Ireland may mourn the cruel demise of their RBS 6 Nations title dream for some time to come but Denis Hickie is adamant the experience will prove invaluable at the World Cup.

Eddie O’Sullivan refused to blame fixture scheduling for Ireland’s heart-breaking failure to win the RBS 6 Nations as France were crowned champions by the narrowest of margins.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan refused to criticise his players for conceding the late try which could yet cost them the RBS 6 Nations title.

Italy coach Pierre Berbizier made three changes to his line-up for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship match with Wales on a day when the Azzurri were upheld as an example for Italian sport by the country’s government.

GAVIN HENSON has been told he can claim a place on Wales’ summer tour of Australia despite being ruled out of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Italy fly-half Andrea Scanavacca has revealed the Azzurri celebrated for three days after beating Scotland at Murrayfield.

ITALY captain Marco Bortolami has admitted he feared the Azzurri might throw away their chance to make history in the RBS 6 Nations Championship against Scotland.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden took "full responsibility" for the shock 37-17 home defeat to Italy in the RBS 6 Nations today.

Scotland 17 Italy 37

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.

Italy captain Marco Bortalami says his team will take renewed confidence from their latest RBS 6 Nations defeat by England.

Jonny Wilkinson became the most prolific scorer in championship history as England struggled to a 20-7 win over spirited Italy in the RBS 6 Nations at Twickenham.

Jonny Wilkinson became the most prolific scorer in championship history as England struggled to a 20-7 win over spirited Italy in the RBS 6 Nations at Twickenham.

Italy’s Ramiro Pez admits the team’s injury problems are a “bitter blow” ahead of their Twickenham date with England.

Italy coach Pierre Berbizier believes his team only had themselves to blame for their poor showing in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations opener.

There was an experimental feel to France’s team for their 2007 RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Italy at a sun-kissed Stadio Flaminio today.

Italy coach Pierre Berbizier will start Salvatore Perugini at prop instead of Andrea Lo Cicero for Saturday’s Six Nations Championship opener against France.

Calvisano 11 Sale Sharks 29

Calvisano 10 Stade Francais 45

Brad Johnstone has revamped Italy's squad once again after the Twickenham thrashing last Saturday.

Roma centre Giovanni Raineri has been handed the fly-half role for Italy's Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham.