I can still thrive for Wales despite size - Murray — and more

Blair Murray believes size is not everything as he looks to win back his starting spot with Wales.

The Scarlets back enjoyed a rapid rise on the Test stage by featuring in all 14 internationals after making his debut against Fiji in 2024.

Murray started at full-back in Steve Tandy's first four games but has missed out on the XV in the Six Nations.

The 24-year-old sat out losses to England and France before featuring as a replacement on the wing against Scotland in round three.

At 5ft 7ins, Murray's aerial prowess has been one of the main reasons for missing out with Louis Rees-Zammit, 6ft 2ins, getting the nod at 15.

However, the Scarlets man believe his game-breaking abilities give him a shot at earning a return to Wales' starting line-up against Ireland next Friday (20:10 GMT).

"I'd like to think I am in the squad for a reason," said Murray. "I bring something that other players don't, so I just hope I get that opportunity.

"Steve has been transparent and kept it clear in terms of selection, so I just have to train my way back in."

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Wales have selected Rees-Zammit at full-back while Josh Adams, Ellis Mee and Gabriel Hamer-Webb have had starts on the wings.

"I play differently to somebody who is 6ft 5ins but I don't think someone my height can't play," said Murray.

"When I have played I've done pretty well and made a case for being able to play as a short player.

"I still think any shape or size can play rugby, things change tactically but I still think that saying goes strong."

Murray has been a victim of a change to the laws that mean that defenders are no longer able to block chasers of the high ball.

Wales are joint bottom with Italy for retained kicks in the Six Nations with 11 compared to top-ranked France's 25.

"Without people being able to block, it does become a straight one on one in the air," said Murray.

"We've done a lot of work and talked about how many balls get caught cleanly and it's quite a low percentage.

"France get their winger just to slap it back, even when receiving from another team. It's a bit of a vulnerable spot on the field.

"You can't really make excuses. If I am in that position then I have to be confident that I am going to win the ball."

Wales, who trained against the Under-20s on Friday, could name reinforcements to their squad at the start of next week after losing lock Rhys Davies and flanker Taine Plumtree to injury.

Tandy will also watch the United Rugby Championship (URC) fixtures with interest after sending nine players out for club action.

The two-time DP World Tour winner, 36, is understood to have fallen two or three floors down the shaft in South Africa on Wednesday after doors opened without the lift car itself appearing.

Earlier this week, Tennessee’s TSSAA adopted the one-time transfer rule, signed into law by Governor Bill Lee via Senate Bill 16, allowing student-athletes in the Volunteer State to become immediately eligible to compete after transferring schools one time without requiring a change of address.

Louisiana’s LHSAA proposed something similar at their convention in New Orleans on Thursday, but principals and administrators around the state decided to hold off on making such a move like their neighbors to the north.

According to a report by the Crescent City Sports, the one-time transfer bylaw was voted down by 82 percent of the 346 that voted on the measure. Of the principals and authorized representatives that casted their votes on the LHSAA proposal, 287 voted against and 59 in favor of the one-time transfer rule.

“I am not for it. I am wholeheartedly against it,” Barbe principal Troy Fontenot said via a GeauxPreps.com report. “We have voted this down the last two years, I believe. This is something that would probably benefit my school, but my biggest concern is the small schools. I can see it, ‘Why don’t you come be part of this program, you’re gonna get more publicity.’ You’re gonna kill smaller schools, and I can’t vote for that.”

Student-athletes transferring for athletic purposes has become a major sticking point, especially among schools down in the Southeast United States specifically.

Florida’s FHSAA rules allow student-athletes in full-time virtual, charter, or home education programs to participate in athletics at their zoned public school or through district-approved controlled open enrollment. The FHSAA is currently working with Florida legislation on a bill that would end student-athletes transferring and becoming eligible instantly during the season.

Over in South Carolina, legislators are looking to disband the 113-year old South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) as the state’s governing body over K-12 sports due to the lack of changes when it comes to additional safety measures and fair handling of student-athlete transfers tied to eligibility requirements around the state.

“Many of our state associations are facing a rising number of transfer requests for athletic purposes, which is where the line must be drawn,” National Federation of High Schools CEO Karissa Niehoff said via the GeauxPreps.com report. 

“Transfer rules must protect academics, provide opportunities for students, promote school and team unity, and a community-based experience. Transferring solely for athletic purposes should not be a part of high school sports.”

With growing pressure every year on states by lawmakers on loosening transfer bylaws, it seems more like a matter of when, not if, every state will begin having more advantageous rules geared toward student-athlete transfers. The LHSAA is just one of many states fighting an uphill battle that it will likely deal with on an annual basis.

How to Follow Louisiana High School Football

For Louisiana high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across Louisiana.

The Dallas Cowboys didn't see a need to wait until the last minute... kind of, sort of. With a window that doesn't close until March 3, the team has placed the franchise tag on their most valuable pending free agent, WR George Pickens.

The move, the non-exclusive franchise tag, doesn't prevent Pickens from negotiating with other teams once the NFL league year kicks off on March 11. He'll actually be able to have contract talks with any other team starting March 9, the start of the legal tampering window. What the tag does do is guarantee the Cowboys the chance to match any offer, or receive compensation if they don't match an offer sheet.

In exchange, Pickens will immediately hit the books for $28.8 million in 2026 cap hit. That will push the Cowboys to need to create $55 million of space based on their current contracts by midnight of March 12. Otherwise, the league will begin releasing players from the roster to bring them in compliance.

The Dallas Cowboys will do what has been expected on Friday, placing the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens to secure his rights at least through 2026, sources told @toddarcher. pic.twitter.com/rmIPSxAnsY

— ESPN (@espn) February 27, 2026

The Cowboys have let it be known numerous times, both the Joneses in the front office and head coach Brian Schottenheimer, that they want to work out a long-term deal with Pickens to play opposite CeeDee Lamb for years to come.

Pickens' production exploded once the club traded for him, acquiring the then three-year veteran from the Pittsburgh Steelers for Dallas' third-round pick in this draft. There was also a swap of Day 3 draft assets. Pickens rewarded the investment with a Second-Team All-Pro campaign, hauling in 93 passes for 1,429 yards and scoring nine touchowns.

All were career highs, but Pickens came over with just one season remaining on his contract.

The question now is just where does the market sit for Pickens. Dallas is already paying Lamb at the top of the wideout market, at $34 million a year, good for third-highest in the league. He was the second-best paid WR when he signed.

With reigning OPOY Jaxson Smith-Njigba angling to suprass the Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase's $40 million per year average, many wonder if that puts Pickens in the ballpark of approaching or surpassing Lamb.

Perhaps being able to negotiate with other teams can give each side some idea of where that number sits at. Pickens can negotiate without signing an offer sheet, or if he's truly interested in forcing the Cowboys' hand, he can do so.

Absent an offer sheet, the two sides will have until July 17 to reach a long-term deal, or the one-year tender will lock in for the 2026 season. Until Pickens signs the tender, he is not required to participate in any team activities, which would bring a circus-like atmosphere to Dallas' offseason yet again.

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys slap franchise tag on WR George Pickens, now $55M over cap