Ah, France. A rugby cliche-magnet, if ever there was one.

No room at the top — touch of farce as France load up on off-field leaders after a disappointing Six Nations. But who is really in charge, asks James Harrington

Toulouse face a ‘mountainous’ challenge against the premier club side in Europe when they face Leinster in the semi-final of the Champions Cup, according to double World Cup-winning All Black Jerome Kaino.

Toulouse joint-coach Regis Sonnes said that the manner in which they came from behind to oust Clermont Auvergne 47-44 in a 10-try thriller at Le Stadium sets them up perfectly for a crack at Leinster next weekend.

Peter Jackson gets over the gain line, behind the headline...

Leinster fans - for one match at least - may not agree, but one of the great joys of European rugby this season has been the resurgence of Toulouse as a major force.

Leo Cullen has warned that Leinster face a stiff challenge from a familiar foe when they travel to fellow European blue bloods Toulouse for the second round of the Heineken Champions Cup next weekend.

Leinster - 15 Racing 92 - 12

For all the unpredictably that comes with a Six Nations trip to Paris, there will be certain lessons learned over the past two championships that should put Ireland in control of their destiny when they face a France side under new management.

Ireland trio will face Six Nations baptism of fire

France coach Jacques Brunel laid out his vision of the future yesterday in handing a test debut to a teenage fly-half and including just one player over the age of 30.

The psychology of sport is based on preparing better, believing you are better, and being better than the opposition. And at the elite level, possessing a ruthless, clinical instinct to drive home that superiority.

As a Munster man, Peter O’Mahony knows all about adapting to new coaches, and the Ireland flanker believes a change in management will do France no harm at all in Paris this weekend.

As a Munster man, Peter O’Mahony knows all about adapting to new coaches, and the Ireland flanker believes a change in management will do France no harm at all in Paris this weekend.

We were barely beyond the final rounds of the Champions Cup before the mind games — with Eddie Jones as always to the fore — at the Six Nations launch in London last week reminded us that the main course is about to land in our laps pretty soon, writes Donal Lenihan.

Ireland must expect the unexpected, he has warned.

Joe Schmidt will head into his fifth Six Nations championship as Ireland head coach admitting he has not looked past Saturday’s opening showdown in Paris.

Racing’s vast resources are best illustrated by the options available to their management in the second row alone compared to Johann van Graan, writes Donal Lenihan.

Ireland’s record in Paris means the squad will be on its guard when they travel there next month, but Sean O’Brien has no qualms about admitting that Joe Schmidt’s side should be winning in the Stade de France if they are to be the team they aspire to be.

Your lunchtime news bulletin.

New Zealand apart, the order of world rugby is changing rapidly, says Donal Lenihan

Peter Jackson gives his progress report on the best and worst teams, players and moments of the Autumn Internationals.

France have named inexperienced half-back duo Anthony Belleau and Antoine Dupont in the starting XV to face New Zealand tomorrow.

Brian O’Driscoll has cast doubt on Rassie Erasmus’s claim that his departure from Munster will be a ‘seamless’ one.

Bernard Jackman could give you any number of reasons as to why he accepted the offer to coach the Newport Gwent Dragons.

South Africa’s revival in 2017 has been built on their intensity in defence and vigour at the breakdown, which was on display again in the dominant 35-12 victory over France at Ellis Park on Saturday that saw them sweep the home series 3-0.

Ireland’s Six Nations title ambitions were crushed in Cardiff last night as Wales found redemption for consecutive losses with a passionate power play.

After the arm-wrestle, grind and brutality of last year’s 10-9 defeat in Paris, Ireland know the only way to avenge that loss to France is to roll up their sleeves and prepare for another intensely physical game of inches in Dublin this evening.

ONE scintilla of over-confidence and Ireland get undone at the Aviva tomorrow. One whiff of arrogance, that’s all it would take. There shouldn’t be, and I expect there won’t be. Because if the French bring their A game, I think they will win in Dublin.

France have called up Stade Français back-row Raphael Lakafia to replace Damien Chouly ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Ireland.

First, there is no defection. Regis Sonnes, recently appointed Rugby Director with Bandon RFC and a highly-rated coach with Bandon Grammar School, is going nowhere.

France won’t win next year’s Six Nations championship for the very reason Joe Schmidt’s Ireland just might: discipline, writes Ronan O’Gara.

France 21 England 31: George Ford insists England’s Grand Slam triumph is merely the beginning for a team blessed with “endless potential”.

Wales boss Warren Gatland has underlined the degree of difficulty that teams face in present-day test match rugby when it comes to trying to break down opposition defences.