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

After Round 3 it was celebrations for Ireland as they defeated an England side who were almost unrecognisable to the side that dismantled Wales in Cardiff just a few weeks ago.

Zebre 7 Munster 31: Munster got the result and — for 40 minutes at least — the performance they wanted in Italy which sends them into next Saturday’s vital Champions Cup clash with Saracens.

Zebre 19 Connacht 27

RABODIRECT PRO12

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

Scotland 34 Italy 10

Scarlets, who play Munster next weekend, kept their hopes of a place in the RaboDirect Pro12 play-offs alive with a hard-fought victory over bottom side Aironi in Viadana yesterday.

Andy Robinson started a period of introspection over his future as after Scotland collected the Six Nations wooden spoon.

Italy 13 Scotland 6

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

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

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

EDINBURGH continued their run of impressive form as they racked up seven tries against RaboDirect Pro12 basement side Aironi at Murrayfield.

Cardiff Blues 38 Aironi 0

CLERMONT AUVERGNE picked up their first win of this season’s Heineken Cup in some style as they put Aironi to the sword in a one-sided clash at Stade Marcel Michelin last night.

RONAN O’GARA does not get that many opportunities these days to display his skills at Musgrave Park, but he treated the crowd of almost 7,000 last night to a superb display of kicking in appalling conditions.

BIARRITZ gained revenge over Aironi Rugby last night with a convincing Heineken Cup victory in their return Pool 4 match at Parc des Sports Aguilera.

IRELAND could hardly have asked for a better start to their U20 Six Nations campaign as they brushed Italy aside with ease at Dubarry Park in Athlone last night.

Bourgoin 30 Leinster 28