Rugby news: Scotland’s Six Nations opponents spring a surprise as star trio axed

France omit star trio from Six Nations squad

France coach Fabien Galthie has sprung a surprise by omitting Damian Penaud, Gregory Alldritt and Gael Fickou from his squad for the Guinness Six Nations.

Galthie announced his 42-man selection on Wednesday and there was no place for Bordeaux Bègles winger Penaud who is France’s all-time record try-scorer. No 8 Alldritt and 100-plus cap centre Fickou both captained Les Bleus when Antoine Dupont was injured but have also been left out.

France, who are looking to defend the title they won last year, get the championship under way when they host Ireland in Paris on Thursday, February 5.

Dupont is fit again and set to play his first international since rupturing the cruciate ligaments in his right knee during France’s win over Ireland in the 2025 Six Nations. But his Toulouse halfback partner Roman Ntamack has been left out of the squad after picking up an unspecified injury.

Matthieu Jalibert, the Bordeaux fly-half, is expected to start at 10 for France.

Byrne to vie for Irish No 10 role

Harry Byrne will compete with Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley for Ireland’s fly-half duties after being included in Andy Farrell’s squad for the Six Nations.

Byrne comes into contention for the opener against France in Paris after being included in a 37-man group alongside his rival playmakers, as well as utility back Ciaran Frawley.

The 26-year-old won the last of his four caps in 2024 but has been in impressive form for Leinster since the autumn and is set to challenge the established order in the number 10 jersey.

Munster second row Edwin Edogbo and Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak are the only uncapped players among the 37, who are led by No 8 Caelan Doris.

Ireland have been beset by injury with Andrew Porter and Robbie Henshaw missing the start of the competition because of respective calf and knee issues. Cormac Izuchukwu, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Ryan Baird, Shayne Bolton, Mack Hansen, Jordan Larmour and Paddy McCarthy are also in the treatment room.

Hugo Keenan is present despite not having played this season because of hip surgery that was completed after the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

Vaughan to quit Scotland for Newcastle Red Bulls

Gavin Vaughan, the Scotland national team’s performance analyst, is to leave his role after the Six Nations to become head of recruitment at Newcastle Red Bulls.

Vaughan, a long-time assistant to Gregor Townsend with both Glasgow Warriors and then the national side, has been responsible for helping identify a number of Scottish-qualified players, including Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones.

It was announced last year that Townsend would be combining his role as Scotland coach with a position as strategic advisor and consultant with Red Bull on their global rugby strategy. Townsend is permitted to work 30 days a year in his own time for the energy drinks giant which bought Newcastle Falcons and renamed the club.

There is already a strong Scottish flavour at Newcastle with the appointment last year of former Scotland flanker Jonny Petrie as managing director, Jed-Forest and Brive prop Neil McIlroy as general manager, ex-SRU head of pathways John Fletcher as academy and pathways director.

Italy include teenage winger but star man is out

Northampton Saints teenager Edoardo Todaro has been named in Italy's Six Nations squad but there is no place for star winger Ange Capuozzo and former Scotland U20 stand-off Tommaso Allan who are both injured and will miss the opening match against Scotland.

Winger Todaro, 19, has scored nine tries in 12 games for Northampton this season having made his debut in September.

He won his only Italy cap to date off the bench in the 34-19 win over Chile in November and is now in contention to play against Scotland in round one of the Six Nations in Rome on February 7.

Michele Lamaro will captain the side for a fourth successive Six Nations but fellow back-rowers Sebastian Negri and Ross Vintcent are missing through injury.

There is a place in the 33-man squad for wing/centre Paolo Odogwu, who was part of England's 2021 Six Nations squad under Eddie Jones but was never capped.