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

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.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has named a 24-man squad for the first two games of the RBS 6 Nations.

Italy 14 Australia 32

Maori winger Joe Maddock will make his debut for Benetton Treviso against Leinster in the Magner's League at Stadio di Monigo on Saturday evening.

Wales 33 Italy 10

Wales introduced their youngest-ever player in 18-year-old wing Tom Prydie for the visit of Italy to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

WALES captain Ryan Jones has backed teenage record-breaker Tom Prydie to seize his moment when he “lives the dream” today.

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.

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.

AS Donncha O’Callaghan chatted with journalists this week, he realised that payback time had arrived for Paul O’Connell’s recent comments on The Late, Late Show.

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.

THE signs of a physical, hard-hitting match against the USA Eagles were visible as Munster went for a mid-morning conditioning session with head of fitness, Paul Derbyshire, on the shores of Lake Michigan yesterday.

MUNSTER RUGBY may not have been born in the USA, but the official final run–in to their new season began in Chicago yesterday.

Fly-half Andrea Scanavacca was the most notable absentee from a 40-man squad named by Italy coach Pierre Berbizier today for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.

Italy 25 Ireland 36

Italy 25 Ireland 36