Jake White, the mastermind of South Africa’s 2007 World Cup triumph, today effectively threw his hat into the ring to become the next England coach.

Former Australia coach Eddie Jones last night expressed an interest in replacing Martin Johnson as the next England team manager, just hours after Nick Mallett had ruled himself out of contention for the job.

ITALY coach Nick Mallett believes Ireland are capable of reaching the World Cup final, asking: “Where is their weakness?”

Italy coach Nick Mallett believes Ireland are capable of reaching the World Cup final, asking: “Where is their weakness?”

Mike Ross has warned Italy that Ireland’s ever-improving scrum is ready to accept the challenge laid down by Nick Mallett.

PAUL O’CONNELL’S preparations to upset Italy’s lineout tomorrow have gone as far as learning Italian, fellow Ireland lock Donncha O’Callaghan has revealed.

WHATEVER it takes.

Nick Mallett insists Italy’s final assault on the World Cup quarter-finals will be strengthened by the belief they have come of age in Test rugby.

Les Kiss empathises with the decision of Italy coach Nick Mallett to throw down the gauntlet to Ireland at the scrum.

IRELAND may be preparing for the mother of all confrontations on the rugby pitch on Sunday against Italy but there was a distinct reticence yesterday to engage in the verbal jousting started by Azzurri coach Nick Mallett the previous evening.

Ireland flanker Shane Jennings believes his team’s Stadio Flaminio escape act in February proves victory over Italy in Sunday’s high-stakes World Cup showdown must not be taken for granted.

Ireland’s forwards coach Gert Smal expects Italy to play to their strengths when they face Ireland in Dunedin and take Declan Kidney’s men on up front, specifically targeting the Irish scrum.

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.

GERT SMAL and Nick Mallett’s careers have been intertwined for more than 30 years and Ireland’s forwards coach knows enough about the Italy boss to suggest his fellow South African will “do anything” to get his way on the rugby pitch.

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.

Ireland will almost certainly be dumped out of the World Cup if they lose Sunday’s final group game against Italy at Otago Stadium.

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

Italy will unveil a vastly-changed line-up when they take on Russia in Ireland's Group C of the Rugby World Cup tomorrow, with only three players retained from the 32-6 mauling at the hands of Australia.

ITALY coach Nick Mallett isn’t holding out much hope for victory against Australia tomorrow.

Italy coach Nick Mallett believes his side have been handed the toughest opening assignment of any team at the World Cup as they prepare to face Tri Nations champions Australia in Pool C on Sunday.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has named a 30-man squad for the World Cup in New Zealand.

Romain Poite takes charge of his first Heineken Cup final this evening but, as Ian Moriarty finds out, he has not been without controversy.

Perpignan coach Jacques Brunel is to take charge of the Italian national team after the World Cup in New Zealand.

Italian Rugby Federation president Giancarlo Dondi has announced Jacques Brunel will soon be confirmed as the new coach of the national team.

Nick Mallett’s tenure as Italy coach will come to an end after this year’s World Cup, the Italian Rugby Federation has announced.

OH, how a few performances can change a team.

Italy winger Tommaso Benvenuti believes his team must not get carried away by the euphoria surrounding their historic win over France as they prepare for their final RBS 6 Nations match of the year against Scotland on Saturday.

IN A tournament devoid of any classic encounter to date, last weekend’s penultimate round of Six Nations Championship provided more incident and controversy than the previous three rounds together.

Italy coach Nick Mallett hailed today's momentous RBS 6 Nations win over France as evidence that his team are now a serious force in the world game.

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.

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

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

Italy coach Nick Mallett has made four changes to the side that lost their RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland for Saturday’s game against England at Twickenham.

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

DECLAN KIDNEY will seek further clarification from International Rugby Board referees’ manager Paddy O’Brien following a day of frustration in Rome at the whistle of French referee Romain Poite.

Brian O’Driscoll voiced his relief after Ireland narrowly avoided a first RBS 6 Nations defeat by Italy.

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 believes the country’s rugby federation and its two Magners League franchises need to work together to help the national team improve.

Italy haven’t set the Six Nations alight, but coach Nick Mallett sees signs of hope for the future, reports Simon Lewis from Rome.

ITALY coach Nick Mallett has handed Benetton Treviso’s Kristopher Burton the number 10 shirt for tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland at Rome’s Flaminio Stadium.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has handed Benetton Treviso’s Kristopher Burton the number 10 shirt for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland at Rome’s Flaminio Stadium.

Nick Mallett embarks on his fourth RBS 6 Nations campaign as coach of Italy looking for continued progress from his players.