Wales have suffered a blow to their hopes of securing the grand slam with news that the lock Cory Hill will miss the remainder of the Six Nations because of an ankle injury. Hill was hurt during Wales’s 21-13 victory against England at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
The Dragons forward scored a crucial try after a stunning 34-phase passage of play. The 27-year-old will not be able to repeat that feat during the remainder of the tournament after the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed he will miss the games against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday 9 March and against Ireland in Cardiff seven days later. With Hill on the sidelines, Adam Beard and Jake Ball are among the options to partner Alun Wyn Jones, the captain, in the second row.
Elsewhere, the former England centre Mathew Tait has announced his retirement. In a statement released by his club, Leicester, the 33-year-old said the decision was taken on medical advice because of an achilles injury.
Tait won 38 caps and started the 2007 World Cup final, when England were beaten by South Africa in Paris. He made his England debut as an 18-year-old and spent eight seasons with Leicester, after stints at Newcastle and Sale Sharks. He helped the Tigers win the 2013 Premiership final.
Tait said: “It isn’t how I planned to finish up, but ultimately this ongoing problem with my achilles has caught up on me. And, on the advice of people much more in the know than me, it’s the right time to call it quits.
“I have been so fortunate to achieve many things in the game and it’s hard to pinpoint one highlight, but being able to win the Premiership with Tigers stands out, as well as playing in a World Cup final.”
Leicester’s head coach, Geordan Murphy, added: “Mat has been among the leading players of his generation. It says a lot for his quality as a player that he has been able to absorb the detail of different roles and has always been willing to play wherever he has been needed in the team. He will always be welcome at Welford Road.”