Josh Strauss

Italy score three late tries but can’t avoid 18th straight Six Nations defeat

Greig Laidlaw will again skipper the team in the absence of the injured John Barclay

It remains to be seen whether new South African entrants add much to the mix

Principle of player welfare completely ignored by Premiership Rugby’s proposal

Ireland outhalf is in favour of global rugby calendar but not at expense of players

Captain Alun Wyn Jones looks ahead and past devastating defeat to England

Vern Cotter: ‘It’s a huge weekend in the championship, we’re still right in the mix’

Kidney injury forces number eight out of final three games, Greig Laidlaw already out

Les Bleus win arm-wrestle with Vern Cotter’s side after late Camille Lopez penalties

Defensive lapses cost us but no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater

John O’Sullivan rates the victorious Scottish players after their Murrayfield win over Ireland

Second-half fightback falls short as Ireland left with just a losing bonus point

Joe Schmidt’s side has array of dynamic runners with more ballast to come from bench

Hooker Fraser Brown starts in place of centurion Ross Ford for Murrayfield clash

Ireland will come across plenty of familiar faces from Glasgow in Scotland opener

Ireland head coach expecting hugely competitive and compelling tournament