Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, February 13.
Scotland make official complaint
Scotland have decided to escalate their anger at the decision that cost them victory over France last weekend, claiming the integrity of the Six Nations has been compromised.
The BBC report Scottish rugby have formally written to World Rugby seeking a public admission officials got the last-minute decision wrong.
With Scotland trailing 20-16 in the dying seconds, Sam Skinner appeared to burrow his way over for a match-winning score, only to be denied by referee Nic Berry and TMO Brian MacNiece. The pair spent nearly five minutes analysing video evidence, seemingly concluding the ball was grounded, before saying they could not be entirely sure. Given Berry had initially ruled the ball was held up, the try did not stand as the game ended amid jeers from the Murrayfield crowd.
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In an email to World Rugby, the SRU say the integrity of the tournament was compromised and are challenging the process that was followed.
A source told the BBC: "The dialogue between the referee and the TMO made no sense," said a source close to the situation. "The message from the SRU was articulated in the sense that there are concerns about why this happened. There is a need for lessons being learned so that it never happens again. This is not about Scottish Rugby being belligerent. It would be good if there was a statement saying that having had time to reflect and review the video evidence what happened was wrong."
Wales football manager helps England
Welsh football manager Tony Pulis has been helping the England rugby team. During his managerial career Pulis has taken the helm at Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace.
He guided Stoke back to the Premier League in May 2008, and kept the club in the English top flight for five years. He also reached an FA Cup final in 2011, where they lost to Manchester City.
The Newport-born man revealed that he had retired from management back in January 2023. He hadn't managed a club since being sacked by Sheffield Wednesday in 2020. Now over a year after his retirement announcement, Pulis appeared as a guest on talkSPORT's Jim White & Simon Jordan Show. He revealed that he has been helping out with the England rugby team since the World Cup.
And in an unlikely partnership, it seems that Pulis and Steve Borthwick are good friends. Addressing his retirement, the Welshman said: "I've enjoyed being able to do what I want to do.
"I've done a little bit for Steve Borthwick, with the England team. I've enjoyed that. I went to the game on Saturday to watch Wales, I was disappointed. The problem was my grandson, who had an England hat on, was absolutely delighted! So there wasn't much talking on the way back home."
White asked: "You're doing a bit for Borthwick? The rugby boys?"
"Yeah, Eddie Jones invited me up to London and we sat down and had dinner with all the coaches," Pulis replied. "We just had an evening together talking about different aspects of sport, team building and collectiveness.
"Steve came to see me. Came down to Bournemouth, had a couple of days with me in Bournemouth. I went up to Leicester, had a couple of days when he'd just taken over from Leicester. And we've kept in touch. He'll send me a message now and then, and I'll send him certain stuff. I do enjoy it. Being a Welshman I do enjoy it as well. He invited me over to the World Cup last year, went down to Marseille and watched England's first game down there."
Giles signs new Ospreys deal
The Ospreys have announced in-form winger Keelan Giles has committed his future to the team by signing a new contract.
Giles, a product of Waunarlywdd RFC and the Ospreys' academy system, has been an integral part of the side's backline since his emergence onto the senior scene.
Giles has scored 32 tries in 85 appearances for the Welsh side, five of those coming this season. Speaking on the signing, head coach Toby Booth said: ”Keeping Keelan at the Ospreys is a huge boost for everyone connected with the club. He's an exciting talent that can often light up a game and we know there’s even more to come from him.
“Keelan is an important part of our team. We've seen him grow here and it's clear he represents the values and ambition of the Ospreys."
Giles added: ”The Ospreys have been a massive part of my career and I'm over the moon to have signed a new deal. I grew up supporting the Ospreys, this is my home club and I'm excited to continue my development here.
“We’ve got a great bunch of players and coaches here and I’ve been enjoying my rugby lately, so signing this deal was a no-brainer for me.”
Ireland wary of underestimating Wales
By Ed Elliot, PA, Dublin
Jack Conan acknowledges history-chasing Ireland could "fall flat on our face" if they become sidetracked by talk of successive Grand Slam titles.
Andy Farrell's men are seeking to become the first side in the Guinness Six Nations era to complete consecutive championship clean sweeps. Bonus-point victories over pre-tournament favourites France and perennial wooden spoon winners Italy have propelled the defending champions into pole position for more glory.
Winless Wales travel to Dublin in round three on February 24 before Ireland face further Triple Crown fixtures against England and Scotland next month.
Leinster back-rower Conan, who claimed the third of six tries in Sunday's 36-0 demolition of the Azzurri, said: "I don't think there's a cautious excitement; there are just expectations within the group of what we do with the moment in front of your face.
"Before this week, there was no chat of Wales, Scotland, England, anything like that; it was Italy, Italy, Italy.
"That was all that mattered to us and that will be the case next week. It will all be about Wales.
"It's great people outside of the environment (are excited about a potential Grand Slam), they can have that buzz all they want, but if we don't go out and get the job done against Wales then we kind of fall flat on our face.
"We're not looking at all past that, we're not looking past the moment in front of our faces and just being present.
"It doesn't always happen and there were loads of mistakes (against Italy) but I think it's a pretty good starting point where we're at at the moment."
Head coach Farrell has received regular praise for creating an enjoyable environment in the Ireland camp.
Conan believes a selflessness among the group has been key to recent successes, including the 2022 tour victory in New Zealand and last year's Grand Slam.
"The needs of the many are greater than the needs of the few so it's important to fit in and do the role you've been asked to do," said Conan, who has often been a replacement during that period.
"We're very lucky that there are such good men in the group and good quality that no matter what is asked of people they do it and there's no complaints.
"It's an incredibly selfless group and you do what your team-mates and coaching staff ask of you.
"I think it's one of the reasons why we've been so successful over the last few years because everyone wants to add to the value of the group."
Number eight Conan on Sunday made his first Test start since suffering a foot injury against Italy last August, which limited his World Cup participation.
The 31-year-old British and Irish Lion, who made his international debut in 2015 but has been restricted to 43 caps, partly due to fitness setbacks, is determined to savour the remainder of his career.
"For all the things I've ever done, whether it's Leinster or playing for the Lions, it is the greatest honour to play for your country and it's definitely something that's not lost on me," Conan said.
"I try to relish every moment I'm out there, no matter how blowing you are or how tough it is, it's something that comes and goes so quickly and I've had a lot of gaps in my career where I haven't played.
"I've been in and out of teams. I have, by my own admission, under performed at times and you've just got to savour it when you get the opportunity and make the most of it."
