Today's rugby headlines as Beauden Barrett feared concussion had ended his career and Wales star free to play again after ban

Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby headlines for Saturday, February 19.

Shane Williams has highlighted Marcus Smith as a potential star man for England ahead of their clash with Wales at Twickenham next weekend.

Smith has been thrust into the limelight following the injury to regular fly-half Owen Farrell, but Williams believes the 23-year-old has been 'superb' in the way he's carried out his duties so far.

And he's anticipating a tough afternoon for Wales, who go in search of their first win at Twickenham since the 2015 World Cup.

"Marcus Smith has been superb, he’s got two tries in two games and was deservedly man of the match against Italy," Williams told Betway .

"Wales travelling to Twickenham is going to be really tough, and that’s a game England will expect to win.

"It’s still up in the air and that's the beauty of the Six Nations - you can't write anyone off and you won’t put your money where your mouth is really at the moment, because there's a number of teams that could do it."

New Zealand superstar Beauden Barrett admits concussion very nearly caused him to call time on his professional career.

Barrett, who has twice been named world player of the year, was sidelined after taking a blow to the face during an attempted tackle on Ireland's Andrew Conway back in November.

The incident resulted in a nasty concussion, and the symptoms were so severe that the 30-year-old admits he considered hanging up his boots.

He told French publication, XV Mondial : “For two weeks, things have been much better. But throughout the off-season, I had migraines, 80 to 90 per cent of the time. Today, it tends to fade, they have become rarer.

“I will gradually resume contact training, I hope to play again in three weeks