Edinburgh made it two wins out of two in Challenge Cup Pool Five with a 27-6 stroll against Agen.

Months before the commencement of battle, Munster head coach Anthony Foley has forewarned his troops that nothing will come easy in Pool 4 of the European Champions Cup.

Italy will have four new faces in their squad when they face Ireland in their RBS 6 Nations Championship opener in Rome next month.

Guinness Pro12 title holders Leinster will entertain Wasps in round one, the London club having qualified through the new play-off system at the end of last term.

It’s the last hurrah of the European Cup in its current form and since the bonus points system was introduced in the 2003/04 season 20 teams have qualified for a quarter-final as one of the two best runners-up.

Munster centre believes he can get his team on the front foot against Clermont

Having spent precious little time at Munster in his first spell with the province six years ago, signing for them this summer barely represents a spiritual homecoming for James Downey.

Munster’s new midfield signing James Downey has been around the houses, flitting between Munster, Leinster, Connacht, Calvisano and Northampton Saints before his return to Ireland.

James Downey hopes his move to Munster will help earn him a call-up from Irish coach Declan Kidney.

Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni says the Azzurri will have to play the perfect game if they are to upset England on Saturday.

THE old adage is that good things come to those who wait, and in the case of Northampton Saints’ Irish centre James Downey that phrase could hardly be more apt.

THE majority of the Munster team that under-performed so disappointingly against Leinster last week have an opportunity to redeem themselves in this evening’s Heineken Cup opener against Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens.

Newport Gwent Dragons will face Rugby Calvisano in the 24th place playoff for next season's Heineken Cup.

LEINSTER may be basking in the glory of being crowned Heineken Cup champions for 2009, but they won’t have to wait long before finding out who they will face when they begin their defence next season.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has made no changes to the starting XV that lost to Wales for Saturday’s final RBS 6 Nations game against France.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has dropped six players from his squad to face France in their final RBS 6 Nations game in Rome at the weekend.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has handed uncapped Giulio Rubini a starting berth for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations game against Wales in Rome.

ITALY coach Nick Mallett has called uncapped Franco Sbaraglini to replace injured Fabio Ongaro for tomorrow’s Six Nations game against Scotland.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has made four changes to the side that lost against Ireland for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield.

Italy will be boosted by the return of lock Marco Bortolami and centre Andrea Marcato for their RBS Six Nations game in Scotland on February 28, but will be without Andrea Masi after the full-back received a three-week ban today.

Italy will be boosted by the return of lock Marco Bortolami and centre Andrea Marcato for their RBS Six Nations game against Scotland in Edinburgh on February 28.

ITALY coach Nick Mallett is looking for the Azzurri to play a perfect game against Ireland as they attempt to forget their opening 6 Nations defeat at England.

NICK MALLETT wants to fast-forward the plan for at least two Italian sides to join the Magners League.

Cardiff Blues 62 Calvisano 20

CARDIFF BLUES will complete a triumphant march into the Heineken Cup quarter-finals tonight, but head coach David Young insists: “There is still work to be done.”

FORMER Ireland A prop Peter Bracken is hopeful that his career can be relaunched by a mid-season move from Bristol to Harlequins.

THOMOND PARK officials last night expressed disappointment with the ERC decision to schedule their crucial Heineken Cup clash with Sale Sharks on Friday, January 16.

Gloucester 48 Calvisano 5

CARDIFF BLUES won a seven-try Heineken Cup thriller at the Millennium Stadium to take charge of their qualifying group.

Cardiff Blues 37 Gloucester 24

Shaun Edwards admits he is “gravely concerned” after Guinness Premiership champions Wasps sunk to a six-year European low.

Gloucester 22 Biarritz 10

SALE SHARKS will enter a Heineken Cup cauldron today without two of their main ingredients — England World Cup stars Mathew Tait and Andrew Sheridan.

Mike Tindall has told his Gloucester team-mates it is high time they shook off their nearly-men tag.

Defending champions Munster have been drawn against two French sides in the pool stages of next season's Heineken Cup.

FRANCE head coach Marc Lievremont’s revolving door policy continued yesterday when he named three uncapped players in his starting XV for Sunday’s RBS Six Nations Championship clash with Italy.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has named uncapped Jacobus Erasmus in his 22-man squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations game against France in Paris on March 9.

ENGLAND are missing a trick in not following France’s lead and looking long-term towards the 2011 World Cup, according to Les Bleus defence coach David Ellis.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has put his faith in experience for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations opener with Ireland at Croke Park.

Italy will be without wing Matteo Pratichetti for their RBS Six Nations opener against Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday.

NICK MALLETT claims Italy are beginning to enjoy the benefits of shedding their inferiority complex.

Leeds Carnegie shrugged off their Premiership blues to take pole position in Pool Five of the European Challenge Cup at Headingley tonight with a 35-18 win over Castres Olympique, while Connacht lost away at Brive.

ITALY have never made it through to the last eight of the Rugby World Cup, but now is the hour, believes Roland De Marigny ahead of today’s crucial Pool C match with Scotland in St Etienne.