wales team for Saturday’s Six Nations meeting with Scotland in Cardiff.

Biggar limped off midway through the first half of last weekend’s 16–16 draw with Ireland in Dublin after suffering a sprained ankle, and was replaced by Rhys Priestland.

He trained with the Wales squad on Thursday and the head coach Warren Gatland said: “He had to get through today’s training.

“He has made a miraculous recovery. The boys were joking and calling him Lazarus and stuff. He got through training today and looked sharp. We feared the worst after the game.

"I spoke to the medics, who thought that the injury was a three to five-week injury, but the scan came back clear and he has worked really hard in terms of his recovery.”

With Biggar playing, the only change is on the bench where the Cardiff Blues back Gareth Anscombe, who was ruled out of the Ireland game because of a tight hamstring, replaces Alex Cuthbert.

Biggar was Wales’ star performer during the World Cup and his return to fitness is a major boost for Gatland.

Elsewhere, the coach has again selected the captain Sam Warburton at blindside flanker, with Justin Tipuric wearing the N07 shirt, while the Scarlets props Rob Evans and Samson Lee have another opportunity to impress following a strong scrummaging performance against Ireland.

The centre Jonathan Davies wins his 50th cap and lines up alongside his midfield partner Jamie Roberts for the 41st time in Tests, with Anscombe offering versatile back division cover off the bench.

“It’s great to be able to name an unchanged side, with Dan coming through, fit and ready to play,” Gatland said. “It is a reward for some players who put in a great shift in Dublin, while we will be asking a little more of some of the players as well.”

Wales have not lost to Scotland since Gatland took charge in 2008, winning eight successive Tests, while the Scots last triumphed in Cardiff 14 years ago.

Although Wales saw their grand slam and triple crown hopes disappear with the draw in Dublin, they still appear well placed for a major title push

Three of their four remaining games are at home – they also face England at Twickenham on 12 March – with Scotland being followed at the Principality Stadium by France and Italy.

Wales 

Liam Williams (Scarlets); G North (Northampton), J Davies (Clermont Auvergne), J Roberts (Harlequins), T James (Cardiff Blues); D Biggar (Ospreys), G Davies (Scarlets); R Evans (Scarlets), S Baldwin (Ospreys), S Lee (Scarlets), L Charteris (Racing), AW Jones (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements K Owens (Scarlets), G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), T Francis (Exeter), B Davies (Wasps), D Lydiate (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Priestland (Bath), G Anscombe (Cardiff Blues).

Related articles

• Luke Charteris says Wales require same 2015 defensive standard in Dublin... but hopes to make a few less tackles!
• Lawyer to teacher: Meet the career-changers
• Anscombe out as Williams called in
• Newport school children compete for healthy eating trophy
• Wales left counting cost of Ireland draw
• Plated or Poured: Game-Day Sloppy Joe Sliders

Rampant Pumas Maul Ireland

Argentina scored two late tries to seal an emphatic 43-20 win over Ireland in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals and continue the southern hemisphere's domination of the tournament.

Ireland's record of never having reached the semi-final of a World Cup continued as Argentina scored four tries through Juan Imhoff (2), Matias Moroni and Joaquin Tuculet.

Ireland battled back from a first-quarter deficit of 17-0 with tries from Luke Fitzgerald and Jordi Murphy making it a three-point game at one stage, but the Pumas powered away in the closing stages to repeat their 1999 and 2007 World Cup victories over the Irish.

Ireland, who have never reached the semi-finals of a World Cup, started as favourites but the absence of injured trio Sexton, O'Connell and O'Mahony, as well as the suspended O'Brien, gave Argentina belief that they would be able to bridge the gap.

And they started in spectacular fashion with a third-minute try after flanker Pablo Matera made hard yards down the middle.

The ball went quickly through the hands of Nicolas Sanchez, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Santiago Cordero before Moroni crossed in the corner the corner, Sanchez converting for a seven-point lead.

