British and Irish Lions

Italy start their RBS 6 Nations campaign on February 15 against world champions England and Kiwi Kirwan is pleased with the progress his players, particularly the newcomers to the senior set-up, have made.

Kirwan singled out Parma fly-half Roland de Marigny, who joins hooker Giorgio Intoppa, loose-forward Roberto Mandelli, and scrum-halves Simon Picone, Pietro Travagli and Paul Griffen as the uncapped members of the squad.

"I'm satisfied with what I saw," said Kirwan. "I supervised the group and I saw lots of enthusiasm.

"Roland De Marigny, for example, is a serious professional. He has come to us with a great enthusiasm and now he must keep that going."

Qantas Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans says Quade Cooper could still line up against the Lions despite missing out on his 25-man squad this morning.

The Waratahs upset the odds by beating Super Rugby leaders the Brumbies 28-22, but the game came at a huge cost to Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.