Then, without any explanation, word suddenly spread that the Georgian army was retreating from Gori.

NPR: Russian Troops Take Key Georgian Town

"We received assurances that Tbilisi will not be attacked, but the same thing was said about the town of Gori, " Lomsadze said.

CNN: War puts Georgian civilians on edge

Dozens of vehicles, including army trucks loaded with soldiers and civilian vehicles with soldiers hanging on to them, fled Gori, racing down the highway.

NPR: Russian Troops Take Key Georgian Town

Italy have named Kristopher Burton at fly-half, and he will line up alongside Benetton Treviso team-mate Edoardo Gori, who wins his third cap at scrum-half.

BBC: Fergus McFadden to win first Ireland cap against Italy

Mr Stubb, who was in the Georgian town of Gori last week, said OSCE observers were now in South Ossetia trying to clarify the situation.

BBC: S Ossetia 'emptied of Georgians'

Fabio Semenzato, brought into the squad after usual number nine Edoardo Gori injured a shoulder in last week's loss to Ireland, will now make his debut.

BBC: Six Nations: Italy's Canavosio to miss England match

Before leaving for Russia for more talks, the French diplomat visited a hospital in Gori, where he was told that drugs were likely to last another few days.

NPR: Russian Troops Take Key Georgian Town

He briefly visited Gori Monday, wearing a camouflage flak jacket.

NPR: Why Georgia-Russia Conflict Is Significant For U.S.

Russian forces have forced most Georgian soldiers to abandon the key central Georgian town of Gori, 50 miles west of the capital, Tbilisi, in the fourth day of fighting in the Caucasus.

NPR: Russian Troops Take Key Georgian Town

Gori is just 20 miles from South Ossetia.

NPR: Why Georgia-Russia Conflict Is Significant For U.S.

Russian warplanes bombed Gori this week.

CNN: War puts Georgian civilians on edge