CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: This is an emergency. Italy face arguably the most important match in their history on Saturday, when they take on Scotland in Rome.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: Very few sports have the monetary resilience to withstand this crisis and rugby certainly isn't one of them.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: It is up to the RFU and Premiership Rugby to provide some urgent clarity so the Newcastle Falcons can save themselves.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: The coronavirus shutdown has forced rugby into an emergency spell of introspection and exposed the need for change. Here is this column's vision for the sport's future…

WORLD OF RUGBY: When the RFU released their annual report, the document contained an opening page which stated: 'Our purpose: to encourage rugby, and its values.' 

COMMENT: It is a sad fact that the main barrier to rugby's progress lies here; in the home nations and those other centres of the sport's narrow European landscape - France and Italy.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: The Nations League concept is back on the table as a means of galvanising international rugby, but if it is going to make a difference, it can't be half-hearted.

The 29 year-old suffered a small tear and the initial concern was that he would be sidelined for up to six weeks. But Gayle is likely to return to training in two to three weeks and resume playing next month.

ADAM SHERGOLD AT THE VALLEY: Fulham passed up the opportunity to pile more pressure on Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion as they failed to find the incision to break down Charlton.

The Premier League side, who face Albion in the FA Cup this weekend, had an option to recall Diangana but have been pleased with the 21-year old's progress at the Hawthorns.

MATT HUGHES - AHEAD OF THE GAME: Premier League sides who give significant playing time to England-qualified players, could be given greater leeway to sign more foreign players after Brexit.

No ground in the top four divisions sits as far above sea level as The Hawthorns, and West Bromwich Albion now believe they have a manager capable of taking them to those heights.

The 22-year-old England Under-21 star is valued at £12m by Tottenham, who are pushing for a permanent deal over a loan as several Premier League sides consider a move for the full-back.

Shrewsbury's 38-year-old goalkeeper Joe Murphy gives Sportsmail the low-down on his team-mates who are hoping to defy the odds and somehow stop Jurgen Klopp's high-flying Liverpool side.

West Ham's dismal season sunk lower as ex-boss Bilic returned to the London Stadium with West Brom and knocked them out of the FA Cup, but he still believes they can stay in the top flight.

Before David Moyes arrived to dissect this FA Cup defeat one of the row of pictures saluting happier times for West Ham fell off the press room wall to the floor.

Crystal Palace have rejected an offer from PSV Eindhoven for left-back Patrick Van Aanholt.  The 29-year-old who has 18 months on contract is valued around £9million.

David Moyes' side suffered a 1-0 fourth-round home defeat by the Championship outfit on Saturday. Skipper Noble was brought on at half-time as the Hammers tried to find an equaliser.

Championship leaders West Brom want a wide forward to bolster their attacking options after talks over a deal for Dinamo Zagreb's Mislav Orsic stalled.

ADAM SHERGOLD AT GRIFFIN PARK: Joe Lolley certainly isn't melting in the intensifying heat of the Championship promotion race as Nottingham Forest ratcheted up the pressure on the top two.

PSV Eindhoven have made an improved bid of £7.6million for Crystal Palace full-back Patrick Van Aanholt. Van Aanholt has 18 months left to run on his current contract at Palace.

Slaven Bilic wants extra pace and firepower to bolster his attack and has earmarked the 24-year-old Robinson to help inject fresh impetus into Albion's title challenge.

Newcastle United have offered winger Christian Atsu to Nottingham Forest on loan. The 28-year old was offered to West Brom also this week after they made an offer for Hull's Kamil Grosicki.

Nathan Ferguson's proposed £10m move to Crystal Palace is in the balance. The two clubs agreed a fee for the 19 year-old earlier this week giving him the green light to move to Selhurst Park.

West Brom are finalising a deal for Lee Peltier from fellow Championship side Cardiff. Defender Peltier, 33, is on the verge of joining promotion chasing West Brom from mid-table Cardiff.

