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 coach Nick Mallett has made no changes to the starting XV that lost their last RBS 6 Nations match to England for the game against Scotland in Rome on Saturday.

RICHIE REES could have been excused a double-take as he prepared to embark on the biggest week of his rugby life.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has named lock Carlo Antonio Del Fava in his 24-man squad for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland in Rome.

Carlo Antonio Del Fava is the surprise inclusion in Italy’s 30-man squad to face Scotland in their next RBS 6 Nations clash.

LEICESTER tight-head prop Dan Cole has admitted the prospect of anchoring the England pack in a full international was not even on his radar at the start of this season.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has been forced to make two changes to his 24-man squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations match against England in Rome on Sunday.

Ireland are beginning the defence of their RBS 6 Nations crown amid high expectations at Croke Park against wooden spoon favourites Italy.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry claims uncertainty over scrum laws is ruining the game for spectators after watching his second-string side labour to victory over Italy at the San Siro on Saturday.

A SIX-TRY salvo helped the Scarlets leapfrog Ulster to finish fifth in the Magners League with a convincing bonus-point victory at Parc y Scarlets.

Glasgow 19 Ulster 20

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

JASON TOVEY produced a virtuoso performance as the Dragons hit back to steal a crucial Magners League win over fellow basement strugglers Ulster at Rodney Parade.

Ireland are unchanged for Italy at the Stadio Flaminio as they sought to generate further momentum for their RBS 6 Nations title bid.

Ulster Coach Matt Williams will have to do battle with Leinster without locks Ryan Caldwell and Carlo Del Fava, scrum half Cillian Willis and wing Simon Danielli in his squad for their Magner's League tussle at Ravenhill on Saturday.

ULSTER fell to their first home defeat under coach Matt Williams in an entertaining eight-try clash at Ravenhill on Saturday.

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.

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

Ulster caretaker coach Steve Williams has made no changes to his side for the Heineken Cup tie at home to Ravenhill on Friday night.

ALAN QUINLAN could make dramatic return for Munster in the province’s penultimate Heineken Cup pool game against Clermont Auvergne on Sunday week.

Ulster 8-16 Ospreys

Connacht 13 Ulster 30

Bourgoin 24 Ulster 17

Ulster 14 Gloucester 32

Ulster 16 Leinster 16

Ulster Coach Mark McCall has included Italian World Cup lock forward Carlo del Fava and summer signing Kieran Hallett in a 24-man squad to play The Dragons this Saturday at Rodney Parade.

Scotland 18 Italy 16

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.

FULLBACK Federico Serra scored 19 points as Argentina beat Italy 24-6 in Mendoza on Saturday in their final home test before the World Cup.

Ulster Rugby today announced that they have signed Italian international lock Carlo Del Fava on a two-year contract.

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

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.

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.

SCOTLAND forward Simon Taylor was pleased with his side’s opening RBS Six Nations victory - despite a disappointing overall performance.

Wales are facing another testing examination of their RBS 6 Nations title credentials today at the Stadio Flaminio, mindful of the humiliation that haunted their last trip to Rome.