Roberts says Wales star has to start v England and Dupont reveals crushing news

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Here are your rugby evening headlines for Sunday, March 9.

Jamie Roberts says Lake must start against England

Jamie Roberts has questioned the call not to start Dewi Lake against Scotland and believes "one of Wales' best players" should be in the XV to take on England next Saturday.

Lake came off the bench against Scotland yesterday for his first Six Nations appearance since 2022. He earned plaudits for his performance and now looks to be in line to start against Steve Borthwick's side in the Principality Stadium next Saturday.

Including Lake, who was Wales' co-captain at the 2023 World Cup and has had to endure injury troubles in recent years, in the starting side against England is just one of the changes Roberts would make, with the former Wales and Lions centre urging Matt Sherratt to be "brave" in his selection for his last match in charge.

Speaking on S4C after the match, Roberts said: "We were talking there about how Wales were going after the game and chasing the game, but doing it sensibly.

"Looking at the boys' performances off the bench today and the impact they made, he could have changed the team. It's easier to say that after the game, I know that.

"Maybe be brave and change the team after the Ireland performance. Personally, I wouldn't have [kept the same team].

"If Matt reflects now, a couple of players coming off the bench. Dewi Lake is one I think if he's fit to play, he's fit to start. I know he's been out for a while with an injury. For me if he's fit to play he should start.

"He's one of Wales' best players."

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Dupont out for 'months' with cruciate rupture

France captain Antoine Dupont will be out for months after he announced he ruptured cruciate ligaments in his knee during yesterday's win over Ireland on Saturday.

The 28-year-old French superstar was forced off in the first half of the Six Nations clash after former Scarlets second row Tadhg Beirne fell on his leg at a ruck.

"The heart hurts even more than the knee when you have to leave your friends before the last step," Dupont posted on Instagram. "I am proud of what we accomplished yesterday and with all my strength with you, you will do it.

"Rupture of the cruciate ligaments. This is the beginning of a new challenge, I'll see you in a few months on the field."

Dupont was visibly upset when he limped from the field after Beirne, who appeared to be pushed by team-mate Porter, fell on his right leg during a ruck clearout, causing it to buckle.

According to team-mates, the scrum-half was in tears in the dressing room.

Speaking after the match, Gregory Alldritt said: "When I return to the dressing room and I see one of my best friends looking like that, it tears up one's insides.

"It is difficult to talk about. However, it added a bit of fire to our bellies for the second half."

England keep title hopes alive with Italy win

By Andrew Baldock, PA Rugby Union Correspondent

England kept themselves in Guinness Six Nations title contention after beating Italy 47-24 in bonus-point fashion at Allianz Stadium.

A five-point maximum took Steve Borthwick's team above Ireland and into second place behind France ahead of the so-called Super Saturday finale next weekend.

England will require a repeat result against Wales - and hope that Scotland stun France in Paris - as they chase Six Nations silverware, but it is long odds on such a scenario unfolding.

It was a third successive triumph in the tournament following narrow victories over France and Scotland, yet Italy - crushed 73-24 at home by France seven days earlier - trailed by less than a score at half-time before England marked hooker Jamie George's 100th cap in fitting fashion.

Tom Willis, Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme scored first-half tries, all converted by Fin Smith, but Italy responded through touchdowns from Ange Capuozzo and Ross Vintcent, with Paolo Garbisi adding a penalty and two conversions.

Marcus Smith, an early replacement for centre Ollie Lawrence after he suffered an injury that looks likely to rule him out of contention in Cardiff, and Tom Curry crossed in quick succession during the third quarter to leave Italy floundering, effectively ending the game as a contest.

Sleightholme added his second touchdown during a burst of three tries in nine minutes, as Fin Smith doubled his conversion haul to six, and Italy were finished despite a late Tommaso Menoncello score that Garbisi converted. Flanker Ben Earl added England's seventh try in the game's final play.

England got the job done, although Wales will not roll over as they strive to avoid a second Six Nations wooden spoon on the bounce and stave off a 17th successive Test defeat.

England were ahead after just four minutes when a flowing move that involved Freeman and Curry ended with Willis crashing over, and Fin Smith's conversion opened up a seven-point advantage.

It was worryingly early from an Italian perspective for them to be stretched so wide, but England then suffered an injury blow when Lawrence went down in open play with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Marcus Smith, surprisingly left out of Borthwick's starting XV, replaced him and went to full-back as Elliot Daly took Lawrence's midfield slot alongside Fraser Dingwall.

Italy, having had little opportunity in attack, hauled themselves level in the 14th minute when wing Monty Ioane's kick proved too much for England's defence and Capuozzo capitalised on a kind bounce to score.

Captain Maro Itoje went close when he tried to lunge over a ruck on Italy's line, but a second touchdown quickly followed as Daly's kick was gathered on the bounce by Freeman who finished impressively. Fin Smith converted and England led by seven again.

But back came Italy as Capuozzo shredded England's midfield defence before delivering a scoring pass to Exeter forward Vintcent, with Garbisi's conversion levelling it up for a second time.

The game lacked a pattern and after Sleightholme collected Marcus Smith's pass for a third England try, dithering in defence followed with a penalty coughed up and Garbisi's strike making it 21-17 at half-time.

England, though, took charge immediately after the break as Marcus Smith conjured a fine solo score then Curry powered over, with both tries converted by Fin Smith, and Italy were suddenly 18 points adrift.

Curry hobbled off after Sleightholme's second try, although it looked a precautionary measure, and England were home and dry despite conceding a 71st-minute touchdown for Menoncello, with Earl completing the scoring.

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