The cold snap continued to bite in the UK this afternoon as a raft of sporting fixtures fell prey to the sub-zero conditions sweeping the country.

FRANCE’S first choice scrum-half Julien Dupuy has been ruled out of the RBS 6 Nations Championship after receiving a six-month ban for eye-gouging.

SHANE JENNINGS’ eyes zero in on the carpet beneath his feet, a barely audible sigh betraying his displeasure at having to answer a question he must have known was coming.