These are your rugby headlines on Sunday, March 23.
Ireland 'extremely concerned' about Wales woes
Former Ireland international Andrew Trimble says his compatriots take no pleasure in seeing the struggles of their Welsh counterparts and are instead "extremely concerned" about events on the other side of the Irish Sea.
After another winless Six Nations campaign and a 17th straight Test match defeat for Wales, Welsh rugby has hit a new low point with huge decisions lying ahead. While Irish fans would have previously loved to see their rivals struggle, former Ulster back Trimble says that gloating has now turned to concern.
"Irish rugby fans have probably got over [it]," he told Premier Sports. "For a couple of years, we were going 'it's great to see Wales not quite where they were'. But now we're probably getting to the point where we're extremely concerned.
"We need rugby in Wales pumping. Even the weekend when Ireland were in Cardiff, that was maybe a bit of a false dawn for Welsh rugby. We thought OK, this is it again. It was a reminder that Cardiff is an unbelievable place to go during the Six Nations, it's a great product. But then, yeah, the last couple of weeks...."
With Ireland disappointed by their third place finish in the Six Nations, Trimble added that those in his country "need a bit of perspective" when considering Welsh rugby's current issues.
"We're feeling sorry for ourselves because we've lost one game in the Six Nations in the last three years," he added. "Then I come here and I'm like 'who's died lads, why's everybody so down?'
"It's all about perspective, for Irish rugby it feels like there's a crisis, but you look over at how things are [here] and it feels really crucial and critical that Wales get these appointments right and they go on from here.
"But how long is this going to take, how patient are supporters sponsors, stakeholders, everything going to be? I think we need to be very patient, because it was a nice reminder in the Six Nations that, when Welsh rugby is pumping, it's an incredible thing to be a part of."
Wales star 'on a different level' after snub
Cardiff Rugby star Callum Sheedy says his team-mate Cam Winnett is "on a different level" as he praised the level of talent coming through at the region.
Full-back Winnett has long been seen as an exciting talent at Arms Park and was a surprise inclusion in Warren Gatland's Six Nations squad last year. At just 21 and with only 15 appearances in senior rugby under his belt, he was thrown right into the heart of the action but more than held his own throughout the campaign as he proved to be one of Wales' best players.
However, a year on from his international debut, Winnett was left out of Gatland's squad for this year's tournament - but the level-headed youngster has used the opportunity to work on his game and Sheedy has praised his "unbelievable" professionalism and hard work in training.
Speaking after Cardiff's dramatic win over the Lions on Friday night, the fly-half said: “Internally, I don’t think we’re fighting above our weight. If anything, we should be higher in the league because I look around that changing room, there’s so much talent there.
“You look at the young boys coming through, Cam Winnett is just on a different level. How professional he is week in, week out. He’s consistent. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him have a bad game. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him have a bad training session. He’s unbelievable."
However, it doesn't stop with Winnett, with Sheedy also identifying the trio of Alex Mann, Efan Daniel and Rhys Barratt as top young talents.
"It’s like the boys coming through are just really pushing the senior boys that the standard needs to be high at all times," the Wales international added. “I’m really excited where we can go this season. I’m really excited where we can go as a squad in the next few years. I think we’re in a great place.”
Ford in Lions mix, says coach
Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson has backed England star George Ford as a genuine contender to be picked for this summer's British & Irish Lions tour after an impressive performance against Newcastle Falcons.
Ford was in fine form as he helped his side to victory on Friday night by setting up two tries and kicking 14 points, less than a week after making a strong 25-minute cameo against Wales in the Six Nations. While those were his only minutes in the tournament, the fly-half set up two of Steve Borthwick's side's four tries while on the field in Cardiff.
The 32-year-old missed out on the 2017 and 2021 tours under Warren Gatland, but Sanderson says it will be "very hard" for new coach Andy Farrell not to pick Ford this time around if he can keep his current form going.
"If George plays like that in the next seven games, it would be very hard not to pick him," said Sale's director of rugby. "Plus the experience he's got and what he brings you in the week."
"George is like a coach on the field for you. You learn best from your peers and particularly in a Lions squad where you've got to bring people together, George is a brilliant character at doing that.
"He helps me out all the time with that," Sanderson added. "There are loads of factors that lead into him being a good option for the Lions."
England to roll with the punches
By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent
England plan to roll with the punches as they seek out the challenges they need to be ready for the home World Cup later this year.
Over the next six weekends, the Red Roses are aiming to win a seventh successive Guinness Women’s Six Nations title and an unprecedented fourth consecutive Grand Slam. Given they are the highest ranked women’s or men’s team in the history of the sport on the basis of winning 50 of their last 51 matches, extending their dominance of the Championship seems a formality.
But head coach John Mitchell expects there to be bumps in the road ahead as he uses a campaign that begins with Sunday’s opener against Italy in York to fine tune selection.
“In 2024 we were tested and we got some really good learnings, so we’ve got some really good feedback there,” Mitchell said. “We also had some learnings in 2023 as well so there’s a sprinkling of playing teams that have put us under pressure.
“We want to throw some punches in 2025 but I’m sure we’re going to get a few punches as well in the next few weeks. It’s important that we learn from that as well.”
The number of blow outs in the Six Nations has failed to dent its growing appeal with matches regularly being played in sold out grounds, including an 8,500 full house at the LNER Community Stadium on Sunday. England’s visit to Wales on March 29 will take place at the Principality Stadium and they host France at Allianz Stadium on April 26 in what should be a Grand Slam decider.
“The Six Nations has developed massively, especially here in England. Only a couple of years ago you didn’t see the crowds that we have today,” captain Zoe Aldcroft said. “Now we’re selling out stadiums and hopefully we’ll get really large numbers at Twickenham at the end of the tournament as well.
“The backing in general with the sponsors that are now coming in, it’s just now a huge tournament. And for us as a team, it’s a super important and special tournament for us to evolve in as well.
“On the pitch you have seen the development of players from all nations. The likes of Ireland are now lot more competitive. Ireland beat New Zealand in the WXV just gone, so the competitiveness of the matches has gone up as well.”
