Wales release six players for URC action including Uilisi Halaholo

Centre Uilisi Halaholo has been given a chance to prove his match fitness ahead of next week’s Guinness Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham. Halaholo has been hindered by a hamstring strain and he was not involved in Wales’ opening two Six Nations games against Ireland and Scotland.

But Halaholo is among six players released from the Wales squad by head coach Wayne Pivac for United Rugby Championship fixtures. Halaholo’s Cardiff colleagues Rhys Carre and James Ratti are also available for Friday’s appointment with Zebre Parma.

Elsewhere, Ospreys’ Gareth Anscombe can feature against Leinster and Scarlets scrum-half Kieran Hardy will be available to face Connacht on Saturday, and Ulster hooker Bradley Roberts could play against the Dragons at Rodney Parade on Sunday. They will rejoin the Wales squad after their regions’ matches.

Speaking after the round two win over Scotland seven days after their poor loss away to Ireland, Wales boss Pivac said: “The disappointment was evident from every single person in the squad last week.

“I have known these boys long enough now to know that wasn’t the Wales team that we know. There was a big improvement. From our point of view, we won’t be getting too far ahead of ourselves except to say we were pleased with the performance and certainly improved in the areas we wanted to.

“Now, we have got two weeks before the game with England. Our priority is to recover from this performance and get back in next week, work hard, and make sure there is more improvement to come.”