4:42 PM GMT Ireland head coach Andy Farrell named a 35-man squad for the Six Nations, which will be captained by flyhalf Johnny Sexton. Sexton, who was named World Rugby player of the year in 2018, takes over the captaincy following the retirement of Rory Best after the World Cup. 1 Related “We have appointed

11:15 AM GMT Wayne Pivac handed a surprise Six Nations call-up to Saracens centre Nick Tompkins on Wednesday, while 18-year-old Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit was also included in the Wales squad for the first time. With an injury crisis plaguing Pivac’s midfield, the New Zealander turned to former England under-20 international Tompkins, 24, in the

10:21 AM GMT Stuart Hogg was named Scotland captain on Wednesday as coach Gregor Townsend announced his 38-man squad for the Six Nations. The Exeter Chiefs full-back, 27, takes over from Stuart McInally, who captained Scotland to a group-stage exit at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and is also included in Townsend’s squad.

1:26 PM GMT Eddie Jones has revamped his England backroom staff ahead of the 2020 Six Nations with World Cup-winning coach Matt Proudfoot joining alongside England Sevens coach Simon Amor. Proudfoot was a key cog in South Africa’s 2019 World Cup-winning backroom staff and joins as forwards coach. Amor leaves his position as head of

1:01 PM GMT Interim Italy coach Franco Smith has named a 35-man squad for next month’s Six Nations, handing call-ups to three uncapped players. Former South Africa international Smith, who led the Cheetahs to Currie Cup glory last year, was handed the task of leading the Azzuri through the Six Nations after Conor O’Shea’s departure

10:06 AM GMT Wales will take on Japan and New Zealand in three test matches in June and July as part of their 2020 summer tour, the Welsh Rugby Union said on Friday. Wales, who reached the semifinals of the Rugby World Cup in Japan last year, will face the Brave Blossoms on June 27.

9:44 AM GMT Exeter Chiefs second-row Sam Skinner is set to be fit for Scotland’s Six Nations campaign, having been out for five months with a hamstring injury. The 24-year-old missed the Rugby World Cup after injuring his hamstring during Scotland’s World Cup warm-up game against France at Murrayfield. Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter

4:11 PM GMT Munster and Ireland fly-half Joey Carbery will miss the 2020 Six Nations following surgery on a wrist ligament injury, the Irish club announced on Wednesday. With starting fly-half Johnny Sexton also sidelined as he recovers from knee ligament damage, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell faces a possible headache at the position ahead

1:32 PM GMT New France coach Fabien Galthie named a young 42-man squad spearheaded by Charles Ollivon for this year’s Six Nations, featuring 19 uncapped players. Toulon back-row Ollivon, who has played just 11 times for France, has battled injury throughout his career but made three impressive appearances for France during the Rugby World Cup

9:30 AM GMT Italy’s most-capped player Sergio Parisse will retire after this year’s Six Nations, ending his 18-year international career in front of home fans in the Stadio Olimpico. The 36-year-old was set to retire after the Rugby World Cup in Japan but was unable to play a farewell match when Italy’s final pool game