Six nations

Irish hooker Jerry Flannery has received a six week ban for kicking France’s Alexis Palisson in last Saturday’s match.

The ban means the Munster player will miss the rest of the Six Nations tournament.

Flannery received the ban after attending an independent disciplinary hearing in Dublin on Wednesday.

During Saturday’s match, referee Wayne Barnes only awarded a penalty following the incident. Touch judge Stuart Terheege believed the challenge to be a shoulder charge, allowing the hooker to escape a red card.

Wales have announced a changed line-up for their Six Nations match with England.

Gareth Williams is among those drafted in, replacing Matthew Rees for the Six Nations opener against England on Saturday.

Tom James has also been picked for the Six Nations opening match at Twickenham. Wales coach Warren Gatland had delayed naming his team for Saturday's Twickenham showdown as he was waiting for Ospreys' player Lee Byrne's appeal against a two-match ban.