The Dermot Weld-trained Kaleefa earned a valuable winning bracket when justifying 5/6 favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms Fillies Maiden in Roscommon last night.

Italy 5 Ireland 30: Women’s Six Nations Championship: New captain Niamh Briggs led by example with a woman of the match performance as Ireland got their Six Nations campaign off to a winning start.

Defiant Italy coach Cesare Prandelli insists the Azzuri still have every chance of qualifying for the Euro 2012 knockout stages despite having to settle for their second consecutive Group C draw.

Italy coach Jacques Brunel has named four uncapped players in his 30-man squad for the for the first two games of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

I LANDED my job in the Irish Examiner by pitching a half-baked idea — cold — to the sports editor.

Ten times Irish senior champion Ken Egan has been withdrawn from the Irish squad to face Italy at the National Stadium in Dublin this Friday after picking up the flu.

Italy football federation president Giancarlo Abete is hoping his national team can this weekend confirm their place at next year’s World Cup finals.

ITALY goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has offered exiled star Antonio Cassano some hope in making it into Marcelo Lippi’s squad for next summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

ITALY coach Marcelo Lippi will give young Inter Milan defender Davide Santon his senior international debut against Northern Ireland tonight after admitting to being impressed with him in training.

THE Republic of Ireland are likely to have to face Italy in Bari on Wednesday without their two first-choice wingers.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has called up in-form Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini for the World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Republic of Ireland.

ITALIAN centre Mirco Bergamasco last night vowed his side wouldn’t be overawed by Brian O’Driscoll and company in Saturday’s Six Nations opener at Croke Park.

Alessandro Troncon claimed that Italy are leaving the 2007 RBS 6 Nations with heads held high despite today’s 51-24 defeat against Ireland in the final match in Rome.

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.

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 crushed Russia 67-7 in Moscow today to make certain of their place at the 2007 World Cup.

World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi could make a shock return to the Italy set-up, although his successor Roberto Donadoni’s position is not under threat despite a disappointing start to his reign.

AN ANALOGY by US striker Eddie Johnson — comparing the World Cup to war — has been exaggerated, US coach Bruce Arena insisted last night.

COLIN CHARVIS has warned Wales must improve substantially for this weekend’s RBS Six Nations Championship clash with Italy or face making unwanted history.

IF a week is a long time in politics then it can be a lifetime in professional sport.

Lions winger Shane Horgan admits the Italian blitz defence gave Ireland’s vaunted back line a torrid time in their RBS 6 Nations opener at Lansdowne Road.

The 2006 RBS Six Nations match between Ireland and Italy has kicked off in Lansdowne Road.

Scottish Rugby Union director of rugby Ian McGeechan has praised national coach Matt Williams for his handling of recent criticism.

Italy captain Marco Bortolami believes that the Azzurri will have to be at their best if they are to have any hope of finishing the RBS 6 Nations with pride after their defeat to Scotland.

ITALY captain Marco Bortolami has warned rugby purists to stay clear of Murrayfield when his side go into battle with Scotland in what could prove to be the wooden-spoon decider in the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Italy captain Marco Bortolami has warned rugby purists to stay clear of Murrayfield when his side go into battle with Scotland in what could prove to be the wooden-spoon decider in the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Italy’s team manager Marco Bollesan has pinpointed the Azzuri’s trip to face Scotland at Murrayfield as their most important game of the competition.

Italy 1 Sweden 1

Wasps’ inspirational captain Lawrence Dallaglio will put aside his admiration for Munster and love of all things Irish for 80 minutes on Sunday. He spoke to Barry Coughlan.

Italy are out to avenge their World Cup defeat when they travel to Cardiff for their final match of the 2004 RBS 6 Nations Championship against Wales tomorrow.

The Mayo ladies have been forced to withdraw their Azzuri made jerseys from the shops for legal reasons - losing out on a potential Christmas cash cow.

The victorious Mayo ladies football team are in line for severe punishment after ignoring an official directive and wearing Azzuri gear during Sunday's All-Ireland final defeat of Dublin.

The Mayo ladies football team have become embroiled in a major row over which brand kit they wear ahead of their All-Ireland semi-final tie this weekend.

Laois have signed up a three-year deal with kit suppliers Azzuri to supply gear for their inter-county teams.

Waterford kit suppliers Azzuri have added another high profile county to their ever growing list.

Italian veteran Angelo di Livio has replaced Zambrotta in the Azzuri's midfield for the last 20 minutes.

Italian veteran Angelo di Livio has replaced Zambrotta in the Azzuri's midfield for the last 20 minutes.

By Catherine Shanahan