These are your morning headlines on Tuesday, February 6.
Ospreys close in on signing
The Ospreys are closing in on the signing of powerful loosehead Steffan Thomas from the Scarlets.
Thomas' Scarlets contract expires at the end of the current season, and the 26-year-old is expected to make the short journey across the Loughor Bridge to join arch-rivals the Ospreys. The former Wales U20s prop has been a solid performer for the Scarlets but is behind Wyn Jones and Kemsley Mathias in the pecking order.
Should he put pen to paper on a deal with the Swansea-based region the Newcastle Emlyn product will compete with his cousin Gareth Thomas for the number one jersey at the Ospreys. The Ospreys also have destructive scrummager Nicky Smith on their books, but even though the experienced Wales international recently signed a new long-term deal it is understood he has a breakout clause in his contract and is wanted by clubs in England and France.
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The salary cap in Wales is set to be as low as £4.5million next season, although two marquee players are permitted above the cap. This inevitably means some of Welsh rugby's top players will leave for England, France or Japan.
They are also in discussions with Wales scrum-half Kieran Hardy who is set to leave the Scarlets at the end of the season, but the deal has stalled over money and the 28-year-old is attracting interest from English clubs. But a move to the Ospreys is not dead in the water because a move outside of Wales could signal the end of Hardy's international career.
Rowlands back in fold
Will Rowlands has been pictured back in the Wales squad fold ahead of this weekend's big clash at Twickenham.
Rowlands missed the Test against Scotland at the weekend following complications after the birth of his child a few weeks ago. Warren Gatland had told the Racing 92 man to stay close to his family and travel to the Wales camp when he felt he was ready.
"Will hasn’t come into the squad yet. His wife had a baby a couple of weeks ago in France and unfortunately there were some complications," Gatland said last week.
"So the message to him has been stay home and be with your family. We always talk about how important that is and he’ll turn up when he’s ready."
With preparations now ramping up in England week, the Kiwi has been boosted by the return of the physical second row.
Rowlands' return poses Gatland with a selection poser for the clash in south west London, with Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard starting against Scotland in Cardiff, with Teddy Williams on the bench.
The smart money is likely on Rowlands being named among the replacements for the game against Steve Borthwick's men.
Duo proud of debuts
Cardiff duo Alex Mann and Cam Winnett have spoken of their delight after making their international debuts over the weekend. The youngsters may have come out on the wrong side of a pulsating 26-27 defeat at the Principality Stadium against Scotland but their respective, burgeoning reputations were certainly enhanced; Winnett started the clash in Cardiff and was solid, while Mann came off the bench to score in what was a bright cameo.
Both referenced the journey into the Welsh capital towards the stadium as moments they won't forget in a hurry.
"It was surreal to be honest," said Mann. "Going in and seeing everyone's faces, smiling on the bus. When I was younger, I was always looking at the bus, hoping to be there one day, so I can't put it into words, it's unbelievable.
"All the hard work you put in to wear that famous red jersey was worth it. My mum, my brother, my dad, I can’t thank them enough for everything so it’s a very proud day.
"It was unbelievable. When I scored I couldn't believe it. The boys did all of the hard work to be honest with you. I was lucky one with the ball. I felt Dom (Corey Domachowski) and Azza (Keiron Assiratti) piling in afterwards, so that was great."
Full-back Winnett echoed his team-mate's feelings. "It was mental to be honest, to see everyone driving up Westgate Street," he said. "I saw my father on the bin shouting at the window. It was giving me goosebumps to be honest.
"A proud moment myself as well, because obviously it's everything I've worked towards. All the sessions, all the coaches who helped me along the way, my family and friends, yeah it was amazing achievement.
"I had to get 22 tickets actually and I had a bus full coming down so yeah, amazing achievement."
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Farrell cools Grand Slam talk
By Ed Elliot, PA
Andy Farrell believes talk of leading Ireland to successive Grand Slam titles is premature as he attempts to build on the "feelgood factor" created by a resounding Guinness Six Nations victory over France.
Reigning champions Ireland made a statement of intent in Friday evening's curtain-raiser in Marseille with a stunning 38-17 bonus-point success over the pre-tournament favourites.
The fixture has proved to be a championship decider in each of the past two years, with the Irish dethroning Les Bleus 12 months ago thanks to a 32-19 Dublin win, which avenged a 30-24 loss in Paris in 2022.
Head coach Farrell acknowledges victory at Stade Velodrome was "pretty special" but is focused on conducting a thorough review of the contest and striving for improvement rather than contemplating silverware.
"We want to be in it (title contention) at the last week but internally we're hungry to be as good as we possibly can be," he said.
"In reality it's one win, it's one win out of one and we've got to be on to the next one.
"It (the championship) is not won or lost but it's about building on this.
"We tend to be pretty harsh on our performances when we've won because we're able to do that and make some good points so hopefully we're able to get better because of that.
"But the feelgood factor of a victory like that... it's a special victory, it definitely is and it's there to be celebrated, that's for sure."
