Here are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, March 17.
Welsh players finally sign contracts
Wales' four professional regions have been given the green light to start officially contracting players.
There had been a contractual freeze in place at the regions since last summer as they negotiated a new six-year financial framework with the Welsh Rugby Union.
This led to a great deal of uncertainty among the players, with national squad members even threatening to strike ahead of Wales' Six Nations clash with England last month.
Over the last few weeks the regions had only been able to make verbal offers but after agreeing terms with the Welsh Rugby Players' Association and the Rugby Management Board this has now been lifted.
With up to 70 players out of contract at Cardiff, Dragons RFC, Ospreys and Scarlets this will come as a big relief although wages are still going to drop over the next couple of seasons.
Proud Ken Owens
Wales captain Ken Owens says he's proud to lead his country in what could be his final Six Nations appearance.
Warren Gatland said that as many as eight of his matchday squad in Paris are likely to feature in the tournament for the last time, with 36-year-old Owens one of the names the Wales coach was referring to.
The Scarlets hooker made his debut in the tournament back in 2012, making 47 appearances in the competition to date - winning titles in 2012, 2013, 2019 and 2021.
And ahead of what could be his final outing in the competition, Owens said: "It’s meant a lot, an opportunity to lead my country which means a hell of a lot.
"It’s been an interesting one with what's gone on off the field. I’m proud to have had this opportunity and led a great bunch of boys out on the field."
In terms of being widely written off against a French team that racked up 53 points against England last weekend, Owens said: "I’m not sure if I prefer it or not.
"There’s always added pressure when you’re the favourites because generally you have confidence and momentum and that’s what comes with being favourites. The pressure is off externally, because no-one is expecting anything from us but as a group we’ve got two guys reaching milestones this week so it’s important we put a performance in for them and make sure it’s a special day for them and make sure the hard work we’ve done for the past eight weeks has led to something."
Who will win France v Wales? Have your say here
Wales U20s name team
Wales U20s men have named their side to face France at Stade Charles-Mathon on Sunday for the final game of the 2023 U20 Six Nations (KO 8pm, S4C)
Head coach Byron Hayward has rotated his squad and made five changes to the side that lost narrowly to Italy in Treviso last Friday evening.
Dragons RFC winger Oli Andrew returns to the starting line-up in place of Harri Houston with Ospreys midfielder Tom Florence replacing Louie Hennessey at outside centre. The other change in the backline is Harri Williams coming in for his Scarlets team-mate Archie Hughes at halfback.
Up front, both Scarlets hooker Lewis Morgan and Ospreys tighthead prop Louis Fletcher get their first starts replacing Sam Scarfe and Tomas Pritchard respectively.
The odds will be heavily stacked against Wales as they seek to claim a first victory in the championship. France have not lost on home soil to Wales since 2013 but Hayward is confident his side can push them close.
Wales U20s v France, Stade Charles-Mathon, Sunday 19 March (KO 8pm GMT)
15 Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby), 14 Oli Andrew (Dragons Rugby), 13 Tom Florence (Ospreys), 12 Bryn Bradley (Harlequins), 11 Llien Morgan (Ospreys), 10 Dan Edwards (Ospreys), 9 Harri Williams (Scarlets); 1 Dylan Kelleher Griffiths (Dragons Rugby), 2 Lewis Morgan (Scarlets), 3 Louis Fletcher (Ospreys), 4 Liam Edwards (Ospreys), 5 Jonny Green (Harlequins), 6 Ryan Woodman (Dragons Rugby - Capt), 7 Lucus De La Rua (Cardiff Rugby), 8 Morgan Morse (Ospreys)
Replacements:
16 Lewis Lloyd (Ospreys), 17 Freddie Chapman (Ospreys), 18 Tomas Pritchard (Scarlets), 19 Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby), 20 Gwilym Evans (Cardiff Rugby), 21 Che Hope (Dragons Rugby), 22 Harrison James (Cardiff Rugby), 23 Kian Abraham (Scarlets)
Sexton likened to Wilkinson
Mike Catt believes Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton is similar to his former England team-mate Jonny Wilkinson in being a "completely different mental animal".
Sexton will look to sign off a stellar Guinness Six Nations career in style by leading his country to the Grand Slam with a St Patrick's weekend victory over England in Dublin.
The 37-year-old, who is set to retire following the autumn World Cup in France, can also become the championship's outright all-time leading points scorer during Saturday's swansong after drawing level with Ronan O'Gara's tally of 557 last weekend.
Ireland assistant coach Catt lifted the 2003 World Cup alongside Wilkinson and feels there are plenty of parallels between the two fly-halves named Jonathan.
"They're both obsessive, they're just completely different mental animals," Catt said of Sexton and Wilkinson.
"They're so in the moment, they're so in the game. Everything means a hell of a lot.
"They're deep thinkers of the game and it's bringing that freedom out of them so they can go and perform that's the crucial thing.
"But how they make people feel around them is what they're very, very good at as well.
"When you stand next to a Jonny Wilkinson or a Johnny Sexton, you feel pretty special.
"There are a lot of comparisons in there but ultimately you've got to deliver on the hype on the big stage and both Johnny's have done that. Let's see what Johnny can do tomorrow."
Read more:
WRU plan new 'elite' eight-team league above Welsh Premiership as regions to nominate sides
France v Wales head-to-head ratings show size of the gap that must be closed
What became of Taulupe Faletau's team-mates in his first game of professional rugby
France v Wales exact scoreline predicted as Welsh team must defy expectations
Gwyn Jones: Wales have looked so impotent something radical is required
