Rugby round-up: Mallett set to lose Italy job

The Italian federation confirmed yesterday that Nick Mallett will cease to be Italy's coach after the World Cup in New Zealand in the autumn. The Perpignan coach Jacques Brunel is expected to take over.

An FIR statement said: "The president of the Italian rugby Federation, Giancarlo Dondi, met coach Nick Mallett today to inform him personally of the decision taken by the federal council regarding his eventual contract extension. The president has thanked the coach for the work done in charge of the national team and for what he will do until the end of his contract. The decision taken by the federal council is not to continue with Nick Mallett after his contract expires."

Mallett, a former South Africa coach who took over from Pierre Berbizier in October 2007, had said that he wanted to continue after the World Cup. The FIR, however, said it believed that "more than four years in charge of the national team may not bring the wanted results".

The Australia wing Drew Mitchell will miss the World Cup, after dislocating his ankle and breaking a bone in his right leg in the New South Wales Waratahs' 19-15 defeat by the Queensland Reds in Brisbane yesterday. The 27-year-old fell awkwardly after running into the back of a Reds forward, Scott Higginbotham.

The Waratahs' captain, Phil Waugh, said: "I think it rattled anyone who saw it. It was disappointing – you don't want to see that happen to anyone in the world in any sport."

In Perth, the Western Force beat the Bulls, from South Africa, 26-21. In New Zealand, the Highlanders beat the Crusaders 26-18.

In the Magners League, Sean O'Brien and Cian Healy scored tries to help Leinster beat Aironi 20-8 in Viadana. Gareth Krause scored for the Italian team. The Dubliners are second, behind Munster, who lost 20-19 away to the Ospreys last night. Alun Wyn Jones (for the Ospreys) and David Wallace (for Munster) scored tries; the Welsh region were also awarded a penalty try.