Italy’s rugby bosses have brokered a deal to end the players’ strike and set their World Cup preparations back on track.

Munster coach Anthony Foley dismissed reports linking Paul O’Connell with Toulon as “nonsense” and claimed the story was a malicious attempt to ‘cause trouble’.

Coming off the bench after 20 minutes (against England), I was thinking, ‘okay, I’ve done this before’.

Italy have confirmed they will bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023 – the first nation to cement their opposition to Ireland.

Italian club Benetton Rugby have decided not to compete in the RaboDirect PRO12 after this season, citing the uncertainty of the tournament.

Italian club Benetton Rugby have decided not to compete in the RaboDirect PRO12 after this season, citing the uncertainty of the tournament.

Romain Poite takes charge of his first Heineken Cup final this evening but, as Ian Moriarty finds out, he has not been without controversy.

Perpignan coach Jacques Brunel is to take charge of the Italian national team after the World Cup in New Zealand.

Italian Rugby Federation president Giancarlo Dondi has announced Jacques Brunel will soon be confirmed as the new coach of the national team.

Nick Mallett’s tenure as Italy coach will come to an end after this year’s World Cup, the Italian Rugby Federation has announced.

THE CLOCK was running down on Martin Johnson’s post-game meeting with the media last Saturday when a last hand went up at the back of the Aviva press room.

Ireland will review Saturday’s 13-11 RBS 6 Nations victory over Italy before deciding whether to make a complaint about referee Romain Poite’s handling of the scrum.

Ronan O’Gara may no longer be first choice fly-half but he insists his expertise was needed to guide Ireland when RBS 6 Nations disaster beckoned.

Jamie Heaslip fears embittered Italy will be galvanised by their failure to join the Magners League when they face Ireland on Saturday.

CELTIC RUGBY, the organisers of the Magners League, last night confirmed the competition will not be expanded to include two Italian teams, comprised of home-based players, next season.

Celtic Rugby Ltd and the Italian Rugby Federation have not been able to conclude a satisfactory agreement for the addition of two Italian teams into the Magners League in September 2010.

MATCH-of-the-Season is an overused phrase, but for Benetton Treviso tomorrow’s clash with Munster has become just that.

MUNSTER chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald last night expressed his support “in principle” to the inclusion of two Italian teams in the Magners League from the beginning of the 2010/11 season.

The Celtic Rugby Board have agreed in principle for two Italian teams to join the Magners League, it was announced today.

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

The Italian Rugby Federation is planning a bid to host either the 2015 or 2019 World Cup.

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

Italy lock Marco Bortolami does not need surgery but will be out of action for four weeks, the Italian Rugby Federation announced.

Pierre Berbizier will not extend his current contract as coach of Italy, according to the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR).

Ireland placed one hand on the RBS 6 Nations trophy after putting Italy to the sword at the Stadio Flaminio.

Italy’s players and officials savoured an historic triumph at the Stadio Flaminio as the Azzurri beat Wales to claim their second consecutive win in the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

ITALIAN rugby supremo Giancarlo Dondi has called on his players to build on their first away victory in the RBS 6 Nations Championship when they take on Wales in Rome on Saturday afternoon.

Italian rugby supremo Giancarlo Dondi has called on his players to build on their first away victory in the RBS 6 Nations Championship when they take on Wales in Rome on Saturday.

ITALY prop Martin Castrogiovanni will miss the remainder of the RBS Six Nations campaign through injury.

Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni will miss the remainder of his country’s RBS 6 Nations campaign through injury.

Italy rugby chief Giancarlo Dondi has demanded the Azzurri “battle to the death” when they take on Wales in their next RBS 6 Nations Championship outing as they go in search of a first win in this year's competition.

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL’S face told the story of a thousand concerns: on this form, Ireland could be destroyed by France in Paris on Saturday.

Giancarlo Dondi, the president of the Italian Rugby Federation, believes Pierre Berbizier’s men may surprise a few people in this year’s RBS 6 Nations.

The Irish Rugby Football Union has today announced the cancellation of the 2005-6 Celtic League season following talks with the Welsh Rugby Union.

PIERRE BERBIZIER has been confirmed as the new head coach of the Italian national team.

Pierre Berbizier has been confirmed as the new head coach of the Italian national team.

Italy have parted with national team coach John Kirwan, the country’s rugby federation has confirmed.

Italy coach John Kirwan will know if he is to keep his job in two weeks after the sport’s governing body has mourned the death of Pope John Paul II.

Veteran scrum-half Alessandro Troncon has urged his Italy team-mates to put their mauling at the hands of France behind them and instead dedicate their time to closing the gap on the leading teams.

Italy may be one game away from the wooden spoon in the RBS 6 Nations but at least things are looking up in terms of popular support for the Azzurri – so much so they may need to find a larger stadium.

ITALY winger Nicola Mazzucato insists his side will “fight like warriors” against Ireland and look to build on their momentous victory over Scotland a fortnight ago.

Italy winger Nicola Mazzucato insists his side will “fight like warriors” against Ireland and look to build on their momentous victory over Scotland a fortnight ago.

DESPERATE to find game-breaker Mat Rogers a starting position, Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is considering him at full-back for Australia’s opening World Cup clash with Argentina.

Italy forward coach Leicester Rutledge has been sacked less than a month before the Rugby Union World Cup, according to newspaper reports in New Zealand.