Jack McGrath believes Ireland can turn Italy’s confrontational scrummaging against them in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations opener in Rome.

European Champions Cup Pool 3

Steffon Armitage scored a hat-trick as Toulon secured top spot in Champions Cup Pool 3 with a game to spare thanks to a 60-22 bonus-point win over Ulster.

Toulon’s former Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni has received a suspended four-match ban after he admitted a misconduct complaint, European Professional Club Rugby has announced.

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.

France 30 Italy 10

Having being omitted from Warren Gatland’s Lions squad, Perpignan fly-half James Hook could line out against the British and Irish outfit, having been named in the provisional Barbarians squad.

Italy will be without prop Martin Castrogiovanni for their RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland after he failed to recover from a thigh injury.

England 18 Italy 11

Italy 9 Wales 26

Italy 9 Wales 26

Scotland 34 Italy 10

Italy 23 France 18

Italy 23 France 18

The Bull My Story

The sun shone brightly on a smattering of young Ulster stars as they held a full-strength Leicester Tigers side in a pre-season slog at Ravenhill on Saturday.

Italy 13 Scotland 6

Italy coach Jacques Brunel has made four changes to face Ireland in Saturday’s RBS Six Nations match at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton has removed any injury doubts ahead of Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy in Dublin.

The 20-year-old landed four penalties and a tough conversion, following Charlie Hodgson’s second charge-down try in as many weeks, as England rallied from 15-6 down to claim their second win of the championship.

Italy 15 England 19

GLASGOW WARRIORS maintained their pursuit of Leinster in Heineken Cup Pool Three with a 20-15 victory over Montpellier at Firhill.

WHATEVER it takes.

Geordan Murphy and Martin Castrogiovanni have been exchanging insults as the countdown to Ireland’s crucial World Cup clash with Italy continues.

After securing a bonus point victory over the USA Eagles, Italian prop Martin Castrogiovanni insists his team are not intimidated by the challenge facing them when they come up against Declan Kidney’s Ireland on October 2.

Italy 27 USA 10

Italy captain Sergio Parisse will take his side into their winner-takes-all World Cup clash with Ireland on Sunday full of confidence after today’s bonus-point win over the United States.

Italy coach Nick Mallett was in bullish form today ahead of his side’s World Cup clash with Ireland in Dunedin next Sunday.

Italy 27 United States 10

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.

RICHARD COCKERILL wasn’t the first Leicester coach to dismiss the significance of an iconic Irish stadium when he glossed over the return of five of his players to the Aviva this evening so soon after their Six Nations trauma with England.

GREG FEEK has earned his crust since leaving New Zealand and his post with the Hurricanes by moving to Dublin to find a cure for Leinster — and then Ireland’s — ailing scrums.

Scotland were today aiming to avoid the RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon in their clash with Italy at Murrayfield.

IMAGINE being the footballing full-back who has to spend 90 minutes being tormented by Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo only to learn he then has to mark Barcelona’s Lionel Messi the following week.

ITALY coach Nick Mallett insists his men head to Twickenham convinced they can make history with a first victory over England.

Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni says the Azzurri will have to play the perfect game if they are to upset England on Saturday.

IRELAND’S front row may have its work cut out at Stadio Flaminio this afternoon after Italy coach Nick Mallett revealed today’s match referee had sent a written apology to his federation following last year’s encounter.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has named a 24-man squad for the first two games of the RBS 6 Nations.

LEICESTER director of rugby Richard Cockerill praised the intensity of his side’s performance after they hammered the Scarlets at Welford Road to take control of Heineken Cup Pool 5.

Leicester 46 Scarlets 10

Leicester Tigers 37 Leinster 14, Welford Road

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.