Six Nations 2019: all you need to know before the penultimate round

Ireland face a rejuvenated French side at the Aviva on Sunday as Wales head to Murrayfield and England host Italy

Gerry Thornley: World League proposal has more holes than a soup strainer

World Rugby has managed to antagonise all the stake-holders in the game that matter

Ireland look for cohesion and continuity in Rome

Joe Schmidt looking for an improved overall performance against plucky Italians

Six Nations: Italy v Ireland - Italy player profiles

Patrick Madden profiles Conor O’Shea’s starting XV for the Rome game

Liam Toland: Ireland must change game plan to ensure World Cup success

Six Nations has shown opposition teams understand our game plan

Henderson, Farrell and Beirne all available for Ireland in Rome

Robbie Henshaw also set to return after signing three-year contract extension

Italy captain Sergio Parisse to miss Ireland Test with concussion

Number eight suffered a head injury playing for Stade Francais against Lyon in Top 14

Kinghorn runs in hat-trick as Scotland grab bonus point

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

Scotland coach Townsend backs Sam Johnson to shine on debut

Kerr and Graham in line for potential debuts in Six Nations opener against Italy

Ian McKinley in line to play against Ireland in Chicago

Former Leinster outhalf named on bench for game at Soldier Field

Robbie Henshaw may return for Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final

Centre injured in Six Nations close to being fit enough for Scarlets encounter, says Cullen

Greig Laidlaw’s late penalty helps cure Scotland’s travel sickness

Tomasso Allan’s two tries not enough as Italy let victory chance slip in Rome

George North seals bonus-point win for Wales against Italy

Azzurri on course for the Wooden Spoon while Wales could finish in second place

Brunel praises Bastereaud as he changes backline for Italy clash

‘It seems like he has reached a new dimension since he was named captain at Toulon’

Gerry Thornley: This new Italy team won't be built in a day

Bradley and Aboud also playing key roles in the restoration of Azzurri rugby

Liam Toland: Struggle to identify precious space still an issue for Ireland

Conan’s contribution to Earls’ try an example of how to identify possibilities

Joe Schmidt happy he has Ireland right where he wants them

Table leaders have momentum but injuries a real concern in advance of Wales game

Ireland's Italian job follows a well-worn script

Restorative outing for Ireland’s attack as tries mount up against outclassed visitors

Robbie Henshaw’s injury takes the gloss off Ireland’s Italy romp

The curse of the number 13 jersey continues as Joe Schmidt loses his defensive lynchpin

Conor O’Shea and Sergio Parisse both back Ireland for Six Nations

Azzurri captain: ‘I think Ireland play much better rugby than England for me’

Jack Conan eager to grab his biggest opportunity yet

Leinster stalwart looking forward to locking horns with revered Italian No 8 Sergio Parisse

Ireland must be patient in the face of increased expectancy

Superior armoury at Schmidt’s disposal should become evident as game evolves

Conor O’Shea makes ‘difficult decision’ to omit Ian McKinley

'This setback will only steel him to put more pressure on the guys ahead of him'

Conor O’Shea: Ian McKinley ‘a rugby player, not a romantic story’

Outhalf missed out on selection for Italy’s Six Nations trip to play Ireland in native Dublin

Conor O’Shea undaunted by the scale of the Italian job

Head coach remains positive despite Italy’s current low place in the pecking order

Ian McKinley in line to make Italy debut against Fiji

Outhalf named among replacements by Conor O’Shea for game in Sicily

Stade Français lift Challenge Cup after win over Gloucester

Connacht will now play Northampton Saints in Champions Cup play-off on May 20th

Stuart Hogg wins Six Nations player of the year

Two in a row for Scotland fullback, CJ Stander second with Conor Murray sixth

Stade Francais players go on strike over merger with Racing 92

France’s Six Nations’ players left reeling by news they first thought was a prank

France finally run clear of Italy in second half

Les Bleus secure bonus-point win in Rome to consign Italy to wooden spoon

Gerry Thornley: Hats off to Conor O’Shea for outfoxing Eddie Jones

Incidents at Twickenham and Aviva show how interpretation of law differs among referees

England forced to dig deep before breaking defiant Italy late on

Conor O’Shea’s side took half-time lead at Twickenham before being pegged back

Italy’s Sergio Parisse aware of the size of Ireland challenge

‘Personally I think Ireland are better than Wales, so it’s going to be extremely difficult’

Ireland v Italy: Rome offers chance for redemption

Joe Schmidt calls up Donnacha Ryan and Cian Healy to starting XV for Italy test

Sexton to miss Italy match with Donnacha Ryan set for recall

Ryan to come in to Ireland secondrow while Peter O’Mahony will not be risked

Conor O’Shea wants Italy to be refereed on ‘level playing field’

Captain Sergio Parisse on course to be fit to play in Six Nations clash with Ireland

Italy aim to steer clear of Devin Toner in Rome

Azzurri lock George Biagi knows all about threat from Leinster star

Sergio Parisse facing fitness battle ahead of Ireland clash

Italy talisman underwent MRI scan on Sunday following Six Nations defeat to Wales

Patient Wales move through the gears to ease past Italy

Leigh Halfpenny’s boot and three late scores end Azzurri resistance at Stadio Olimpico

Six Nations team by team guide: Italy

Conor O’Shea’s squad have a puncher’s chance in their three home games

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