Sunday Snippets

Davies concern for Wales: Wales head coach Warren Gatland is waking up to worrying news surrounding one of his star players, outside centre Jonathan Davies. Having been left out of Clermont’s match day squad for their French Top 14 clash with La Rochelle yesterday, reports have begun to emerge of a thigh injury to the former Llanelli Scarlet. Davies, who has been a vital cog in Gatland’s wheel in recent years, is currently nursing a troublesome thigh injury problem and neither Wales nor Clermont wanted to risk further damage by playing him against lowly La Rochelle. With Davies one of the first names pencilled in on Warren Gatland’s starting XV, there is now concern surrounding the make-up of his midfield ahead of next Friday’s clash with England at the Millennium Stadium. While Gatland has previously utilised George North in the 13 jersey, the Northampton Saint has struggled for form this season to date and remains a more potent force on the wing. Gatland will be hoping he gets his British and Irish Lions centre fit in time for the Six Nations championship opener. 

Slade gets the nod: Exeter Chiefs flyhalf cum centre Henry Slade has been handed an international call-up by England boss Stuart Lancaster as his side prepare to take on Wales next Friday. Slade, who has been in impressive form of late, including Friday night’s much deserved win over the Irish Wolfhounds at Musgrave Park, is the major benefactor from a long list of injuries which currently features the likes of Owen Farrell, Brad Barritt and Kyle Eastmond to name but a few. Having scored 13 points in the win over the Irish second side on Friday and controlled the game from start to finish with an assured performance for John Callard’s Saxons, 21 year old Slade’s versatility may well earn him a spot amongst Lancaster’s match day squad on the replacements bench. Elsewhere, tight head prop Henry Thomas will also link up with the England squad, as cover for Bath’s Davey Wilson, who continues to undergo treatment for a nerve impingement in his neck.

Ryan Sheady