Ireland were shell-shocked but worse was to come after 10 minutes when another free-flowing move ended with Cordero's kick exposing the Irish cover.

It was touch and go whether wing Imhoff would reach the ball in time to ground it, but replays showed he did so brilliantly and Sanchez added the extras with a kick off the upright.

Ireland's injury curse struck again when Tommy Bowe left the field on a cart and Sanchez extended Argentina's lead to 17 points with a well-struck penalty.

But Argentina's momentum was slowed by the sin-binning of prop Ramiro Herrera for a late tackle on Keith Earls and Madigan finally put Ireland points on the scoreboard with a straightforward penalty.

However, Argentina restored their 17-point advantage when Ireland flanker Henry was penalised for entering the wrong side of a ruck and Sanchez's trusty boot did the rest.

Sanchez struck the post with another long-range attempt and Ireland made the most of their good fortune to counter from deep and Robbie Henshaw freed replacement wing Fitzgerald into space, who raced inside Tuculet for a try which Madigan converted.

Ireland were belatedly finding some rhythm but Argentina regained their composure and held the men in green at bay until the break.

The next score was crucial and Ireland almost raised the Millennium Stadium roof within four minutes of the restart when Fitzgerald made the most of quick line-out ball off the top.

Fitzgerald burst through some half-hearted Pumas tackling and off-loaded to Murphy, who charged over for a try which sent the Irish majority in the Cardiff crowd wild.

Madigan's conversion reduced it to a three-point game and they pummelled the Argentina line again, only for the Pumas defence to hold firm this time.

Argentina managed to find some breathing space and Imhoff's burst set up good field position, which allowed Sanchez to land a penalty and extend the gap to 23-17.

But Herrera's indiscipline caught up with him again at a ruck and Madigan was on target to leave the game on a knife-edge.

Ireland were applying pressure at the scrum as the contest headed towards its final quarter, but Madigan failed to take an opportunity to level the scores with a kick from just inside the Argentina half.

Argentina were appearing rattled but they enjoyed some territory and Devon Toner was penalised for a high tackle on Sanchez, which the outside-half made the most of to add another three points.

Both sides were making errors with so much at stake but Argentina were keeping Ireland at arm's length and making sure the game was being played in their opponents' half.

They looked to have had a penalty for a scrum infringement but Cordero broke into the Ireland 22 down the right.

The ball was recycled from right to left and Argentina had an extra man over, but Tuculet went for the gap and the television match official confirmed that the full-back had applied downward pressure before losing the ball.

Sanchez converted for a 33-20 lead and Imhoff powered through for his second try of the game, and his fifth of the tournament, to put the issue beyond doubt eight minutes from time.

The outside-half took his final total to 23 with his fourth conversion and fifth penalty of the game as Argentina eased into a semi-final date with Australia.

Related articles

• Rugby World Cup: Ireland to face Canada in Cardiff
• Rugby World Cup Predictor Game: Make your picks for the second batch of matches. Will Japan triumph again?
• Ireland out to hit the ground running against Canada
• Ireland out to hit the ground running against Canada
• Rugby World Cup: Act fast to grab last tickets for 2015 championship
• Fitzgerald to replace injured Henshaw against Canada

Michalak and Pape to Retire

Frederic Michalak has ended his international career after Les Bleus' crushing 62-13 defeat by New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.

"It's a sad end but my body can't respond anymore," Michalak, who left the pitch with a thigh injury after 11 minutes at the Millennium Stadium, confirmed.

The Toulon player, 33, won 77 international caps and played in three World Cups, in 2003, 2007 and this year. He is under contract with Toulon until 2016.

France lock Pascal Pape is also retiring from internationals.

Captain Thierry Dusautoir, the 2011 world player of the year, declined to comment when asked on Saturday if he had played his last game for France.

