Jamie Roberts has no doubt that an extended preparation period will help Wales arrive at the World Cup later this year in prime physical and mental shape.

Italy 0 France 29

RBS Six Nations

England 47 Italy 17

Brian O’Driscoll is to set a new all-time Test appearances record of 140 caps in his penultimate international bow today, easing past former Australia scrum-half George Gregan’s tally.

The winning of a coveted Michelin star last year greatly improved the fortunes of Sebastien Masi’s Locks Brasserie restaurant, recording profits of over €100,000.

AMLIN CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER-FINAL:

Wasps 28 Leinster 48

Brian O’Driscoll has emerged for potentially his final RBS 6 Nations match as Ireland meet Italy at the Stadio Flaminio with his future beyond the summer undecided.

Italy will be without prop Martin Castrogiovanni for their RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland after he failed to recover from a thigh injury.

England 18 Italy 11

Courtney Lawes is ready to strike fear into the French ‘bully boys’ when he is unleashed from the England back row for the first time.

Scotland 34 Italy 10

Italy Under-21s 2 Republic of Ireland Under-21s 4

Wales kept their Grand Slam mission on course after seeing off a determined Italy outfit at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff 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?

Ireland resumed their interrupted RBS 6 Nations campaign determined to avoid a third successive defeat at the Aviva Stadium.

Italy 15 England 19

LUCIANO ORQUERA kicked all of Aironi’s points as they won their all-Italian meeting with Treviso in the RaboDirect PRO12.

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

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.

Italy 27 USA 10

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.

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

Scotland 23 Italy 12

IT’S not what you’d expect from an international rugby player but for Tullow’s Sean O’Brien, a place away from the limelight at a rural club cup was home.

Scotland 21 Italy 8

Scotland were today aiming to avoid the RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon in their clash with Italy at Murrayfield.

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 claimed their first RBS 6 Nations victory over France at the 12th attempt with a sensational 22-21 upset in Rome this afternoon.

SAM WARBURTON believes Wales are turning around their RBS 6 Nations campaign after the “doom and gloom” of an opening day defeat against Grand Slam-chasing England.

Clermont Auvergne 28 Racing Metro 17

JOE SCHMIDT’S European euphoria was dampened last night by confirmation that Leinster will travel to Saturday’s clash against Saracens at Wembley without hamstrung Brian O’Driscoll.

MARTIN JOHNSON admitted he was relieved to escape Rome with a victory after watching England battle to an unconvincing win against Nick Mallett’s Italy yesterday at the Stadio Flaminio.

Italy will be boosted by the return of Andrea Masi for Saturday´s RBS 6 Nations encounter against France.

Italy will be boosted by the return of lock Marco Bortolami and centre Andrea Marcato for their RBS Six Nations game in Scotland on February 28, but will be without Andrea Masi after the full-back received a three-week ban today.

Italy full-back Andrea Masi has been handed a three-week ban for a dangerous tackle on Ireland’s Robert Kearney last Sunday.

Italy's Andrea Masi is facing a disciplinary hearing today after being cited for a dangerous tackle on Ireland's Rob Kearney on Sunday.

Italian full-back Andrea Masi has been cited for a dangerous tackle on Ireland's Robert Kearney by the independent Six Nations citing commissioner.

ON a cold day in Rome, Ireland turned the heat up on the RBS Six Nations title challengers and hit the top of the table on point difference from Wales, the reigning champions.

Italy 9 Ireland 38