West Brom took advantage of another slip-up from Leeds to return to the top of the Championship, as Wigan won at Elland Road for the second time in as many seasons.

IAN WINROW AT THE NEW DEN: West Brom's promotion bid has been in danger of being blown off course recently. But now, Slaven Bilic believes his side's promotion bid is back on track.

Aston Villa's £3million signing from Barcelona Louie Barry was on the scoresheet again after his heroics against Russia on Saturday as England U17s beat Ukraine 4-0 on Monday.

TOM COLLOMOSSE AT THE MADEJSKI STADIUM: Only the most foolish fan would dare predict the outcome of the Championship promotion race but West Brom have sent a powerful message.

JOE BERNSTEIN AT THE HAWTHORNS: West Brom failed to extend their gap at the top of the Championship after Matty Cash scored a stunning 90th minute equaliser to salvage a point.

ROSS HEPPENSTALL AT ELLAND ROAD: There was no meltdown at Elland Road this afternoon, none of the kind of recent angst which had raised fears that Leeds are falling apart again.

Crystal Palace retain an interest in West Brom's Nathan Ferguson after the defender underwent surgery this week.

West Brom striker Charlie Austin has gone on a foul-mouthed Twitter rant - calling one Southampton fan a cheeky c*** and accusing them of being s*** fans after tweeting about social media.

Callum Robinson became the 18th different West Brom player to score this season, emphasising the teamwork that sees them four points clear at the top of the Championship table.

Charlie Austin has been asked by the Football Association to explain his offensive comments aimed at Southampton fans on social media, the PA news agency understands.

Babel was so incensed by the reaction of the former West Brom defender that he decided to copy his action, falling to the floor and rolling around before mocking his opponent with a fake cry.

GRAHAM THOMAS AT ASHTON GATE: Hal Robson-Kanu delivered a two-goal message to the rest of the Championship as West Brom made light of Romaine Sawyers' sending off.

SIMON JONES: West Brom's highly rated young forward Rayhaan Tulloch is open to staying at the club despite failing to agree terms on a new contract.

JANINE SELF AT THE HAWTHORNS: Sam Morsy's goal gave Wigan Athletic a shock win at Championship leaders West Brom to lift the Latics out of the relegation zone.

CRAIG HOPE: It was put to Steve Bruce ahead of Tuesday's FA Cup tie at West Brom that Joelinton may not score another Premier League goal this season yet could still emerge as a Cup hero.

Chelsea host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in their first FA Cup meeting since 2012 when Blues won 2-1 in the final as Frank Lampard looks to repeat the victory as a manager now.

CRAIG HOPE AT THE HAWTHORNS: Free-scoring Newcastle United are into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup - now there is a statement that requires a double-take.

West Brom winger Jonathan Leko has made the remarkable claim that he may decide to keep quiet if he is racially abused again after he hit out at the handling of his case against Kiko Casilla.

Everton 'are targeting a summer move' for Newcastle United's £30million-rated Allan Saint-Maximin. The 22-year-old winger has been one of the bright sparks in Newcastle's season.

Cullen has caught the eye this term during his second season on loan at Championship Charlton, emerging as one of the division’s standout midfielders despite the Addicks' struggles.

Despite Barry having since joined Aston Villa after his short stint in Spain, Barcelona still owe West Brom £235,000 due to FIFA's compensation tariffs for players that move abroad.

Melbourne City defender Curtis Good produced a stunning goal-line clearance to prevent Western Sydney Wanderers forward Simon Cox from scoring in the Australian A-League.

Championship leaders Leeds United believe it is 'vital' for the current season to be finished and are prepared to play behind closed doors to do so as they chase Premier League promotion.

The top six clubs in the Championship are prepared to launch a legal challenge against the Premier League if they are denied three promotion places.

Championship clubs are determined to resume playing and finish the season no matter what - even if it means completing the remaining fixtures behind closed doors.