Related articles

• France players take in the sights of London ahead of upcoming clash with Romania
• Arsenal stars Aaron Ramsey, Francis Coquelin and Calum Chambers test their rugby skills
• Ireland win first World Cup game against Canada
• Show us your Rugby World Cup fan pictures as Cardiff buzzed with match day fever
• Rugby World Cup 2015 photo gallery: France
• Little Flash as France Tops Italy

Republic Face Bosnia Herzegovina

The Republic of Ireland have been paired with Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Euro 2016 play-offs.

The first leg will take place in Bosnia-Herzegovina on November 12, 13 or 14, with the return game on November 15, 16 or 17.

The winner on aggregate - using away goals if necessary - will then go into the main tournament draw, which will take place on December 12.

Martin O'Neill's men missed the chance of automatic qualification when they were beaten 2-1 by Poland in their final group game, leaving them third in the group and forcing them to settle for a play-off spot.

Bosnia finished third behind Belgium and Wales in Group B but took four points off Chris Coleman's side, drawing 0-0 in Cardiff last October and winning 2-0 in Zenica earlier this month.

Five of their seven previous attempts at making major finals via the play-off route in the last 50 years have ended in heartache. 

Full draw

Ukraine v Slovenia

Sweden v Denmark

Bosnia-Herzegovina v Republic of Ireland

Norway v Hungary

Related articles

• What next for Wales in Euro 2016? Who is left to play and how many points to do they need to qualify?
• BlackBerry plans for premium Android device may miss market
• Aaron Ramsey confident Wales can secure Euro 2016 place in style
• Aaron Ramsey says Wales are so confident they'll go for all three points in Bosnia, even when a draw will do to qualify for Euro 2016
• Coleman: 'Fatigue took its toll on Wales'
• European Championship Qualifiers: Winners and Losers from Sunday's Games

OSM - Ireland's Call - Play Off or Knock Out

subscription only

France v Ireland - Teams

Iain Henderson is a shock absentee from the Ireland starting XV for Sunday's World Cup game against France while Jared Payne is not risked after injury.

Henderson, outstanding in recent games, is replaced by Devin Toner at lock while Keith Earls stays at centre as Payne recovers from a bruised foot.

Rob Kearney returns at full-back in place of Simon Zebo with Cian Healy preferred to Jack McGrath at prop.

France make two changes with Louis Picamoles and Noa Nakaitaci recalled.

Number eight Picamoles replaces Bernard le Roux in the back row for the Pool D decider in one of two changes from the 41-18 win over Canada.

Coach Philippe Saint-Andre's other change sees Fijian-born win Nakaitaci taking over from Remy Grosso.

Both France and Ireland have won their opening three games in Pool D and the losers of Sunday's match are likely to face New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

Henderson's demotion to the replacements is a big call by Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, with the New Zealander believing that six foot 11 inch Toner is needed to disrupt the effectiveness of the France line-out.

Yet Henderson's energetic work around the field has probably been the most impressive feature of Ireland's World Cup so far.

The Ulsterman was man of the match in last weekend's narrow win over Italy and is certain to come on during the Millennium Stadium contest.

Schmidt said the decision to recall Toner had been "a really tight call".

"Dev has been a big-match player for us and gives us a little bit more line-out capability," added the Ireland coach.

"We (also) do believe that at the back end of the game, Iain will add value."

Payne trained fully on Wednesday after missing the Italy game but swelling on his injured foot following that session sealed his fate.

France likely to target Sexton channel

With Earls remaining at centre, Tommy Bowe and Dave Kearney retain the wing spots as fit-again Rob Kearney returns at full-back in place of Simon Zebo.

Healy is named at loosehead prop after his Leinster team-mate McGrath started in the front row role against Italy.

Lions forward Healy started Ireland's second World Cup match against Romania after making his return to action following neck surgery as a replacement in the opening win over Canada.

In the France selection, Picamoles' return sees Damien Chouly switching to flanker with experienced skipper Thierry Dusautoir completing a strong back row.

France have talked this week of targeting Ireland pivot Johnny Sexton and skipper Dusautoir and number eight Picamoles will be central to that aim.

