British and Irish Lions

The Gran Parma star - capped 32 times by the Azzurri - broke his left leg in club action and has been ruled out of action for at least three months.

John Kirwan's Italy side start their RBS 6 Nations campaign against world champions England on February 15 in Rome.

"I'm very sad to not be part of the Italian national team, especially as I was in exceptional form," he told www.federugby.it, the FIR official website.

"I have waited for this opportunity for a long time and I believe I was very close to making the team. It is a big blow."

Sam Warburton says he is 'absolutely delighted' after being chosen to lead The British & Irish Lions in Saturday's first Test match against the Qantas Wallabies.

British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland admits he and his assistants faced some tough selection calls when picking the side to face the Qantas Wallabies in Saturday's first Test.

Less than four kilometres away from the Suncorp Stadium, venue for the opening Test between the British & Irish Lions and Qantas Wallabies on Saturday, lies the grave of the man who took the starring role in the first international between the two teams in 1899.