PARIS - Jamie Heaslip admitted Ireland were left with the bitter taste of defeat despite drawing yesterday's RBS 6 Nations clash with France 17-17.
The Irish squandered a 17-6 interval lead, inspired by two tries from winger Tommy Bowe, as Les Bleus struck back in the second half with a try...

DUBLIN - Ulster hooker Rory Best believes Ireland must impose their will on France if they are to have any chance of recording a rare successful visit to Paris.
Only victory in Sunday's rescheduled RBS 6 Nations clash at the Stade de France will be sufficient to keep Irish title hopes...

LONDON - Ben Foden believes England can beat Wales at Twickenham in Saturday's "crunch" showdown and go on to defend their RBS 6 Nations title.
England opened their campaign with away wins against Scotland and Italy but a victory over Wales would send a message about what Stuart Lancaster's...

LONDON - Manu Tuilagi will return to full training with England today hoping that he can persuade Stuart Lancaster that he is the answer to unlocking a fierce Welsh back line that will provide the interim head coach with literally the biggest test of his reign so far.
Lancaster has so far...

ROME - England wing David Strettle embodies the inspirational truth behind the quote from legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi: "It's not whether you get knocked down but whether you get up".
Strettle was floored when Martin Johnson left him out of England's 2011 World Cup squad...

LONDON - Saracens lock Mouritz Botha has warned his England team-mates not to take Italy lightly as they bid to build on their opening RBS 6 Nations win over Scotland.
England secured a 13-6 win at Murrayfield but Botha knows that will count for little if they slip up in the Stadio...

EDINBURGH - Scotland fly-half Dan Parks has retired from international rugby with immediate effect, the Scottish Rugby Union have announced.
The 33-year-old made his 67th Test appearance in last Saturday's opening RBS 6 Nations loss to England and was culpable for the decisive try as Charlie...

LONDON - England second row Tom Palmer insists leading Italy brings out the best in Stade Francais team-mate Sergio Parisse.
England travel to Rome on Saturday for the second round of an RBS 6 Nations campaign that opened with a 13-6 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.
Spearheading...

EDINBURGH - England began the defence of their Six Nations title by beating Scotland 13-6 for a first win at Murrayfield in four attempts on Saturday to begin Stuart Lancaster's "new era" on a high.
England, with three uncapped starters and another four making their debuts from the bench,...

DUBLIN - All eyes will be on Brian O'Driscoll's replacement at outside centre when Ireland name their team for the RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales on Wednesday.
O'Driscoll has been ruled out of the entire championship after undergoing shoulder surgery, leaving a void in the position he has...