Rugby Digest

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Saint-André keeps faith

SIX NATIONS: France coach Philippe Saint-André has named the same side that had been due to play Ireland 10 days ago for Sunday’s Six Nations clash with Scotland.

The World Cup finalists opened their campaign with a 30-12 win over Italy before the Ireland match on February 11th was called off because of freezing conditions and rescheduled for March 4th.

While Scotland present a different challenge to Ireland, Saint-André felt it was only fair to give the starting XV their chance.

“We decided to keep the same team even though we must coach them differently. Scotland play well, keeping the ball a lot and having a lot of creativity. It will be a big test for us,” said Saint-André.

FRANCE (v Scotland, Murrayfield, Sunday, 3pm): M Medard; V Clerc, A Rougerie, W Fofana, J Malzieu; F Trinh-Duc, M Parra; J-B Poux, D Szarzewski, N Mas, P Pape, Y Maestri, T Dusautoir (capt), I Harinordoquy, L Picamoles. Replacements: W Servat, V Debaty, L Nallet, J Bonnaire, J Dupuy L Beauxis, M Mermoz.

Jenkins set to join Toulon

TOP 14: Prop Gethin Jenkins will join the Welsh player exodus to France next season.

Jenkins has confirmed he is to leave Cardiff Blues, and it is understood he has agreed a two-year contract with Toulon, linking up with a star-studded squad containing the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Matt Giteau and Bakkies Botha.

Jenkins’s Wales colleagues Mike Phillips, James Hook and Lee Byrne also play in France.

Cosgrove puts Sligo into the final

SCHOOLS RUGBY: Sligo Grammar School survived a spirited second half rally by Marist College to run out 6-3 winners in their Connacht Schools Junior Cup semi-final at the Grammar grounds yesterday.

Marist outhalf Charlie McMeekin put the visitors 3-0 ahead with a penalty after 15 minutes of the first half, a lead they held at half-time.

Grammar stepped up a gear after the break and two well-taken penalty goals by number eight Matthew Cosgrove proved to be decisive in the end.

Both sides made tremendous efforts to cross the try line but to no avail as the game finished in a welter of excitement.

Marist hit back to gain replay

SCHOOLS RUGBY: A 15-15 draw was a fair outcome to a cracking Connacht Schools Senior Cup semi-final between Rice College and Marist College in the wind and rain at Carrowholly in Westport yesterday.

This was Rice’s first appearance in a semi-final. They got a perfect start with a pushover try from prop Tom Geraghty after three minutes.

Cup favourites Marist hit back and levelled through tighthead John Gormley seven minutes later.

Rice led 12-5 at the break after number eight Sam McCormack finished off a fine move under the posts, with Dwayne Corcoran converting.

Marist looked dangerous when they took the ball up through the middle and they reduced the margin when Cormac Langdon crossed after 48 minutes.

Corcoran extended Rice’s lead with a good penalty into the wind but Marist drew level when right-wing Harry Hughes did well to finish in the corner with 14 minutes remaining.

Warburton back to captain Wales in Twickenham

SIX NATIONS: Openside flanker Sam Warburton will captain Wales against England in their Six Nations championship match at Twickenham on Saturday after recovering from a leg injury.

Warburton is one of three changes made by head coach Warren Gatland to the side who beat Scotland 27-13. Lock Alun Wyn Jones returns after recovering from a toe injury and Scarlets hooker Ken Owens has been handed a first start for his country.

Ryan Jones, who captained Wales against Scotland, drops to the bench and Owens replaces Huw Bennett, who misses out with a calf injury along with backrow forward Andy Powell.

Gatland retains the backline who performed so well in the victories over Ireland in Dublin and Scotland at home. Both teams have won their opening two matches in the tournament with Wales looking to clinch the Triple Crown.

WALES (v England, Twickenham, Saturday): L Halfpenny; A Cuthbert, J Davies, J Roberts, G North; R Priestland, M Phillips; G Jenkins, K Owens, A Jones, A Wyn Jones, I Evans, D Lydiate, S Warburton (capt), Toby Faletau. Replacements: R Hibbard, P James, R Jones, J Tipuric, L Williams, J Hook, S Williams.