RABO DIRECT PRO12:

Brian O’Driscoll is to set a new all-time Test appearances record of 140 caps in his penultimate international bow today, easing past former Australia scrum-half George Gregan’s tally.

Marco Bortolami insists Italy are not keeping their powder dry for the visit of England to Rome next week and the Azzurri have come to Dublin determined to “destroy” Brian O’Driscoll’s party as the Leinster centre plays for his country on home soil for the last time.

Italy are out to rain on Brian O’Driscoll’s great leaving parade in Dublin on Saturday, according to captain Marco Bortolami.

Veteran lock Marco Bortolami will captain Italy in tomorrow’s RBS Six Nations game against Ireland.

France 30 Italy 10

Wales 23 Italy 15

Connacht 25 Zebre 16

Scarlets, who play Munster next weekend, kept their hopes of a place in the RaboDirect Pro12 play-offs alive with a hard-fought victory over bottom side Aironi in Viadana yesterday.

Ireland resumed their interrupted RBS 6 Nations campaign determined to avoid a third successive defeat at the Aviva Stadium.

Italy coach Jacques Brunel has made two changes to the side that lost the RBS 6 Nations opener against France for the game against England in Rome on Saturday.

LUCIANO ORQUERA kicked all of Aironi’s points as they won their all-Italian meeting with Treviso in the RaboDirect PRO12.

EDINBURGH continued their run of impressive form as they racked up seven tries against RaboDirect Pro12 basement side Aironi at Murrayfield.

CLERMONT AUVERGNE picked up their first win of this season’s Heineken Cup in some style as they put Aironi to the sword in a one-sided clash at Stade Marcel Michelin last night.

ITALY captain Sergio Parisse saw his side run in nine tries in yesterday’s win against Russia in Nelson — but has warned them that they must improve defensively.

AIRONI bring their debut season in the Magners League to a close with two big challenges in the guise of Leinster and the Ospreys.

BIARRITZ gained revenge over Aironi Rugby last night with a convincing Heineken Cup victory in their return Pool 4 match at Parc des Sports Aguilera.

ULSTER got their Heineken Cup campaign off to the perfect start with a five-pointer against Aironi at Ravenhill last night.

Ulster 30 Aironi 6

Ulster will have to survive without Rory Best and Stephen Ferris for their first away date in the Magners League at Aironi in Italy this weekend.

LEE BYRNE has revealed he feared the selection axe for Wales’ successful Italian job after his yellow card calamity at Croke Park.

FRANCE defence coach Dave Ellis was delighted with his side’s six-try show against Italy as Les Bleus remained on course for the Grand Slam.

ITALY head coach Nick Mallett has named his 24-man squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday.

SCOTLAND prop Allan Jacobsen faces four months on the sidelines after tests showed he will require shoulder surgery.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has made four changes to the side that lost against Ireland for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield.

Italy will be boosted by the return of lock Marco Bortolami and centre Andrea Marcato for their RBS Six Nations game in Scotland on February 28, but will be without Andrea Masi after the full-back received a three-week ban today.

ITALY coach Nick Mallett is looking for the Azzurri to play a perfect game against Ireland as they attempt to forget their opening 6 Nations defeat at England.

CARDIFF BLUES won a seven-try Heineken Cup thriller at the Millennium Stadium to take charge of their qualifying group.

FRANCE captain Lionel Nallet preferred to dwell on his team’s victory over Italy rather than the prospect of registering a heavy win against Wales next weekend to retain the RBS 6 Nations Championship title.

WALES coach Warren Gatland insists Italy deserve to be treated with more respect — and he has been drumming home that message to his players all week.

Italy welcome back Gloucester lock Marco Bortolami for the RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales in Cardiff on February 23.

NICK MALLETT claims Italy are beginning to enjoy the benefits of shedding their inferiority complex.

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

Gloucester 26 Ospreys 18

Italy captain Marco Bortolami is an injury doubt for Saturday’s crucial World Cup Pool C match against Scotland in St Etienne.

ITALY’S stuttering World Cup campaign showed no sign of improvement last night as they struggled to an unconvincing Pool C win over brave Portugal at the Parc des Princes.

ITALY got their Rugby World Cup campaign back on track last night with a laboured victory over Pool C rivals Romania in Marseille.

Italy captain Marco Bortolami believes the national rugby team players must keep their feet firmly on the ground but can now look to the future with optimism.

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.

YOU only appreciate the respect in which Paul O’Connell is held when you listen to Donncha O’Callaghan and Mick O’Driscoll, who deputises for the injured Ireland and Munster second row over the next month.

Italy 23 Wales 20

ITALY captain Marco Bortolami has pitched this afternoon’s clash with Wales as the Azzurri’s biggest challenge since joining the Six Nations in 2000.

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.

ENGLAND flanker Lewis Moody is “devastated” to be missing the rest of the RBS 6 Nations Championship through injury.