Person: C Festuccia

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

rugby

Connacht on the cusp of history

You need breaks in any sport to win things. Connacht got them and took them on their march to the PRO12 title last season. It’s happening again in the Champions Cup this time round but there is nothing fortuitous about Pat Lam’s men being in prime position to make the quarter-finals for the first time in history. 

Munster v Zebre - Guinness PRO12 Round 5

rugby

All sweetness and light for Munster against Zebre

Munster 49 Zebre 5

rugby

‘Solid start’ for Rassie Erasmus

Munster 17 Zebre 0: Last night’s pre-season friendly at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre lacked the type of quality that Munster supporters will expect as the season progresses under a new coaching ticket, but South African boss Rassie Erasmus was pleased with the victory.

Exeter Chiefs players celebrate as Kai Horstmann scores the opening try 24/1/2016

rugby

A team-by-team guide to the Champions Cup last-eight

rugby

Leinster face long, hard slog to get the job done against Wasps

rugby

Toulon bid to recover from ‘kick in the rear’

Sexton sparkles on return as Leinster gain bonus point and reclaim second spot

Zebre 22 Leinster 41

Mon, 22 Apr, 2013

Parks rescues Connacht

Connacht 23 Zebre 19

Sat, 02 Mar, 2013

Connacht aiming to end campaign on a high

Failure to manage a bonus point in last weekend’s loss to Harlequins has made it mathematically impossible to catch pool runners-up Biarritz, but pride and a third Heineken Cup win are at stake for Connacht this evening.

Fri, 18 Jan, 2013

Schmidt gets valuable forward momentum

Leinster 37 Zebre 7

Mon, 03 Dec, 2012

Schmidt splits the difference

No matter what way Joe Schmidt and the other three provincial coaches look at it, this is one of those weeks where there is no right or wrong when it comes to the troublesome business of team selection.

Sat, 01 Dec, 2012

Elwood ‘chuffed’ as Connacht knock stripes off Zebre

Zebre 10 Connacht 19

Mon, 15 Oct, 2012

Gray hails Scotland performance as spoon avoided

SCOTLAND avoided the RBS Six Nations wooden spoon with a comfortable win over Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Mon, 21 Mar, 2011

New challenge for Mallett as he warns Italy of arrogance pitfalls

OH, how a few performances can change a team.

Sat, 19 Mar, 2011

Parisse planning to break France down from within

ITALY captain Sergio Parisse believes the Azzurri could have an advantage going into their RBS 6 Nations match against France today.

Sat, 12 Mar, 2011

All change for Italy

Italy coach Nick Mallett has made seven changes to his side to face France in Saturday's RBS Six Nations match at the Stadio Flaminio.

Thu, 10 Mar, 2011

Three changes for Azzurri

Italy coach Nick Mallett has made three changes to his side to face Wales in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match at the Stadio Flaminio.

Thu, 24 Feb, 2011

Jonny’s boot causes Red alert

JONNY WILKINSON lost a battle of the drop kicks as Toulon were beaten in Paris last night but Munster were put on warning ahead of their Heineken Cup showdown in the south of France next Sunday.

Mon, 10 Jan, 2011

Sexton to start for Leinster

Out-half Jonathan Sexton will start for Leinster against Racing-Metro in Pool 2 of the Heineken Cup at The RDS tomorrow afternoon (1.30pm).

Fri, 08 Oct, 2010

We need to play perfect game, says Mallett

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.

Fri, 13 Feb, 2009

Ellis: England should plan for 2011

ENGLAND are missing a trick in not following France’s lead and looking long-term towards the 2011 World Cup, according to Les Bleus defence coach David Ellis.

Thu, 21 Feb, 2008

Mallett forced into changes for Welsh challenge

Italy coach Nick Mallett has been forced to make several changes to his team to face Wales in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship encounter in Cardiff.

Wed, 20 Feb, 2008

Bortolami back for Italy

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

Wed, 13 Feb, 2008

Mallett demands improvement from Italy

Italy coach Nick Mallett believes the Azzurri will have to significantly raise their game when they meet England in the RBS 6 Nations Championship this weekend.

Wed, 06 Feb, 2008

Ireland to face experienced Italy team at Croke Park

Italy coach Nick Mallett has put his faith in experience for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations opener with Ireland at Croke Park.

Wed, 30 Jan, 2008

Mallett eyeing wins as Italy ‘now believes’

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

Thu, 24 Jan, 2008

Italy snub for Scanavacca

Fly-half Andrea Scanavacca was the most notable absentee from a 40-man squad named by Italy coach Pierre Berbizier today for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.

Mon, 18 Jun, 2007

Italy Six Nations team announced

Italy team to play Wales in the RBS Six Nations Championship at the Stadio Flaminio on Saturday, March 10 has been announced.

Thu, 08 Mar, 2007

Three changes for Azzurri

Italy coach Pierre Berbizier has made three changes to his starting line-up for the Six Nations Championship clash against Wales in Cardiff.

Thu, 09 Mar, 2006

Castaignede eager to get back into misfiring French line-up

THOMAS CASTAIGNEDE admits it has been hard watching France endure a stuttering start to their RBS 6 Nations campaign as he prepares to make his tournament bow against Italy tomorrow.

Fri, 24 Feb, 2006

Del Fava gets Italy nod

Italy coach Pierre Berbizier has drafted Bourgoin lock Carlos Del Fava into his first 15 for this weekend’s Six Nations Championship clash with France in Paris.

Thu, 23 Feb, 2006

Devil in the detail for Borthwick

ENGLAND lock Steve Borthwick has a degree in economics and politics from Bath University - so his reputation as a workaholic rugby scholar should be of little surprise.

Fri, 10 Feb, 2006

French game can still have huge bearing

THOUGH the main focus of the final weekend will be in Cardiff, France’s game with Italy could play a major part in the outcome of the championship.

Sat, 19 Mar, 2005

Italy resist changes for Canada clash

Italy coach John Kirwan has made just the one change for the Azzurri’s crunch Pool D game against Canada next week.

Sat, 18 Oct, 2003

Kirwan issues Italy rallying call

John Kirwan today made 14 changes to the Italy side that was thumped by New Zealand on Saturday and urged his new-look side: “Our World Cup starts now.”

Mon, 13 Oct, 2003

Kirwan picks stronger side

Italy coach John Kirwan has pulled back from his threat to field an entire second 15 in Saturday’s Pool D clash with New Zealand in Melbourne.

Tue, 07 Oct, 2003

Big test for Italians

Italy coach John Kirwan will find out in Edinburgh on Saturday whether his intensive World Cup preparations are likely to pay worthwhile dividends.

Thu, 21 Aug, 2003

Italy name team to play Scotland

Italy have named their team to play Scotland in RBS 6 Nations on Saturday at Murrayfield.

Thu, 27 Mar, 2003

Rugby: Ireland A defeat Italy by 54 pts

Ireland followed an uninspired first-half, from which they led 12-0 through four Paul Burke penalties, with seven second-half tries that kept them on the road to a Grand Slam in their A international campaign at Donnybrook.

Fri, 22 Mar, 2002

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