Aironi coach Franco Bernini has named a near full strength side for his side’s first ever Heineken Cup game against Ulster on Friday night, although Captain Quintin Geldenhuys will be missing for the visitors.

LEE BYRNE has revealed he feared the selection axe for Wales’ successful Italian job after his yellow card calamity at Croke Park.

Wales 33 Italy 10

Italy fly-half Craig Gower believes his side are moving in the right direction, even though they could yet end up with the RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon.

WALES out-half Stephen Jones has welcomed the return of skipper Ryan Jones, prop Gethin Jenkins and scrum-half Mike Phillips from injury for his side’s clash with Italy tomorrow in Cardiff.

France 46 Italy 20

ITALY coach Nick Mallett believes his team’s triumph over Scotland was a just reward for the hard work done by his squad in the last six months.

Italy coach Nick Mallett believes his team’s triumph over Scotland was a just reward for the hard work done by his squad in the last six months.

Italy 16 Scotland 12

Italy coach Nick Mallett has made no changes to the starting XV that lost their last RBS 6 Nations match to England for the game against Scotland in Rome on Saturday.

RICHIE REES could have been excused a double-take as he prepared to embark on the biggest week of his rugby life.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has named lock Carlo Antonio Del Fava in his 24-man squad for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland in Rome.

Carlo Antonio Del Fava is the surprise inclusion in Italy’s 30-man squad to face Scotland in their next RBS 6 Nations clash.

LEICESTER tight-head prop Dan Cole has admitted the prospect of anchoring the England pack in a full international was not even on his radar at the start of this season.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has been forced to make two changes to his 24-man squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations match against England in Rome on Sunday.

Leicester 47 Viadana 8

Italy coach Nick Mallett has made no changes to the starting XV that lost to Wales for Saturday’s final RBS 6 Nations game against France.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has dropped six players from his squad to face France in their final RBS 6 Nations game in Rome at the weekend.

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 will be boosted by the return of lock Marco Bortolami and centre Andrea Marcato for their RBS Six Nations game against Scotland in Edinburgh on February 28.

STEVE BORTHWICK yesterday reflected on the pain of leading England through a dismal autumn campaign — and demanded his side “put the record straight” in the RBS 6 Nations.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has handed Mauro Bergamasco the number nine role for Saturday´s RBS 6 Nations opener against England at Twickenham.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has named uncapped Jacobus Erasmus in his 22-man squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations game against France in Paris on March 9.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has been forced to make several changes to his team to face Wales in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship encounter in Cardiff.

JONNY WILKINSON has avoided the axe for England’s RBS Six Nations Championship clash against Italy in Rome on Sunday. The Newcastle out-half retains his place, despite producing a poor performance when England slumped 26-19 at home to Wales in their tournament opener.

Italy coach Nick Mallett believes the Azzurri will have to significantly raise their game when they meet England in the RBS 6 Nations Championship this weekend.

THE ROAD to redemption is longer and littered with more potholes than we might have imagined.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has put his faith in experience for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations opener with Ireland at Croke Park.

Alessandro Troncon will earn his 100th Test cap when he lines up for Italy against Portugal in the World Cup Pool C match at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

Wasps 19 Castres 13

Italy crushed Russia 67-7 in Moscow today to make certain of their place at the 2007 World Cup.

Italy 10 Scotland 13

Wales 18 Italy 18

Italy rugby chief Giancarlo Dondi has demanded the Azzurri “battle to the death” when they take on Wales in their next RBS 6 Nations Championship outing as they go in search of a first win in this year's competition.

Ireland 26 Italy 16

Ireland 26 Italy 16

Italy coach Pierre Berbizier has dropped Andrea Lo Cicero in favour of Fabio Ongaro in his team for the RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland.