Here are the latest rugby headlines on Sunday, March 5.
England and Lions legend slams Wales players
England great Fran Cotton believes the performance from Wales' inside-backs in the 20-10 defeat to England last weekend was the worst he had seen in a Welsh jersey.
Cotton, 76, is the only Lion to have won a Test series in South Africa as a player and manager.
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Warren Gatland made nine changes for England's visit to Cardiff last time out, opting for Owen Williams at fly-half, his namesake Tomos at No. 9, with young duo Joe Hawkins and Mason Grady at No. 12 and No. 13 respectively.
Cotton told The Rugby Paper: “The inside backs who played against England last week were the worst I have seen in a Welsh jersey. There was no lack of effort, no lack of pride in the shirt but a total lack of quality and experience.
"I can’t see them beating Italy next weekend. Until Warren Gatland sorts out his inside backs, it’s going to be a continuing struggle..."
Wales next face Italy in the Six Nations, with Gatland's men travelling to Rome in round four looking to avoid the wooden spoon.
Rugby spectator taken to hospital
A rugby spectator watching Cardiff v Ulster was taken to hospital after a suspected cardiac arrest, the BBC reports.
The spectator fell down steps at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday evening, a Cardiff Rugby spokesman said, and was taken to the University Hospital of Wales where his condition is unknown.
The club has thanked supporters in the North Stand, which was populated with travelling Ulster fans, for assisting medical staff.
O'Driscoll names most exciting players
Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll has named the nine most exciting players to watch in rugby, but there isn't a place for any players from Wales or England.
Two Ireland and France stars feature, along with one Scotsman, one New Zealander, an Australian, South African and an Argentina international.
O'Driscoll said: "Caelan Doris. Ardie Savea. I think Samu Kerevi is very exciting. Garry Ringrose and Finn Russell are very exciting. Damian Penaud and Antoine Dupont, too, and Lukhanyo Am. Santiago Carreras, the Argentinean who plays for Gloucester, is a very exciting player who probably doesn't get the headlines that the others would get. But there's a snappy nine!"
Ioan Lloyd scores twice as Bristol run riot
Wales international Ioan Lloyd scored two tries to help Bristol Bears claim their biggest Premiership win, by 54 points. Pat Lam's men scored nine tries in total to beat Northampton 62-8.
Fin Smith's penalty put Northampton ahead, but Bears hit back with 27 unanswered first-half points as Harry Randall (2), Harry Thacker and Lloyd crossed the whitewash. Lloyd and Chris Vui tries took the lead to 41-3 before George Hendy replied.
George Kloska, Fitz Harding and Jake Heenan then scored to give Bristol their third straight Premiership win.
Play-off chasing Bears are unbeaten in seven matches at Ashton Gate.
Lloyd, 21, made his Wales debut under Wayne Pivac in the autumn of 2020 but has not since featured.
Dragons coach laments loss
Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan believes the manner of defeat to Connacht sums up the season so far, with the hosts edged out 22-20 in a tense finale at Rodney Parade.
Aaron Wainwright and Jared Rosser crossed the whitewash, with the Welsh side reduced to 14 men when Matthew Screech was red carded in the first half for a shoulder to the head. The Dragons enjoyed several chances to score, while two late drop goal attempts missed the target.
"That game summed up our season,” said Flanagan. “There was so much character, togetherness, effort but a lot of inaccuracy. That’s disappointing because there are areas of our game that are growing – the game management when we were down to 13 was awesome and Will Reed took a step forward in his development.
“But the inaccuracy. We had two goalline attacks and good teams finish them off. We have plans to get better but we are just not executing at the minute and we have to stick at it. Things don’t change overnight but I want them to change quicker. We’ve got a bit of work to do.”
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