James Harrington Pool C quarter-final qualification was decided last weekend but, with reports of another Rugby World Cup mutiny in the French camp, it’s easy to forget there’s still one key match to play, assuming it does not fall victim to Typhoon Hagibis.

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

Ronan O'Gara has ruled out joining the French coaching setup for the World Cup.

Fiji — Whatever about the rugby insights in these Irish Examiner columns, you’ve got to award me points for some of the datelines; Fiji being the latest this week.

Former Ireland team manager Michael Kearney has been appointed to the board of European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR).

Joe Schmidt was French Rugby President Bernard Laporte's first choice to be appointed as the new head coach of Les Bleus.

French Rugby president Bernard Laporte has kicked to touch on the possibility of Ronan O'Gara being part of the country's World Cup coaching ticket, insisting it's a call for head coach Jacques Brunel.

Ronan O’Gara has dismissed as premature speculation he is poised to ink a deal with the French Rugby Federation to join their World Cup coaching ticket.

The possibility of Ronan O'Gara being part of France's backroom team for the 2019 World Cup has increased with French Rugby Federation sources in Paris confirmed the Munster and Ireland legend was "under consideration."

Ronan O’Gara has been linked with a role in the French coaching setup for the World Cup.

France international centre Gaël Fickou admits victory over a weakened Scotland has restored “a little confidence” in their under-fire squad, but Sunday’s clash with Ireland in Dublin will be a “step up” in class.

Skipper Rory Best hailed Ulster’s second-half display as they dug in for a vital 24-10 win over Leicester Tigers to kick-start their Heineken Champions Cup campaign.

Police raided the headquarters of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) yesterday as part of an investigation into alleged conflict of interest involving the federation’s president Bernard Laporte, a source close to the matter said.

The cash-rich Top 14 outfit Montpellier, has tabled an astonishing €840,000 a year offer to CJ Stander in a bid to turn his head and dissuade him from signing a new contract with Munster and the IRFU.

Ronan O’Gara doesn’t believe Peter O’Mahony will leave Munster, but warns if the sums don’t stack up at home, maybe the UK is a better option for him.

Is there any particular autumn international I’d buy a ticket for?

The IRFU has doubled down on its doubts over South Africa’s suitability to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with the union continuing to push for answers on aspects of the technical review which last week recommended the Rainbow Nation.

November 15 next is a date that has loomed large on the Irish rugby calendar for some time, yet you won’t find a fixture of any consequence on the day.

It’s part of the gig. Meeting agents. There’s been quite a few in the past two weeks and I’m never sure whether I’m energised or anxious at the amount of money sloshing around in rugby.

There are only a few months left for World Rugby to ponder its options when it comes to the 2023 tournament, writes Michael Moynihan.

Zebre 7 Connacht 52: Two rounds played in the Champions Cup and only three teams in Europe have chalked up two wins. No surprise that Saracens and Clermont Auvergne have begun in such stellar fashion, but Pat Lam’s men are beginning to show that their historic PRO12 win might not be a one-hit wonder.

As Test match debuts go, Virimi Vakatawa’s was something special. It took the 23-year-old France winger just 14 minutes to mark his first international appearance with a try. It was a sweet score, too, stepping inside a defender to dot down for the opening try of France’s 23-21 victory over the Italians.

Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has angrily denied allegations of doping made against the triple European champions.

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.

A couple of weeks ago, yours truly touched on the Páirc Uí Chaoimh funding issue with reference to the wider context, namely the Irish bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023, and the other, well-equipped challengers for that honour, like Italy and South Africa.

Gordon D’Arcy hasn’t given up on making Ireland’s World Cup squad later this year.

After only two rounds of action, this year’s Six Nations championship has already taken on the appearance of a two-horse race — notwithstanding Wales’ right to dispute that.

He’s a remarkable man, is Serge Blanco, a one-off, someone who has become part of the fabric of French life in his 56 years, and who today is charged with helping transform the national rugby team into credible World Cup contenders.

It’s amazing how people react to a result. Regardless of a win, loss or draw it’s usually an over reaction.

IRFU chiefs fear any boycott of the Heineken Cup or a similar European competition by English and/or French clubs could result in a €12m hit and place the union and the four provinces in a perilous financial position.

THE end is in sight, even if we are not quite there yet.

Breakingnews.ie Rugby Correspondent Daniel Pitcher on worries about the collapse of the Heineken Cup.

The latest twists in the already serpentine bid to reach agreement over the future of European club rugby’s flagship competitions came last night with what was, ultimately, a hardening of resolve on both sides of the barricades.

THE more I read the protestations of the Anglo-French protagonists from Premier Rugby Limited (PRL) and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), the more my blood boils.

ERC chief, Derek McGrath says they are no closer to agreeing terms of a Heineken Cup campaign beyond this campaign with the Anglo-French clubs but is confident a deal can be hammered out.

It took a bit of time, but the Irish, Welsh, Scottish and Italians have come out fighting in a bid to cut renegade English and French clubs off at the pass.

Premiership Rugby and its French counterparts have been accused of showing a lack of respect during an increasingly bitter row over the Heineken Cup’s future.

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.