British and Irish Lions

Italian public television company RAI have performed a U-turn and will now broadcast the RBS 6 Nations match between England and Italy live on Sunday.

RAI 3 intended to show the match at Twickenham, the third Six Nations game of the weekend, nine hours after the fixture had been played, much to the surprise of the Azzurri team.

The decision caused a stir within the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) with calls from the FIR president Giancarlo Dondi, team manager Marco Bollesan, the players and Italian rugby fans for the match to be shown live, causing the RAI to have a change of heart.

"We are satisfied not only for us but for those who appreciate rugby because the national team belongs to everyone," Bollesan told the federation website www.federugby.it.

"We thank the sensibility of those who have taken the decision that this match should be watched live."

RAI had previously shown the previous Six Nations match against Ireland live last weekend but had failed to broadcast live the historic 30-22 win against Wales last month.

The Lions of Leicester and Leinster will bring domestic bragging rights with them to tomorrow's farewell dinner after they helped their respective sides to league titles on Saturday.

Assistant coach Graham Rowntree says The British & Irish Lions will have to be fully focussed to avoid a potential banana skin when they face The Barbarians a week today.