Zebre may be competing in the top tier of European club rugby this season but even if they beat Connacht this weekend to record their first victory in the Champions Cup, their heroics will go largely unnoticed in their home town of Parma.

Slovenia boss Matjaz Kek today trimmed his World Cup squad to 23 by confirming a further three players would not travel to South Africa.

AND then there were 12 – finally.

CLAUDIO RANIERI admitted the Juventus job was too tempting to turn down after being unveiled as Didier Deschamps’ successor.

TORINO will battle it out with Mantova in the Serie B play-off final for the last remaining promotion place to the top flight.