Mallett hired as new boss of Italy

Nick Mallett has been confirmed as the new head coach of Italy.

The ex-South Africa coach succeeds former France scrum-half Pierre Berbizier, who left the job after the Azzurri’s World Cup exit on Sunday.

Italy were thwarted in their attempts to reach the quarter-finals in France when they went down 18-16 to Scotland in their last group game.

Mallett, 50, had been linked with the Wales post but indicated he would not be interested in the position.