You’ll know him as a full-back, but Luke McLean started life in Italian blue as a ten. The temptation is to ask, who hasn’t?

Despite the gale-force winds that lashed the Irish coast and wreaked havoc for the aviation industry, flight FR 1548 from Perpignan to Shannon last Saturday night was a great place to be.

Munster head coach Rob Penney has called for action to be taken against Perpignan for what he believes was “undue pressure” placed on Saturday’s referee JP Doyle ahead of the crunch Heineken Cup clash.

Perpignan 17 Munster 18

Munster coach Rob Penney has described his team's performance in the Heineken Cup yesterday as "average but courageous".

Perpignan 17 Munster 18

Italy 9 Wales 26

Scotland 34 Italy 10

Richard Cockerill last night predicted a Heineken Cup “classic” when Leicester and Toulouse go head to head at Welford Road next Sunday.

Toulouse 35 Benetton Treviso 14

Ospreys 41 Treviso 10

Italy coach Jaques Brunel has made six changes to the squad that lost against Wales in Cardiff last weekend for their final RBS Six Nations game against Scotland in Rome on Saturday.

The 20-year-old landed four penalties and a tough conversion, following Charlie Hodgson’s second charge-down try in as many weeks, as England rallied from 15-6 down to claim their second win of the championship.

Italy 15 England 19

Italy coach Jacques Brunel has named four uncapped players in his 30-man squad for the for the first two games of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Treviso 26 Ospreys 26

Italy 27 United States 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.

The captain of Ireland group rivals Italy, Sergio Parisse, saw his side run in nine tries in their 53-17 win against Russia in Nelson today, but has warned them that they must improve defensively.

Italy 53 Russia 17

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.

Scotland 23 Italy 12

Italy coach Nick Mallett has made 11 changes to his starting line-up for Saturday’s World Cup warm-up match against Scotland 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 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 has named a 24-man squad for the first two games of the RBS 6 Nations.

Scarlets 35 Benetton Treviso 27

CONNACHT have made two changes to their starting XV for their first Magners League foray to Italy where they face Benetton Treviso this evening (6.05pm, Irish time).

Benetton Treviso coach Franco Smith has made a host of changes for their Magner’s League tie against Munster at Thomond Park on Friday night.

Perpignan 35 Treviso 14

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.

Ospreys 32 Benetton Treviso 16

AIRONI made their presence felt against Munster on their Magners League debut but Italian compatriots Benetton Treviso went one better as they scored a 34-28 win over the Scarlets.

Benetton Treviso 34 Scarlets 28

ITALY U-20s 23 IRELAND U-20s 29

Italy are hoping grab their last chance to win a game at the ongoing U-18 Six Nations Festival in Cork when they take on the tournament hosts Ireland during the final round of games.

Wales and Italy have named their sides to play each other at the Mardyke this Saturday at 2.30pm in the U-18 Six Nations Festival sponsored by the Bowen Group.