Six Nations Squads Updated Ahead Of Round Four Fixtures
Six Nations Squads Updated Ahead Of Round Four Fixtures
Six Nations squads see key injury and selection changes ahead of round four, with Ireland, France, England and Wales confirming updates.
Preparations for round four of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations are underway across Europe, with Ireland, France, England and Wales all confirming squad adjustments through injury, suspension returns and selection changes ahead of a pivotal weekend of fixtures. No squad updates have yet been issued by either Italy or Scotland at the time of writing.
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Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has been able to welcome back centre Bundee Aki following suspension, strengthening midfield options ahead of Friday night’s meeting with Wales at the Aviva Stadium.
Aki returns after serving a ban imposed following misconduct towards match officials during Connacht’s United Rugby Championship fixture against Zebre Parma in January. The experienced centre missed Ireland’s opening three championship matches during his suspension period.
Ireland have also been reinforced by the return of several players released for provincial duty, including Jimmy O’Brien, while Robbie Henshaw is expected to rejoin the squad early in the week.
However, Farrell will be without fly half Harry Byrne, who has been ruled out after suffering a concussion during Leinster’s 8 - 7 URC defeat to Cardiff. Byrne exited the match shortly after kickoff and did not return. Although yet to feature in Ireland’s matchday squad during this year’s championship, Byrne had provided additional depth at stand off.
Ulster forward Cormac Izuchukwu also remains unavailable as he continues to follow graduated return to play protocols after sustaining concussion symptoms during a provincial training session.
France have made a change to their front row resources ahead of Saturday’s trip to face Scotland at Murrayfield, with tighthead prop Tevita Tatafu withdrawing from Fabien Galthié’s squad.
The French Rugby Federation confirmed Tatafu’s absence but did not specify the reason. The Bayonne prop has endured an injury disrupted season, having missed the opening months of the domestic campaign following an ankle injury sustained during preseason.
Racing 92 tighthead Demba Bamba has been called into the squad as replacement cover. The 27 year old brings 29 international caps and has featured regularly at club level this season following his return from injury last year. Bamba joins Dorian Aldegheri and Georges Henri Colombe among France’s tighthead options as preparations continue in Edinburgh.
England have also confirmed multiple changes ahead of their round four fixture against Italy in Rome.
Centre Ollie Lawrence has returned to Bath for rehabilitation after ongoing knee issues, despite recently rejoining the national setup. Lawrence had been considered a doubt after receiving treatment earlier in the week.
Scrum half Alex Mitchell has already been ruled out for the remainder of the championship after suffering a hamstring injury. Mitchell left the field during England’s previous fixture after 24 minutes and subsequent scans confirmed he would miss the final two rounds.
Jack van Poortvliet is expected to assume starting responsibilities at scrum half, while Sale Sharks number nine Raffi Quirke has been added to Steve Borthwick’s squad as injury cover.
Gloucester back Seb Atkinson, who featured in Premiership Rugby Cup action over the weekend at the request of England management, is among the players in contention to provide midfield cover, alongside Henry Slade and Tommy Freeman.
Wales have added Cardiff Rugby prop Keiron Assiratti and Dragons forward Ryan Woodman to their squad ahead of their trip to Dublin. Woodman links up with the national side as an uncapped addition, while Assiratti increases front row depth for the remainder of the tournament.
Away from immediate match preparations, Wales also confirmed that Pete Murchie will join Steve Tandy’s coaching staff as defence coach on a full time basis following the completion of the Japanese Rugby League One season. Murchie previously worked with Tandy at Glasgow Warriors and will formally begin the role ahead of this summer’s Nations Championship.
With teams finalising preparations for round four, further squad announcements are expected later in the week, particularly from Italy and Scotland, who have yet to release updated selections ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
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