Six Nations round-up: Gatland does not face sack, insists Welsh RFU

Warren Gatland ponders defeat to England

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis has made it known that Warren Gatland does not face the sack following Wales’ defeat to England on Friday.

Gatland's side are now without a win in eight test matches following the 19-26 defeat in Cardiff, and face a tough test at Murrayfield against Scotland at the weekend. But Lewis has calmed any speculation of a Gatland departure.

“This is a time for cool heads and certainly not to chop heads,” Lewis told BBC Sport. “At the top of the WRU we believe we have the right people in place with the right skills and experiences.”

Gatland and his side have suffered a major blow ahead of Saturday’s encounter in Edinburgh, however, after influential no.8 Alex Powell was ruled out with the shoulder injury suffered against England. Winger Morgan Stoddart, Wales’ only try-scorer in the opening match, also remains a doubt with a fracture to his hand.

“Morgan has been given a window of opportunity,” said physio Mark Davies.“If his symptoms settle down we will clear him to play subject to a fitness review later in the week.

“Andy needs a period of rest now, but if all goes well he should be back in contention for the Italy game at the end of the month.”

Both Ireland and England also have injury problems of their own and have had to call up replacements to their squads ahead of ties against Italy and France respectively.

England have called-up winger James Simpson-Daniel and prop Alex Corbisiero as injury cover for Nick Abendanon (toe) and Tim Payne (chest).

Ireland’s Tommy Bowe has sustained a knee injury, and Stephen Ferris, Jamie Heaslip and Andrew Trimble all remain doubts for a first home tie in Dublin on Sunday. Brett Wilkinson, Mick O'Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, Mike McCarthy, Nevin Spence, Johne Murphy, Denis Hurley and Gavin Duffy are drafted in however, after a lackluster opening display against Italy almost ended in upset.

Lyall Thomas - Follow me on Twitter

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