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Here are your rugby headlines for Thursday, January 15.
Wales star to move position as Costelow returns
New Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies has made it clear he will be moving Wales star Joe Hawkins back to centre following his arrival at the club, as he revealed Sam Costelow is finally in contention for selection.
Hawkins has been playing outside-half for the Welsh region in the absence of Costelow, who has been out with an ankle injury, but Davies is clear that will not continue going forward, insisting he needs to concentrate on developing as a 12.
Costelow’s return is a timely one for the Scarlets, while the player will hope his availability could see him force his way back into the Wales squad for the Six Nations.
Davies, who has picked the team for this weekend’s European match against Northampton and says he is now fully accountable for results after being parachuted in above Dwayne Peel, said: “We are pretty good with injuries. I’m really happy with the team I am able to select. There’s a couple of combinations I am looking forward to seeing.
“Sam is in contention for selection. He’s a natural 10, without a shadow of a doubt. It’s different with Joe. I think he is a fantastic rugby player and we have to be careful with him because he has been moved around a little bit.
“I know and he knows his best position is 12. We have to develop him in that role. He played there against New Zealand and he just amazed people with his ability.
“We have to get him back playing in that role. As a ball-playing 12, being comfortable to play at 10 is useful but is not the primary role. He gives us two first receivers and two good communicators. Sam will benefit from Joe’s ability to understand the pressures he’s under.”
Ireland rocked by double Six Nations injury blow
Ireland’s Six Nations preparations have been dealt a significant setback with concerns growing over their loosehead prop stocks.
Set-piece issues have already been under the microscope following Ireland’s struggles at scrum time in recent months, most notably when they were put under severe pressure by South Africa in November. Those worries have now intensified after it emerged the national side could be without both of their leading options on the loosehead side of the scrum for the duration of the championship.
Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy are both understood to be facing spells on the sidelines, leaving Ireland’s front-row depth under serious strain heading into the opening rounds of the tournament.
Former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman outlined the scale of the problem while speaking on the RTÉ Rugby Podcast, describing the situation as a case of cruel misfortune.
“The talk is that Paddy McCarthy could be out for five or six months,” Jackman said.
“Andrew Porter might be looking at something like two to three months.
“From what I’ve heard, both are expected to miss the Six Nations, although Porter might have an outside chance of returning towards the very end.”
With two senior options potentially unavailable, Ireland may be forced to look to less experienced names to shore up the position.
Leinster’s Jack Boyle and Munster prop Michael Milne are among those likely to come into contention as the coaching staff weigh up their options.
However, Jackman suggested experience could yet play a role in the selection debate, hinting that Ireland might consider short-term cover.
“You’ve got Michael Milne, Jack Boyle and others,” he added.
“But would they consider someone like Denis Buckley or Peter Dooley as an emergency option? Having a really seasoned loosehead and scrummager could be valuable, especially given the pressure they’re likely to face.”
England star emerges as Six Nations doubt
By Duncan Bech, Press Association Rugby Union Correspondent
Fin Smith could be a doubt for England’s Six Nations opener against Wales on February 7 because of a calf injury.
Smith was withdrawn from the Northampton side that fell to a 50-28 Investec Champions Cup defeat at Bordeaux on Sunday just hours before kick-off and is waiting for the results of a scan that will outline a timeframe for his return.
Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson has revealed the British and Irish Lions fly-half will be out for at least a fortnight, leaving Steve Borthwick sweating on his fitness for the visit of Wales.
George Ford started three of England’s four Tests in the autumn but Smith was given the number 10 jersey against Fiji and was on the bench for the opener against Australia.
“Fin Smith’s dealing with a calf strain. We’re still waiting to see how long that is from a scan point of view,” Dowson said.
“It’s probably minimum two weeks, but with a muscle injury it’s hard to give a timeline beyond that.
“It’s not months and months and he’s not going to be back this weekend, so somewhere in between that.”
Calf issues are also troubling George Furbank, the England full-back who, according to Dowson, is a “frustrated figure”.
Northampton are taking a cautious approach to Furbank’s return given he was troubled by a significant calf problem in 2025 and has not been able to play since December 20.
“George has felt some tightness in his calves,” said Dowson ahead of Sunday’s final Champions Cup group match against Scarlets at Franklin’s Gardens.
“I don’t think it’s major but at the same time with the history he’s had, we’re going to play it very, very conservatively and be pragmatic.
“That’s based on his injury record from last year and the different things that waylaid him. We just want to make sure that we’re not going through that same cycle again this year.
“He cuts a frustrated figure but he also buys into the fact that he doesn’t want to be in and out. We want to look after him. Once he’s back, we want him to get a run of games in.”
Fraser Dingwall, another of Saints’ England contingent, has been given the all-clear by a specialist to make his comeback on Sunday after he was knocked out against Harlequins on January 3.
Northampton have already qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions Cup but are aiming to finish Pool Four in third place, giving them an easier draw for the round of 16.
Scarlets are bottom of the United Rugby Championship but Dowson said: “A question I’ve been asked is around the Welsh getting stuck into the English and having absolutely nothing to lose here.
“There’s a different flavour to the game and I’m conscious that Scarlets will be coming here with every opportunity to get stuck into us and cause a scene.”
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