The eve of the championship. Whichever sport is your passion, the coming of a new season is a heady mix of emotions.

Centre Wesley Fofana will earn his first cap for France when they take on Italy in their RBS 6 Nations opener on Saturday.

WHATEVER it takes.

Ireland flanker Shane Jennings believes his team’s Stadio Flaminio escape act in February proves victory over Italy in Sunday’s high-stakes World Cup showdown must not be taken for granted.

ROTORUA was great while it lasted but the smell from the sulphuric geezers is something I am glad to have left behind.

GERT SMAL and Nick Mallett’s careers have been intertwined for more than 30 years and Ireland’s forwards coach knows enough about the Italy boss to suggest his fellow South African will “do anything” to get his way on the rugby pitch.

THERE will be a reunion of sorts when Ireland and Italy’s front rows lock horns on Sunday and Irish scrum coach Greg Feek expects his band of brothers to present a much improved challenge to the one the Azzurri faced in Rome eight months ago.

FOR some time now, the fortunes of the Irish rugby team can be directly aligned to the wellbeing of Munster and Leinster.

GREG FEEK has earned his crust since leaving New Zealand and his post with the Hurricanes by moving to Dublin to find a cure for Leinster — and then Ireland’s — ailing scrums.

THE CLOCK was running down on Martin Johnson’s post-game meeting with the media last Saturday when a last hand went up at the back of the Aviva press room.

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont said he was at a “dead end” following Saturday’s shock defeat by Italy in the Six Nations.

Italy coach Nick Mallett hailed today's momentous RBS 6 Nations win over France as evidence that his team are now a serious force in the world game.

Italy claimed their first RBS 6 Nations victory over France at the 12th attempt with a sensational 22-21 upset in Rome this afternoon.

France were looking for a big win against Italy in Rome to keep alive their hopes of retaining their RBS 6 Nations title.

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.

James Hook will make his second start at fly-half in this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship when Wales face Ireland on Saturday.

SAM WARBURTON believes Wales are turning around their RBS 6 Nations campaign after the “doom and gloom” of an opening day defeat against Grand Slam-chasing England.

Italy 16 Wales 24

ITALY will try to prove to others and themselves that they merit a place in the RBS 6 Nations following their “disastrous” defeat to England a fortnight ago.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has made three changes to his side to face Wales in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match at the Stadio Flaminio.

James Hook will start in his third different position of this year’s RBS 6 Nations Championship when Wales face Italy on Saturday.

WELL, who would have imagined that? Ireland outscore France by three tries to one and walk off the pitch beaten men.

Cian Healy insists Ireland view their confrontation with the feared French scrum as a welcome opportunity to re-establish some pride

Brian O’Driscoll is satisfied with Ireland’s form ahead of tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France.

THIS is where things really get serious for Ireland. Tomorrow’s Six Nations encounter with reigning champions and Grand Slam winners France will not only determine the nature of Irish ambition for the rest of the championship, but give us a glimpse of what should be expected later this year at the Rugby World Cup.

IMAGINE being the footballing full-back who has to spend 90 minutes being tormented by Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo only to learn he then has to mark Barcelona’s Lionel Messi the following week.

LUKE FITZGERALD has long been used to admiring rugby greats and learning from his elders. That comes with the territory when your father happens to be a former international.

France back-row forward Sebastien Chabal insists Les Bleus have taken no comfort from Ireland’s below-par display in Italy last weekend ahead of Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations trip to the Aviva Stadium.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has made four changes to the side that lost their RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland for Saturday’s game against England at Twickenham.

Jamie Heaslip returns to Ireland’s back row for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France at Aviva Stadium.

I COULDN’T help but feel sorry for Italy at the final whistle on Saturday at the Stadio Flaminio, watching as their outstanding captain Sergio Parisse sank to his knees, shattered, heartbroken and drained after yet another heroic performance in defeat.

IRELAND defence coach Les Kiss has applauded the manner in which France returned to winning ways in last weekend’s Six Nations opener after their traumatic 43-points defeat to Australia in November.

WHEN a team plays as dismally as Ireland in Rome, the critics set their sights on the usual victims.

TOMÁS O’LEARY is pretty sure Ireland’s back division can mend their error-strewn ways and be at their clinical best for the visit of Six Nations champions France on Sunday.

Ireland winger Tommy Bowe has been ruled out of contention for Sunday's RBS 6 Nations clash with France.

Ireland will review Saturday’s 13-11 RBS 6 Nations victory over Italy before deciding whether to make a complaint about referee Romain Poite’s handling of the scrum.

RONAN O’GARA had visions of a torrid night in Bordeaux and a narrow escape against Georgia as Italy’s Luke McLean scored the try that edged the Azzurri in front with five minutes to go in Rome.

ITALY coach Nick Mallett blamed his side’s inexperience for blowing the chance of an historic first Six Nations victory over Ireland.

TWO away victories for England and Ireland and a return to winning ways for the French support the pre-tournament view that the winners of this season’s Six Nations will come from one of Ireland, England and the current champions.