Rugby evening headlines as Wales heavyweights return and England star fully expects World Cup semi-final no matter who is coach

Here are the latest rugby evening headlines on Tuesday, March 29.

The Scarlets will have Wales stars Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias and Kieran Hardy back for Saturday’s derby clash at home to Cardiff.

They will join fellow Six Nations duo Gareth Davies and Johnny McNicholl who returned for last weekend’s bonus-point victory away to Zebre. In addition, twice-capped tighthead prop WillGriff John is available again, having recovered from the back injury which has kept him out since early January.

Flanker Josh Macleod is nearing a return, having resumed training after damaging his hamstring on his comeback appearance against the Ospreys on New Year’s Day, while fellow back row forward Aaron Shingler is another who is close to playing again.

English scrum-half Danny Care believes Eddie Jones' side will reach the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final next year despite having a lot of work to do to challenge the best teams in the world.

Care also feels England could have lost to France in the Six Nations finale by 30 or 40 points if Les Bleus "had played really well, which is scary to think".

He told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast : "The draw that they've got, they'll probably play France in the semi-final. England have got an awful, awful, awful lot of work to do if they're going to be anywhere near the best teams, let alone the World Cup, come the Six Nations next year.

"England are getting to a World Cup semi-final, whoever's coaching this team because of the players. They've got unbelievable players, if we could design some sort of attacking structure to help that, I think it would help England an awful lot."

Wales full-back/wing Johnny McNicholl has signed a new Scarlets contract to extend his stay in