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.

The captain of Ireland group rivals Italy, Sergio Parisse, saw his side run in nine tries in their 53-17 win against Russia in Nelson today, but has warned them that they must improve defensively.

Russia technical director Kingsley Jones believes the Bears can emerge victorious from their first ever World Cup finals match – if they can secure set-piece possession against the United States in New Plymouth.

RUSSIA make their World Cup debut against the US tomorrow knowing they must capitalise on their moment in the spotlight.

Russia make their World Cup debut against the United States on Thursday knowing they must capitalise on their moment in the spotlight.

They might get spanked in Ireland’s Pool C but a shift in attitude to the sport in Russia means this could be the last World Cup they’ll head to as minnows. Ciaran Cronin explains.

MALCOLM O’KELLY will be afforded the opportunity to round off his long professional career on a high when he lines out for the Barbarians against Ireland at Thomond Park on Friday night (7.45 p.m).

Sale Sharks boss Kingsley Jones is ready for “a massive game” against French giants Toulouse tomorrow when his team pursue a European consolation prize.

Paul O’Connell believes Munster answered their critics in the best possible way with a stunning 37-14 bonus-point victory against Perpignan yesterday.

Munster can push reigning French champions Perpignan to the brink of Heineken Cup elimination tomorrow – and underline their own credentials for a possible third European title.

British and Irish Lions prop Gethin Jenkins will captain Cardiff Blues against Sale Sharks tonight when he makes first appearance of the season.

Dylan Hartley insists Northampton will step into the unknown without any fear at Perpignan tomorrow night, after their momentous victory over two-time European champions Munster.

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Ospreys boss Scott Johnson has emphasised the need for discipline and patience when his star-studded Welsh challengers launch their Heineken Cup campaign at Leicester tomorrow.

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of Scotland international prop Gavin Kerr.

PHILIPPE SAINT-ANDRE is hoping his Sale Sharks players will be on cloud nine after their Heineken Cup double-header against Montauban, which kicks-off at Edgeley Park tonight.

England World Cup prop Andrew Sheridan has signed a new long-term deal with Sale Sharks.

YOU were forewarned by Bernard Laporte himself. Last week, quizzed on his selection of Sebastian Chabal at lock, the French coach simply said Chabal could offer his team certain things that Jerome Thion and Fabien Pelous couldn’t. Certainly neither Thion nor Pelous could have scored Chabal’s rampaging second try last Sunday night against Namibia, but then there’s hardly a second-row in the world who could.

INJURED France captain, Fabien Pelous, is in the dark about whether he will play in this year’s RBS Six Nations Championship.

NEWCASTLE boss John Fletcher has angrily rejected any suggestion Jonny Wilkinson is being “rested” from Guinness Premiership action this weekend on England’s request.

ENGLAND head coach Brian Ashton faces a potential wing crisis ahead of next weekend’s opening Six Nations clash with Scotland after Jason Robinson, Mark Cueto and Paul Sackey were ruled out of this week’s Twickenham training camp.

England head coach Brian Ashton faces a potential wing crisis ahead of next weekend’s opening RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland after Jason Robinson, Mark Cueto and Paul Sackey were ruled out of this week’s Twickenham training camp.

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Philippe Saint-Andre, who guided Sale Sharks to their first Guinness Premiership title earlier this year, has put club before country by signing a three-year extension to his contract.

Sale coach Kingsley Jones is delighted the Sharks travel to San Sebastian as underdogs, and remains confident they can storm Biarritz’s Basque stronghold.

THE HOST city is awash in red, the Sale Sharks fans have arrived, the weather forecast is favourable.

Saracens face a crucial Heineken Cup clash against Ulster in Belfast tomorrow night, with rugby director Steve Diamond admitting: “We don’t need to motivate the players for this game.”

WITH four Lions in his squad, Sale coach Kingsley Jones is confident the Sharks will end Connacht’s European Challenge Cup odyssey on Sunday - but not as confident as he would have been had Michael Bradley’s side not grabbed a lifeline with a late try in their semi-final first leg.

English champions Leicester conjured up a superb try for centre Leon Lloyd as the Tigers took a 16-9 half-time lead in today’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Gloucester at Vicarage Road.

Big Dean Richards tried valiantly to keep the smile from his face but it was clear that a Heineken Cup semi-final draw against Gloucester was OK by him.

Dean Richards insists his Leicester side will have their work cut out to reach the Heineken Cup final after being matched against Gloucester in the last four.

Gloucester’s rampant forwards have been backed to cause more Heineken Cup mayhem after they roughed up Cardiff and sent them tumbling out of Europe.