The trip to Paris is the litmus test for Gregor Townsend's side's credentials.  

From quite some way back, the French management and squad has been targeting the second round of the Six Nations. Their eye might not have been totally on Italy. But it will be on Ireland

As a country that has perennially got its RWC cycles wrong, a poor Six Nations will rankle and seep deeper into the consciousness in Ireland than it would the other five nations.

I wasn’t born but that moment shaped so much of what I later became.

Joey Carbery needs to find a mirror, talk to it and listen to the reply.

A connection with the supporters was key to success at Thomond Park and the reason I demanded more from La Rochelle's fans and ourselves. 

'I play scenarios through in my head but retain the capacity or strength of character and self-belief to back my judgement in the moment. No matter how good you think you are, if you are not honest or authentic, the boys will see straight through it'

A second successive Champions Cup defeat can turn January sour. This is when pressure makes an unwelcome appearance in thought and deed, in what we do and decide not to do. In how we discard trusted routine.

I’m involved in this wonderful game for over twenty-five years as a professional and I’ve never disrespected it. I don’t pretend to understand how a ten-week ban was arrived at but how dare they accuse me of damaging the best interests of the game.

When you are as happy personally and professionally as I am in La Rochelle, it would take something quite remarkable to change course from remaining here for another few seasons.