FRANCE centre Ludovic Valbon was last night ruled out of the Six Nations match against Ireland after suffering a thigh injury in training.

Italy’s team doctor Gianluca Melegati has reported a clean bill of health for the Azzurri squad following Sunday’s 28-17 defeat to Ireland in their opening match of the RBS 6 Nations.

Italy are out to avenge their World Cup defeat when they travel to Cardiff for their final match of the 2004 RBS 6 Nations Championship against Wales tomorrow.

Italy 13 Ireland 37

Italy have named an unchanged team for Saturday's RBS Six Nations clash with Ireland at Rome's Stadio Flaminio.