It says a lot about Connacht under Andy Friend that they were disappointed not to claim a bonus-point win over Top 14 outfit Bordeaux-Bègles as both teams tested the extent of their squads. But the coach left his players in no doubt that they have to improve their discipline or risk being dropped.

A humid Saturday morning and clearly it is moving day in Lourdes. Dozens of buses clog the narrow streets of the town in the Pyrenees, hazard lights on as people are wheeled or carried from their hotels, others moving with a pep in their step as if the visit to the Marian shrine has uplifted them.

Connacht supporters won’t get to see Bordeaux-Begles’s world stars Semi Radradra, Brock James, Seta Tamanivalu, or Jean-Baptiste Serin today, as once again the Challenge Cup has failed to ignite French passions.

Munster are set to return to terrestrial airwaves for the first time in 12 years after their Heineken Champions Cup round two clash with Gloucester was chosen for free-to-air broadcast.

Romain Ntamack, son of former French star Emile, led the way as France opened their Six Nations campaign with a win but only after they held off a spirited Irish recovery.

Former Ireland international Joy Neville received the World Rugby Referee of the Year award in Monte Carlo last Sunday after a memorable 2017 which included officiating the Women's Rugby World Cup final and becoming the first woman to take charge of a men's international fixture when Norway hosted Denmark last month.

Exeter Chiefs may be the reigning Aviva Premiership champions but when it comes to Europe they are still looking to make their mark.

Ireland fly-half Ian Madigan is set to sign for Bristol in a big-money switch from Bordeaux-Bègles that looks set to continue the playmaker’s exile from Test rugby.

Ulster finished their disappointing European Champions Cup season in downbeat fashion as Bordeaux-Begles secured a hard-earned but deserved 26-22 victory at the Kingspan Stadium.

Ireland and Lions winger Tommy Bowe will return to the Ulster squad this Saturday when Bordeaux-Begles fly into town for what is a Champions Cup dead rubber. Bowe, who was omitted from last week’s disappointing defeat in Exeter, watched Ulster’s feeble attempt to qualify out of Pool 5 as one of the best runners-up.

Make or break, must win, season-defining – all terms which have been used to describe Ulster’s Champions Cup tie with French giants Clermont Auvergne in Belfast this afternoon.

Ireland international winger Andrew Trimble has been summoned to make his first start of the season when Ulster travel to take on Bordeaux-Begles in their own backyard this Sunday.

Two days, four games, four French opponents.

Ulster are hoping to field their best available team when they travel to France for the Pool 5 Champions Cup opener against Bordeaux-Begles.

Bordeaux-Begles 15, Racing 92 9: Ian Madigan said he has settled in well in Bordeaux after leaving Leinster and is delighted to have made a winning start to his Top 14 career. The 27-year old was the star of the show as Bordeaux-Begles made an opening night win over holders, with Madigan outscoring Dan Carter five penalties to three.

One man’s misfortune is another’s stroke of luck, but Paddy Jackson is going to have to take full advantage of Johnny Sexton’s injury in the most demanding of rugby environments.

Opportunity to play for Ireland and longevity of career are the twin pillars on which Joe Schmidt appeals to his players to remain in the fold rather than follow the money overseas, and it seems Keith Earls and Conor Murray have been eager listeners.

During the glory days, Jonathan Sexton stood tall as the living embodiment of all that was good about Leinster.

Clermont Auvergne overcame a ferocious Ospreys fightback to retain their proud European home record with a bonus-point 34-29 win in Pool Two of the Champions Cup.

Ospreys 25 Exeter 13: Exeter became the first English club to lose in this season’s European Champions Cup after Wales star Dan Biggar led the Ospreys’ Liberty Stadium victory march.

Gloucester 40 Connacht 32 (AET): It had all the hallmarks of past heartbreaks. Connacht, punching above their weight, looked set to close in on the ultimate prize, only to be denied at the bitter end, whether by their own hand, or by questionable refereeing decisions.

In a return to Kingsholm, injury-hit Connacht go head to head with English Premiership side Gloucester for the chance to play Champions Cup rugby next season.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has relegated powerful centre Mathieu Bastareaud to the bench for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales in Paris.

The extent of Jonathan Sexton’s role against Italy on Saturday week will be decided not so much by Joe Schmidt and his brains trust but by the Kiwi’s counterparts at Racing Metro who face French champions Castres this weekend.

The French Rugby Federation is on a collision course with clubs from the Aviva Premiership and Top 14 as the dispute over the future of the Heineken Cup continued to escalate.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse will miss the rest of this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship after being banned for insulting a referee.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse will miss the rest of this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship after being banned for insulting a referee.

Ulster last night became the first side to qualify for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals with a 23-6 victory over Glasgow – and coach Mark Anscombe then challenged his men to secure a home tie.

Harlequins are poised to become this season’s first Heineken Cup quarter-finalists tomorrow - if they can see off the Connacht challenge.

Referees officiating in the Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cup competitions will adhere to the law trials in operation in the Aviva Premiership, the Top 14 and the RaboDirect PRO12 competitions.

WALES international Nicky Robinson contributed 17 points to help London Wasps claim a valuable 25-11 home win over Bayonne in the Amlin Challenge Cup last night.

French prop Julien Brugnaut is struggling to come to terms with the whirlwind change in his career after completing his move to Irish giants Munster.