Love was certainly in the air this Valentine’s weekend as thousands of couples flew to romantic getaways across Europe and beyond.

If the opening two contests of this season’s RBS Six Nations disappointed to some degree, yesterday’s amazing clash in Dublin served to restore everyone’s faith in northern hemisphere rugby.

Saracens winger Chris Ashton has been ruled out of England’s entire RBS Six Nations campaign after being handed a 10-week suspension.

Robbie Henshaw’s try, a monster tackle from Jonathan Sexton and a clash of heads between Cian Healy and Dan Cole - check out some of the talking points from yesterday’s match.

The IRFU have taken the unusual step of issuing a statement to correct what they have described as "disappointing and inaccurate commentary" on the return from injury of out-half Jonathan Sexton.

Shaun Cronin of breakingnews.ie spoke to Simon Lewis of the Irish Examiner at the Six Nationsteam announcement at Carton House.

RBS Six Nations: Italy 3 Ireland 26: One down and four to go. Ireland are up but not quite running in the defence of their Six Nations title and with France coming to Dublin next Saturday, Joe Schmidt’s squad will know they are in a for hard week ahead of a much stiffer examination than the one provided by Italy in Rome.

Ireland hopeful Robin Copeland is in danger of missing the summer tour to Argentina after he was cited.

From selfies to sniffles, the Irish Examiner brings you the very best images from the RBS Six Nations win.

A lot of water has gone under the bridge since Mike Ross left the field injured at Twickenham two years ago and England stormed to victory over a seriously pressurised Irish front row.

Ulster centre Luke Marshall has been ruled out of Ireland's tour of North America next month, after suffering concussion in three consecutive games this season.

Brian O’Driscoll will return to action for Leinster in Saturday evening’s RaboDirect PRO12 interprovincial clash against Munster in Thomond Park (6.30pm) and he may be joined by flyhalf Jonathan Sexton.

There is mixed news for Munster on the injury front as Simon Zebo returns from injury for Sunday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Halequins (2pm) but skipper Doug Howlett misses out through a shoulder injury.

England 38 Scotland 18

Wales 22 Ireland 30

HT: Wales 3 Ireland 23

RBS Six Nations: ENGLAND V SCOTLAND

Felix Jones, Mike Sherry and Tommy O'Donnell have all been included in the 28-strong Munster squad that will travel to Italy in the morning for the RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Benetton Treviso on Saturday.

PETER STRINGER will be plying his trade with Munster in a Magners League game against Treviso on Sunday around the same time Ireland prepare to face France in the RBS Six Nations at the Aviva Stadium.

Connacht have been dealt a massive blow with captain John Muldoon out for at least three months and possibly the remainder of the season.

DONNCHA RYAN’S hopes of adding to his seven caps this month are in the balance after the second-row was cited yesterday for allegedly stamping an opponent during Ireland’s win over Samoa last Saturday.

WALES captain Ryan Jones has backed teenage record-breaker Tom Prydie to seize his moment when he “lives the dream” today.

MARTIN JOHNSON has urged England to unleash two weeks of hurt on Scotland at Murrayfield — and prove they have learned how to win big matches in the most volatile surroundings.

ANDY POWELL’s involvement in the RBS Six Nations is effectively over after Wales reacted to his charge for drink driving by dropping him from their squad.

THREE of Munster’s integral coaching staff have followed top man Tony McGahan’s lead by extending their contracts with the province, it emerged yesterday.

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

JERRY FLANNERY has given Ireland coach Declan Kidney a timely boost ahead of the RBS Six Nations by confirming his availability for the holders’ opening assignment against Italy at Croke Park on February 6.

TONY BUCKLEY re-launches his representative career in Munster’s Magners League clash with Edinburgh at Musgrave Park tonight (7.30pm). Buckley hasn’t played for the province since the defeat by Connacht at the Sportsground at the end of December, illness ruling him out of the games against Ulster, Ospreys, Sale and Montauban.

Former Ireland skipper Keith Wood has accused France of devaluing the RBS Six Nations with a selection policy he finds infuriating.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has announced a reduced 27-man squad for the opening game in the RBS Six Nations Championship against France on Saturday, February 7.

Wales boss Warren Gatland believes his reigning RBS Six Nations champions have landed “the toughest pool” of Rugby World Cup 2011.

BERRICK BARNES is relishing the battle in prospect between his Australia teammate Matt Giteau and England opposite number Danny Cipriani when they clash at Twickenham.

If Munster can negotiate the huge obstacle that Gloucester respresent in the Heineken Cup quarter-final on Saturday they will either play The Ospreys at The Millennium Stadium or Saracens at The Ricoh Arena on the semi-finals weekend of April 26-27.

NEIL JENKINS has acclaimed the incredible achievements of England’s Jonny Wilkinson as he prepares to hand over his world Test points record today.

ITALY loose forward Mauro Bergamasco will miss the rest of the RBS 6 Nations Championship after he was handed a 13-week ban for poking Wales full-back Lee Byrne in the eye.

Ireland international lock and London Irish captain Bob Casey has been cited for an alleged stamp on lock Cornelius van Zyl in the Round 6 Heineken Cup Pool 1 match against Benetton Treviso last Saturday.

Leinster outhalf Jonathan Sexton suffered a fractured thumb while playing for Leinster against Leicester in the Heineken Cup yesterday.

WASPS have called a press conference for lunchtime today that will end mounting speculation over Lawrence Dallaglio’s future.

SHANNON and UL Bohemians will mark the end of an era at Thomond Park on Saturday.

JONNY WILKINSON insists England will “go with confidence” to Dublin for the pivotal game of their RBS Six Nations campaign — despite a near-botched Italian job.

THE devil is in the detail. Ask Croke Park operations manager Alan Gallagher. Just as staff in Jones Road put one little issue to bed, another pops up.