Halfpenny doubtful for Wales

WALES full-back Leigh Halfpenny’s chances of facing England in the Six Nations remain slim after he was ruled out of Scarlets action this weekend. The 30-year-old was released back to Scarlets this week, but has not been considered for today’s PRO14 trip to Benetton. Halfpenny has returned to full training but has not tasted match action since November owing to concussion issues. Wales host England in Cardiff on February 23, with Halfpenny remaining a serious doubt to feature in the keenly-anticipated showdown. ‘Leigh Halfpenny was not considered for the Scarlets fixture against Benetton Rugby this weekend,’ read a Welsh Rugby Union statement.

ENGLAND’S scrum coach has called on his forwards to raise their game against Wales to make up for the loss of Mako Vunipola. The Saracens loosehead is out of the rest of the Six Nations tournament with ankle ligament damage, leaving Ellis Genge and Ben Moon fighting it out for the No 1 shirt at the Principality Stadium next Saturday. ‘You don’t really replace someone like Mako, but it is an opportunity for Ben Moon and Ellis Genge,’ said Neal Hatley. Hatley is sure that Genge will not be riled by the Welsh, who know he doesn’t have the longest fuse in the pack.

GLASGOW Warriors head coach Dave Rennie insists prop Zander Fagerson has made a complete recovery from a broken leg and will be ready for Six Nations duty in Paris next weekend. The tighthead prop will make his comeback for the Warriors against Cardiff Blues in the Pro14 fixture tonight, his first competitive action since being injured against the Cheetahs in South Africa back in September Provided he comes through unscathed against the Welsh outfit, Rennie expects Fagerson to be immediately called up by Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend. ‘Zander is working really hard and is ready to go,’ said Rennie. ‘Look, there is no doubt he will be a tad rusty but I thought he was outstanding for us in the first three weeks of the Pro14 before he got injured in September.’