France prop Nicolas Mas admits a weight has been lifted off his shoulders after his Perpignan side picked up a vital win at home to Biarritz last Friday.

Second-row Geoff Parling seems to be in line for a first England start after Tom Palmer was dropped from Saturday's match-day squad with assistant coach Graham Rowntree admitting he's not been happy with his side's lineout.

Declan Kidney is adamant Ireland will be taken right to the wire by Italy on Saturday - just like the last RBS 6 Nations meeting between the two over a year ago.

Italy manager Luigi Troiani has warned his players they will have to take advantage of any Irish errors when the two meet in their RBS 6 Nations clash at Dublin on Saturday.

Alun Wyn Jones has admitted his sympathy for namesake Ryan, who has been dropped to the bench for Wales' RBS 6 Nations clash with England on Saturday, having skippered his side last time out.

Ospreys back row Tom Smith has confirmed that he has signed a two-year deal with London Irish.

Heineken Cup quarter-finalists, Edinburgh Rugby, have eight players in Scotland's starting line-up for Sunday's RBS 6 Nations clash against France at Murrayfield.

Thomas Waldrom, Leicester Tigers' Supporters' Players of the Year in 2010/11 has signed a new contract with the two-time Heineken Cup champions.

It has been confirmed that Munster Rugby Head Coach, Tony McGahan, is to leave the two-time Heineken Cup champions at the end of the season.

Six of the Toulouse side who are likely to face Edinburgh Rugby in the Heineken Cup quarter-final will be in action for France against Scotland on Sunday.