SPORT: and Italy has joined the European rugby tournament for the first time, obliging the traditional Five Nations championship to change its name.

The first teams to play in the Six Nations competition are Scotland and Italy, who meet for their first game in Rome later today.

Italy played badly in the Rugby World Cup last year -- the team suffered three humiliating defeats early in the competition. . But Italy's coach for the Six Nations Championship, Brad Johnstone, says he is confident the side will go much further in this competition.

Also playing in the competition will be England, Wales, France and Ireland.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service