These are your rugby headlines on Wednesday, February 5.
Griffin injury update
Bath’s head of medical Rory Murray has provided an official injury update on Wales star Archie Griffin.
The tighthead went under the knife at the back end of last year, having sustained a shoulder injury in a game against La Rochelle on the opening weekend of the Investec Champions Cup on Friday, December 6.
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He subsequently missed out on Warren Gatland’s 2025 Six Nations squad, and Murray has now provided an update and given a timescale in terms of Griffin’s return to action.
“Archie Griffin sustained a shoulder injury against La Rochelle in the Champions Cup, he had a shoulder surgical procedure and he will return to training in the next couple of weeks and will be also available for the early rounds of the Premiership’s return,” he said.
The Gallagher Premiership is set to return towards the end of March, with Bath hosting Gloucester at The Rec on Sunday, March 23, and Harlequins at the same venue on Saturday, March 29.
Mapimpi banned
Sharks and Springboks man Makazole Mapimpi has been banned for three matches after he admitted an act of foul play in the match against Cardiff at the Arms Park last month.
Footage emerged and did the rounds on social media of a second-half incident between the winger and Cardiff's Efan Daniel, in which Mapimpi appeared to make contact with the hooker's eyes.
An official URC statement issued on Tuesday read: “The Citing Commissioner in charge reported Hollywoodbets Sharks player No 11 (Makazole Mapimpi), for an act of foul play in the 52nd minute under Law 9.12 – A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone.
“Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm, shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking.
“In the Player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (David Martin, Ireland), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a Red Card. Mr. Martin found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with a lower end entry point warranting four weeks.”
Because of his admission of the guilt, the ban was reduced to three matches. “The Player received two weeks (50%) mitigation due to his apology and full engaged participation in the disciplinary process. The Player was previously cited for a similar offence in EPCR in the 2022/2023 season which resulted in suspension. Therefore considered an aggravating factor, warranting a further one week sanction. This results in a three-game suspension.”
Murley a doubt for rest of Six Nations
By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent
Cadan Murley has been ruled out of England’s clash with France on Saturday with a foot problem that could rule him out of the remainder of the Guinness Six Nations.
Murley sustained the injury in the round-one defeat by Ireland in Dublin on Saturday and will undergo a scan in two weeks to assess whether he can return for the back end of the Championship.
The Harlequins wing has been replaced in Steve Borthwick’s squad by Saracens centre Alex Lozowski, the Rugby Football Union has announced.
It is a cruel setback for Murley, who made his Test debut at the Aviva Stadium but will now miss at least the Allianz Stadium appointments with France and Scotland that England must win to save their Six Nations.
If the injury heals quickly, he could become available for the fixtures against Italy and Wales that close out the tournament.
Murley is one of the Gallagher Premiership’s sharpest finishers and he celebrated his first cap by running in the opening try against Ireland, although two conspicuous errors behind the goal-line invited pressure on to England.
Ollie Sleightholme, Tom Roebuck and Elliot Daly are the contenders to fill the number 11 jersey when head coach Borthwick names his team on Thursday.
England mull over starting Smiths
By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent
England are giving strong consideration to fielding playmakers Marcus Smith and Fin Smith in their backline against France in the hope of igniting their Guinness Six Nations.
Marcus Smith has been first choice fly-half since the 2023 World Cup but he could be moved to full-back for Saturday’s Allianz Stadium showdown to accommodate his namesake’s promotion to the starting XV.
Fin Smith has made all seven of his previous Test appearances as a replacement, meaning his full debut would come in a game of critical importance with England playing to save their championship after losing 27-22 to Ireland in round one.
The Northampton rookie would have responsibility for directing the backline with Marcus Smith providing a counter-attacking threat from 15, a position he first filled at the World Cup and has occupied in cameos since.
Selecting two of English rugby’s most creative talents together would offer an extra dimension with the ball in hand, although Freddie Steward’s demotion at full-back would also rob the team of their aerial master.
“Marcus is obviously another set of eyes that are very opportunistic. ‘Where’s the space? Who can I beat?’,” attack coach Richard Wigglesworth said.
“But Freddie Steward brings an incredible level of high ball skill and a kick return that is incredibly decisive on the way back. There are competing demands that you are trading off all the time.
“We are blessed with having three 10s that can all play international rugby to a high level. Fin has had less chance than the rest at the moment, but he is really clear with his game, he is confident without being arrogant and wants to get better.
“He has all the things that you associate with top 10s. He’s really clear with what he wants and how to best position the team.”
Henry Slade will be working in tandem with whoever is chosen at fly-half against France and the Exeter centre insists both have unique skill sets.
“Fin sees space really well. There’s always going to be space on the field somewhere, you can’t defend everything, and he sees it really well,” Slade said.
“Obviously he’s a slightly different 10 to Marcus. Marcus has got that X factor in terms of beating a man one-on-one and all that stuff, but Fin is very measured. He speaks very well.
“A big part of a number 10’s role is moving the team around to where they need to be on the pitch and he’s been really good at that.”
Cadan Murley has been ruled out against France after suffering a foot injury on his Test debut in Dublin on Saturday, but could return in time for the end of the Six Nations.
“We’re gutted for Cadan because what he’s done is overcome a huge amount of injuries,” Wigglesworth said.
“He gets his opportunity, he scores and assists and then he’s not able to be in the mix again the week after. I’m delighted that he got his chance and really disappointed for him that it’s been taken away pretty quickly.”