Toulon's powerful centre Mathieu Bastareaud is also likely to be part of France's tactics to disrupt fly-half Sexton.

Ireland: Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Dave Kearney; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Devin Toner, Paul O'Connell; Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heasip.

Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Jack McGrath, Nathan White, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Luke Fitzgerald.

France: Scott Spedding; Noa Nakaitaci, Mathieu Bastareaud, Wesley Fofana, Brice Dulin; Frederic Michalak, Sebastien Tillous-Borde; Eddy Ben Arous, Guilhem Guirado, Rabah Slimani; Pascal Pape, Yoann Maestri; Thierry Dusautior (capt), Damien Chouly, Louis Picamoles.

Replacements: Benjamin Kayser, Vincent Debaty, Nicolas Mas, Alexandre Flanquart, Bernard Le Roux, Morgan Parra, Remi Tales, Alexandre Dumoulin

Related articles

• Fitzgerald to replace injured Henshaw against Canada
• Ireland at full strength for World Cup opener
• France captain Thierry Dusautoir claims he is a fan of Croydon after all!
• Ireland vs Canada, Rugby World Cup, match report: Impressive Ireland begin campaign in style
• Irish handed Healy boost for opener
• Ireland win first World Cup game against Canada

Wales Bale Out for Safety

Getty Images

Wales manager Chris Coleman says he was not prepared to risk Gareth Bale in their 2-1 defeat away by Macedonia.

World-record signing Bale was named on the bench for the World Cup qualifying loss in Skopje, which finally ended Wales' slim hopes of making the finals.

But despite that, Coleman said Bale's lack of match fitness after injury meant he was never going to play.

"We cannot risk Gareth Bale or any of our players, we've got to send them back to their clubs," Coleman said.

"He's only probably trained three or four times in the last two months.

"He's such an athlete and he wanted to come. He came the evening of his unveiling in Madrid, he's trained the next day, he's trained three days - he's not ready.

"We can't take that risk. If he comes on and, God forbid, anything happens, then how is that building a relationship with Real Madrid?

"We know we need to win the game but we're also looking at the bigger picture.

"We can't be sending back players injured because we're taking chances - it's not fair on them."

Wales now need to beat Serbia in Cardiff on Tuesday to maintain any hope of claiming third place in Group A, which would boost their seeding when the draw for Euro 2016 qualification is made.

Coleman said there was an outside chance Bale could come off the bench against Serbia.

"He's never going to be ready to start, it's as simple as that," Coleman said. "The fact he's turned up and is trying to be fit for us is such a huge positive and if he's ready then he may play a part.

"We'll see how he reacts between now and Tuesday."

Coleman, who suffered the embarrassment of arriving late in Skopje on Thursday after missing the team flight from Cardiff because of a lost passport, said he regretted a missed opportunity to beat Macedonia.

Ivan Trickovski had given Macedonia the lead after a deflected free-kick fell kindly, but Wales fought back through an Aaron Ramsey penalty he won himself.

However, sloppy play on the edge of Wales' own area let Aleksandar Trajkovski snatch a late winner for the home side.

"I'm gobsmacked really. You know anything can happen and you get nervous but I was very confident," said the Wales boss.

"Even when we went 1-0 down there was a feeling about us and an atmosphere about us that was positive and I felt that we were going to win the game.

"[Craig] Bellamy hits a post, Ramsey sticks a penalty in and we were always the one in the ascendency. Half-time came too quickly for us.

"What's missing at the minute is really sticking the knife into teams when we're on top and finishing them off."

Related articles

• Macedonia 2-1 Wales: Gareth Bale is an £85m unused sub as late strike denies Dragons
• Not right to risk Bale, says Coleman
• Macedonia 2 - 1 Wales: Gareth Bale stays on bench as Chris Coleman's side slump to defeat
• Chris Coleman: 'I didn't consider playing Gareth Bale'
• Bale sees Wales slip to defeat
• Macedonia 2 Wales 1 : Welsh qualification hopes shatter with a costly defeat