Hape joins London Irish

After signing a two-year deal with London Irish,England centre Shontayne Hape announced that he will leave the Bath at the end of the season.

After making quick progress in union which has seen him win a regular place in England's starting line-up had now signed contract with Irish.

In the Six Nations on Saturday,the 29-year-old is expected to play for England having earned eight previous international caps.

London Irish coach Toby Booth said: "He is physically very intimidating and his ability to offload out of the tackle will trouble any defence."

"We have a lot of young talent coming through the club and the experience that Shontayne brings will also help them to develop further."

Hape represented New Zealand at rugby league and spent six seasons with the Bradford Bulls before joining Bath in 2008 on a three-year deal.

Stephen Ferris Discard of Scotland Six Nations game

In Ireland's Six Nations game against Scotland,Stephen Ferris has been discard and his inclusion for remaining matches are also ambiguous.

A knee injury problem is still on with the Ulster flanker and will miss the game at Murrayfield next Sunday after undergoing another scan on the problem.

To check his fitness Ferris will undergo a further scan next Friday.On the reports it will be then consider whether to include him in squad or not.

Ospreys winger Tommy Bowe chances are opened as he seems to be perfect to face the Scots.

Bowe has resumed training and was included in the Ospreys panel for the Magners League game against Treviso.

Ireland will face Scotland on 27 February, followed by a trip to Wales on 12 March and a home match against England on 19 March.

England vs Italy Six Nations hottest news

England had a great start to their Six Nations campaign at the Millennium arena last week when beating Wales, while Martin Johnson has been at pains to warn against satisfaction at Twickenham on Saturday.

By rights, this should be a contented match for England after their win in Cardiff, although Italy have got a strong forward pack and ran Ireland tremendously close in Rome last weekend before narrowly losing.

Johnson said: “If Italy come and play their best game and they are tough and their defence is strong, we will be in a game into the last quarter like we were last week. “I have no doubts about that. They don’t grant a lot of points, they are difficult at the breakdown. We are under no illusions.”

Six Nations: Ireland edge out Italy

To avoid a first defeat by Italy in the RBS 6 Nations,Ireland needed a late drop-goal from Ronan O'Gara.

In the 76th minute through a try from Luke McLean,The Azzurri crept 11-10 ahead , and one of the championship's greatest upsets looked likely.

It was a upset start to the campaign for a side hoping to be in the title mix, but there was nothing on show at the Stadio Flaminio to suggest they can win the Six Nations.

Brian O'Driscoll crossed in the 44th minute while Jonathan Sexton kicked five points, but it was otherwise a torrid afternoon for the 2009 champions.

Ireland were missing 12 Test players to injury, among them Jamie Heaslip and Tommy Bowe, yet still fielded a side averaging 35 caps per player.