Six Nations 2024 LIVE: England name Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in starting side plus Ireland and Scotland team news

Round two of the Six Nations featured a historic moment as Scotland hooker George Turner became the first player in the championship’s history to be removed after his smart mouthguard detected a collision which could have caused a concussion.

Turner was removed from the pitch during the first half of Scotland’s defeat to France for a head injury assessment after his mouthguard alerted medical staff of a significant head acceleration event after a tackle made on Charles Ollivon. The front rower passed his assessment and returned to the field.

The mouthguards, also known as gumshields, have been incorporated into the existing HIA protocols as another tool designed to support the drive towards better player welfare with a particular focus on brain injuries.

Pete Horne has given an insight into the driven mindset of record-chasing Scotland wing Duhan Van Der Merwe ahead of the Guinness Six Nations showdown with Italy in Rome.

The 28-year-old’s match-defining hat-trick against England a week past Saturday took him to 26 international touchdowns, within one of Stuart Hogg at the top of the Scots’ list of all-time try-scorers.

Van Der Merwe could equal or break the record if he crosses the whitewash at the Stadio Olimpico this weekend.

Sam Underhill is savouring his England revival having feared his international career might already be over.

Underhill is poised to win his 34th cap in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham after returning to favour under Steve Borthwick – a comeback he views as a personal triumph.

Still only 27, the big-hitting Bath flanker missed 20 successive Tests from the second match of the 2022 tour to Australia because of a combination of concussion and selection.

But a sliding doors moment arrived when Jack Willis sustained a neck injury in last autumn’s World Cup and Underhill was propelled straight into the back row for the bronze final against Argentina.

A defensive masterclass consisting of 24 tackles resulted in the man of the match award and now that he has played four consecutive Tests, he grants himself a moment of recognition.

Scotland centre Huw Jones revealed he was “tempted” by the prospect of a move to France but he ultimately felt that remaining with buoyant Glasgow was the right decision for his career overall.

The on-form 30-year-old was the subject of recent interest from Top 14 side Montpellier and was also linked with Bayonne.

However, he ended speculation about his future last week by signing a new two-year deal to commit his future to Warriors until 2026.

Jones, whose partner is expecting a baby at the start of April, admitted the prospect of following Scotland colleagues Blair Kinghorn and Ben White to France did hold some appeal.

“I’ve said in the past that I’d be open to a move to France, so, yeah, it was certainly tempting,” he said, speaking from the Scotland camp ahead of Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations match away to Italy.

Diego Dominguez, Italy’s highest-ever points scorer, played a major role in their Six Nations beginnings and, despite their struggles since, is optimistic for Italian rugby‘s future.

Dominguez scored 983 points and without him Italy may not even be involved in the Six Nations today. He helped Italy to wins over Ireland, Scotland and France in the 90s, which paved the way for their inclusion.

Italy made their Six Nations debut in 2000 against Scotland in Rome, where Dominguez kicked 29 points as they pulled off a surprise 34-20 win.

“It was an extraordinary game, for Italy’s rugby movement, for the team on the field, for the people who watched in the stands,” Dominguez told Reuters.

“We were underdogs and Scotland arrived as champions, but that day they found a very united team, with a lot of character, where many things came easily.”

Things do not come so easily these days. Italy go into Saturday’s game at home to Scotland still without a victory this year, but Dominguez has seen plenty of positives and believes they should have won in France.

A late penalty miss meant the game ended in a 13-13 draw after Paolo Garbisi almost ran out of time when the ball fell from the tee as French players advanced illegally and his kick hit the post.

“They clearly broke the laws which are very clear. It was a young referee, his first Six Nations game, but this was a serious mistake,” Dominguez said.

“It wasn’t just once, they advanced two or three times. The kick wasn’t difficult, but the ball falls, they come in front of him, anyway, Italy deserved to win.

“Next is Scotland, who for me were one of the favourites before the championship started. We’ll have a full stadium in Rome and two very motivated teams.”

Italy v Scotland (Saturday 9 March, Rome)

Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)

ARs: Karl Dickson (Eng) & Adam Leal (Eng)

TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)

England v Ireland (Saturday 9 March, Twickenham)

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)

ARs: Andrea Piardi (Ita) & Craig Evans (Wal)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)

Wales v France (Sunday 10 March, Cardiff)

Referee: Luke Pearce (Eng)

ARs: Andrew Brace (Ire) & Damian Schneider (Arg)

TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)

“Ireland are the best team in the world,” Steve Borthwick said earlier. “They might not have won the World Cup, but they are the best team in the world. Their attack is probably the best in the world. We are going to be really tested there and I’m looking forward to seeing our defence go against that test.

“We’ve forced teams to make a lot of errors, and we’ve started to capitalise on those. But if they are allowed to get into their rhythm, they are a very strong side.”

Ireland could secure successive Six Nations crowns with a game to spare as they travel to Twickenham to take on England in round four this weekend.

Andy Farrell’s side remain unbeaten in this year’s championship and will hope to make history as the first men’s team to secure back-to-back grand slams since the tournament’s expansion to six teams.

After taking on England on Saturday, Ireland host Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Super Saturday — but the title could be sewn up before then.

Scrum half George Horne has been handed a surprise start for Scotland’s Six Nations showdown with Italy in Rome on Saturday, with Gregor Townsend making three changes to his starting XV.

The 28-year-old Glasgow back has been given the nod to wear the number nine jersey for the first time since the 2019 World Cup. Regular starter Ben White is rested and drops out of the squad altogether, with Ali Price – who has played no part in the tournament – promoted to the bench.

Saracens flanker Andy Christie is handed his first international start in place of Jamie Ritchie, who is among the substitutes.

Bath centre Cameron Redpath made a positive impact off the bench in the 30-21 victory over England and replaces Glasgow’s Sione Tuipulotu, who will miss the remainder of the championship with a knee injury.

Back-rower Matt Fagerson, who dropped out of the 23 altogether for the last match, returns to the bench, with Townsend switching from a 5/3 split to a 6/2.