The transfer of Ireland out-half Johnny Sexton to Racing Metro has acquainted Irish fans of the oval ball with a fact of life: A new breed of owner now holds sway in French rugby and they will allow little to get in their way.

AS the Rolex Fastnet Race fleet breathed a collective sigh of relief that a tragedy was averted in the Rambler 100 capsize incident, progress continued unabated in the 608-mile race that started on Sunday.

The top three executives at France's Caisse d'Epargne have resigned under pressure from the government after the bank lost €600m trading derivatives amid the worldwide stock market collapse earlier this month.