AUSTRALIA coach John Connolly was mightily relieved to see his side avoid a major upset against a spirited Italy in the second of their four-game European tour.

Everton full-back Tony Hibbert will miss the start of the Barclays Premiership season after being struck down with a rare illness.

THREE gruelling battles in consecutive weeks took their toll as Ireland capitulated to a stronger Australian side at Subiaco Oval, Perth, on Saturday.

IF your name is Eddie and you fancy being an international rugby coach, this might not be the best time to apply.

ON SUNDAY, six months to the day after his last game in charge of Munster, Alan Gaffney returned to Irish shores.

James Beattie’s latest injury setback is not as bad as first thought and he could be fit to play in Everton’s next match at Spurs on Saturday week.

England coach Andy Robinson has named an unchanged team for Saturday’s World Cup final rematch against Australia at Twickenham.

Australia must count the cost of their pyrrhic victory over Scotland as they approach next weekend's Twickenham date with England nursing a long injury list.

Scotland 14 Australia 31

Vodacom Tri-Nations Series

Australia 30 South Africa 26

Vodacom Tri-Nations Series Australia v South Africa

This morning's Tri Nations clash between Australia and new Zealand is being refereed by Irishman Alain Rolland.

Australia 51 England 15

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Tyrone Howe has scored in the corner for a try for Ireland after six minutes of play.

International rugby latest:

International rugby latest:

Scotland were looking to end their Australasian tour and a 16-Test international season with an unlikely victory over the Wallabies at Sydney’s Telstra Stadium.

Scotland will have to brace themselves for the return of Stirling Mortlock and Phil Waugh to the Australia side after Eddie Jones today named his starting line-up for Saturday’s second Test in Sydney.

Australia 35 Scotland 15

Scotland will face a new-look Australia side in Sunday’s first Test after Wallabies coach Eddie Jones awarded Clyde Rathbone and Radike Samo their international debuts.

Ireland and Everton midfielder Kevin Kilbane has had a successful operation to cure the ankle problem that forced him to miss the end of last season.

Everton do not expect Wayne Rooney to be well enough to join up with England when the squad assembles tomorrow for Sunday’s friendly with Denmark.

Richard Wright will almost certainly miss the start of the new season after seriously damaging his shoulder when he fell out of a loft.