Italy

England have promoted Courtney Lawes, Mako Vunipola and Ben Youngs to their starting XV for Sunday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy in Rome.

Italy have called Robert Barbieri and the uncapped Andrea Buondonno into their squad as injury cover ahead of Sunday's RBS 6 Nations match against England.

Sale Sharks number eight Josh Beaumont and Gloucester flanker Matt Kvesic have been retained as part of England's training squad ahead of their visit to Italy on Sunday.

A late Jules Plisson penalty spared France and new head coach Guy Noves an early embarrassment as France rebounded from an eight-point deficit to beat Italy 23-21 in the opening match of the RBS 6 Nations.

Italy will aim to kick-start a new era in earnest after fielding four debutants for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with France in Paris.

The U20 Six Nations is a tournament growing in popularity and offers plenty for fans to watch out for while its senior counterpart also takes place.

The Rugby World Cup may have ended in misery for the European nations but the Six Nations is finally here and, thankfully, it can’t be won by a southern hemisphere nation.

Alexandre Dumoulin is a doubt for France's RBS 6 Nations opener against Italy next week after the centre was told to rest his left knee.

Kelly Haimona has returned from injury in time to be selected for Italy's 2016 RBS Six Nations squad, with the squad also featuring ten new and uncapped players.

Zebre climbed out of the bottom two of the Guinness PRO12 standings for the first time this season with an 18-8 victory over their Italian rivals Benetton Treviso at the Stadio Monigo on Sunday.

Italy's Rugby World Cup ended on a high as they survived a late rally from Romania to win their Pool D clash at Exeter's Sandy Park.

The battle for automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup boils down to the tale of two missing number eights for Italy and Romania.

Peter O'Mahony's desperate try-saving tackle on Josh Furno spared Ireland's blushes in a 16-9 victory over Italy, as Joe Schmidt's men qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals.

Ireland expect to be "battered up front and pushed to the limit" by Italy in Sunday's crucial World Cup encounter at London's Olympic Stadium.

World Rugby should be congratulated on the tournament thus far and the quality of rugby so called Tier 2 nations have produced.

France began their World Cup in an efficient manner and showed glimpses that they can be a serious threat at this year’s tournament after a 32-10 victory over Italy.

Although he will be absent for their World Cup opener against France, Italy's Sergio Parisse is key to their chances of pulling off an upset, according to former England and Lions wing Ugo Monye.

Samuela Vunisa will draw World Cup inspiration from replacing "hero" and injured Italy captain Sergio Parisse for Saturday's Twickenham clash with France.

Italy centre Luca Morisi has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup because of a torn ligament in his right knee.

Italy talisman Sergio Parisse faces a World Cup fitness fight after having fluid drained from his left leg.