Wales release six players from Six Nations squad as Halaholo handed England audition

Willis Halaholo is one of six players released back to their clubs as the Wales centre looks to prove his fitness ahead of the Six Nations clash with England.

The hot-stepping Cardiff midfielder has been missing from the Wales side in the first two matches, but will now get some minutes under his belt when Zebre visit the Arms Park on Friday night.

Rhys Carre and James Ratti are also released back to Cardiff, while Kieran Hardy - who scored in last year's win over England - will head back to the Scarlets for their United Rugby Championship clash with Connacht in Llanelli on Saturday evening.

Fly-half Gareth Anscombe will also be released back to the Ospreys for their trip to Dublin to take on Leinster on Saturday as he bids to put pressure on Callum Sheedy for a spot on the bench.

The final player released is hooker Bradley Roberts - with the one-cap international having been beaten to places in the matchday squad by new cap Dewi Lake in the first two rounds.

He'll head back to Ulster, but he'll still end up playing on Welsh soil this weekend - with the Irish province heading to Rodney Parade to face the Dragons.

The six players will rejoin Wales camp after their regions' matches as Wayne Pivac's side ramp up their preparations for the match against England.

Wales will also be without their English-based players this coming weekend.

The regions might well have hoped for more reinforcements as earlier this week, Andy Farrell released 14 Ireland players back to their provinces for URC duty ahead of the Six Nations fallow weekend.