Ireland laboured for an hour before two tries in three minutes launched their RBS 6 Nations title defence with a 26-3 victory that was more sluggish than routine in Italy.

Simon Zebo and Andrew Conway both crossed twice as Munster dominated their Champions Cup dead rubber against a young Sale outfit at Thomond Park.

European Champions Cup Pool 1

A 40-metre drop goal from Ian Keatley in the last action of a gripping European Champions Cup clash completed a remarkable comeback from Munster against Sale.

European Champions Cup Pool 1

Wales 23 Italy 15

Treviso 3 Ulster 35

Benetton Treviso 3 Ulster 35

Australia bounced back from their England defeat to record a 50-20 victory over Italy in their second autumn international at the Stadio Olimpico.

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I have become extremely wary of Irish performances in the second of back-to-back internationals and the fact that today’s outing is against Italy offers no significant comfort.

England 18 Italy 11

England 18 Italy 11

Italy 23 France 18

Treviso 32 Newport Gwent Dragons 13

Ospreys 38 Benetton Treviso 17

Newport Gwent Dragons 32 Benetton Treviso 33

Ospreys 41 Treviso 10

Italy coach Jaques Brunel has made six changes to the squad that lost against Wales in Cardiff last weekend for their final RBS Six Nations game against Scotland in Rome on Saturday.

Just how expensive will that last gasp penalty against Wales prove to be when this championship is decided in a few weeks time?

France 30 Italy 12

Italy coach Jacques Brunel has named four uncapped players in his 30-man squad for the for the first two games of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Andrea Masi returns at full-back in Italy’s only change for Sunday’s World Cup showdown with Ireland at Otago Stadium.

IF the current spin whirling around this Sunday’s World Cup clash is to believed, Italy’s backline will be standing around twiddling their thumbs under the Otago Stadium roof while their pack goes about the business of trying to arm wrestle Ireland into submission.

Italy 27 United States 10

DON’T expect a cakewalk and don’t imagine it is going to be pretty.

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.

Italy 53 Russia 17

Benetton Treviso 31 Edinburgh 6

Scotland 21 Italy 8

Italy prop Andrea Lo Cicero is relishing the prospect of taking on France in Rome on Saturday.

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.

AS a professional rugby player, one of the best bits of advice you get is not to heed the media. It’s usually one of the older, battle-hardened players who passes on this wisdom down to the more naive, young guns. But they never listen.

LUKE FITZGERALD has long been used to admiring rugby greats and learning from his elders. That comes with the territory when your father happens to be a former international.

Ireland’s showdown with France is shaping up to be a high-octane thriller after Luke Fitzgerald became the latest member of the Irish camp to demand all-out attack.

TOMÁS O’LEARY is pretty sure Ireland’s back division can mend their error-strewn ways and be at their clinical best for the visit of Six Nations champions France on Sunday.

Ireland will review Saturday’s 13-11 RBS 6 Nations victory over Italy before deciding whether to make a complaint about referee Romain Poite’s handling of the scrum.

RONAN O’GARA had visions of a torrid night in Bordeaux and a narrow escape against Georgia as Italy’s Luke McLean scored the try that edged the Azzurri in front with five minutes to go in Rome.

ITALY coach Nick Mallett blamed his side’s inexperience for blowing the chance of an historic first Six Nations victory over Ireland.

TWO away victories for England and Ireland and a return to winning ways for the French support the pre-tournament view that the winners of this season’s Six Nations will come from one of Ireland, England and the current champions.