Michael Bradley spent most of his seven years at the Sportsground not just wondering if he would be in a job at the end of the season, but rather whether the Connacht team he was coaching would still be in existence.

Connacht coach Andy Friend said he is relieved they are still in control of their own destiny after escaping from Parma with a 6-5 win in a bruising encounter on Saturday evening.

Connacht consolidated third place in Conference A of the Guinness PRO14 with a hard-fought 6-5 win over Zebre in Parma.

Connacht’s play-off drive in the PRO14 has been handed a big boost with the return of out-half Jack Carty to training in time for this weekend’s clash with Zebre following an arm injury.

Munster return to Thomond Park tonight in search of the performance that will get them back to winning ways, but with boss Johann van Graan reminding them they cannot afford to assume Zebre will present them with the opportunity to do so.

Ireland Women’s head coach Adam Griggs has kept changes at a minimum for their Six Nations Championship showdown with Italy at Viale Piacenza in Parma on Saturday (kick-off 6.45pm, Irish time).

Adam Griggs has made one change to the Ireland team ahead of their Women's Six Nations match away to Italy.

Ireland women’s assistant coach Jeff Carter has confirmed loosehead prop Lindsay Peat will be available for their latest Six Nations assignment against Italy on Saturday.

THOUGH a saltwater baby, half my childhood seemingly passed in the sea playing Man From Atlantis (ask anyone with receding hair and expanding belly), with age I am infinitely more reticent in my dealings with the cold, cold Atlantic, inching in toe by toe — and that’s while wearing a wetsuit. And so it is with January, these days, I ‘inch into it’, toe by toe.

The colour, scent and texture of the right beauty product can cheer you up like a chat with a friend, or act as a pick-me-up on a dreary Monday morning, says Rachel Marie Walsh.

Zebre 24 Connacht 10: Michael Bradley knows all about building from the bottom in professional rugby — his seven years at the Sportsground took Connacht through the most difficult period in their history — and he is happy with the progress he is making in his first few months with Zebre. 

Connacht coach Kieran Keane says a resurgent Zebre will pose a huge threat in Parma this afternoon as his side aim to bounce back to winning ways before refocusing next week to the European Challenge Cup campaign.

Connacht prop Denis Buckley knows the westerners will need a massive improvement to avoid a second defeat in a row away to Zebre in Parma tomorrow.

Connacht coach Kieran Keane says recent Ireland debutant Bundee Aki could be held in reserve over the coming weeks despite an impressive November campaign for Joe Schmidt’s side.

New Munster head coach Johann van Graan has pledged to do everything he can to persuade Peter O'Mahony his future lies in his native province, despite reports linking the club captain with a move away from Ireland.

Munster centre Rory Scannell is aiming to ‘put his hand up’ for the Six Nations squad after failing to find a place in Joe Schmidt’s selections for the November Internationals.

Billy Holland laughs heartily at suggestions he might be approaching the veteran stage of a long and distinguished career.

Mafia 'boss of bosses' Salvatore 'Toto' Riina has died while serving multiple life sentences, according to Italian media.

Ulster recorded their third consecutive bonus-point Guinness PRO12 win as they overcame a battling Zebre side 40-17 at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma.

Where to eat, sleep and drive Ferraris in Italy’s of-the-moment culinary capital, Modena. Nikki Elstein has the insie tips you need to know before you travel.

A lot has happened on and off the field since Connacht’s match against Zebre in Parma was called off at half-time last month when a storm struck.

Fresh from his game-winning heroics against Toulouse, Connacht centre Craig Ronaldson is targeting a repeat result against Zebre this weekend. 

Zebre may be competing in the top tier of European club rugby this season but even if they beat Connacht this weekend to record their first victory in the Champions Cup, their heroics will go largely unnoticed in their home town of Parma.

Connacht captain John Muldoon says the maturity his side has shown in recent games needs to be repeated when they return to Parma at the weekend to take on Zebre in the Champions Cup.

Glasgow were made to sweat by Zebre for a 33-28 Guinness PRO12 win in Parma.

Connacht captain John Muldoon said that the province must take the abandonment of their Guinness PRO12 clash with Zebre in their stride and concentrate on the next match, a trip to Llanelli next weekend where they bid to secure their first win of the campaign.

Connacht's game at the Lanfranchi Stadium against Zebre has been called off because of thunderstorms.

Italian mafia boss Bernardo Provenzano, one of the most notorious crime figures of his time, has died in a Milan hospital at the age of 83.

with high stakes in every game and tension etched across head coaches’ brows from Galway to Parma ahead of today’s 22nd and final round of the Guinness Pro12 league campaign, you would wonder why the men in suits had to be dragged kicking and screaming into a brave new word of meritocracy.

THE king of Italian cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano is also known as Parmesan, which it was called until 1951 when a small number of artisan producers worked to protect their product.

Zebre 17 Ulster 47: Ireland wing, Tommy Bowe, made a try-scoring return, as Ulster boosted their hopes of a Guinness PRO12 play-off place, with a 47-17 victory over Zebre.

Ireland wing Tommy Bowe made a try-scoring return as Ulster boosted their hopes of a Guinness PRO12 play-off place with a 47-17 victory over Zebre.

Zebre 34 Connacht 51: Connacht are preparing to step it up as their season becomes considerably tougher with the visit of the Ospreys next up in the Galway Sportsground.