MARC LIEVREMONT’S gift for the unexpected makes second-guessing the French coach a foolish business but the expectation is that Cedric Heymans will be named in the national squad on Sunday.

“A TOTAL Fiasco”, “Pathetic” and “Shameful” — those were just a selection of some of the headlines to grace the French newspapers on Sunday morning after the nation’s historic 22-21 Six Nations loss to Italy in Rome.

IT’S the fairytale election — just without the happy ending.

FRANCE number eight Imanol Harinordoquy is the only player from the northern hemisphere to make the six-man shortlist for the International Rugby Board’s Player of the Year award.

France winger Florent Malouda admits he found it "frustrating" to be kept on the bench until the last 15 minutes of last night's World Cup stalemate with Uruguay.

Toulon centre Felipe Contepomi has returned to the Argentina squad for the Pumas’ Tests against Scotland and France.

Donal Lenihan offers a fascinating tactical insight into the three key areas that will influence today's Six Nations clash at Croke Park.

France captain Thierry Dusautoir is expecting his side to face a huge physical challenge when they meet defending champions Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations tomorrow.

FRANCE legend Serge Blanco believes Ireland full-back Rob Kearney could be the key between the two sides at the Stade de France on Saturday, rating the 23-year-old as one of the best players in the world.

IRISH fans had been hoping that French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac would be employing his Gaelic football skills by putting plenty over the bar at Croke Park tomorrow.

World number one Amelie Mauresmo is in determined mood to complete her quest for a place in the Wimbledon final this year.

Former France captain Marcel Desailly is confident Les Bleus can claim their second World Cup title on Sunday.

France 26 Ireland 8

Gordon D’Arcy believes Ireland will become a major force if they continue to pursue their high-risk strategy – even though it contributed to their downfall at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Ireland boss Eddie O'Sullivan hopes his misfiring players will respond to his vote of confidence by seizing the chance to redeem themselves against France on Saturday.

France 3 Ivory Coast 0

South Africa coach Jake White has sprung a major surprise by including prop Lawrence Sephaka for Saturday’s second Test against France in Port Elizabeth.

Italy assistant manager Carlo Checchinato insists the Azzurri will have to perform at their very best if they are to stop France from clocking up a big score on Saturday at the Flaminio in Rome.

Scrum-half Pierre Mignoni concedes France’s woeful performance against Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations has presented them with a confidence crisis ahead of next weekend’s game against England.

Brian Kerr fears France coach Raymond Domenech has wound up his new stars following his failure to recall the old guard.

France striker David Trezeguet looks to have recovered from an ankle injury and may replace Louis Saha alongside Thierry Henry in attack against England on Sunday.

Mikael Silvestre is backing France to justify favouritism at Euro 2004 and that includes beating England in their opening game.

FABIEN GALTHIE is renowned for philosophical musings on the enigma that is French rugby, but the scrum-half and captain is taking a thoroughly positive view to his side’s quarter-final clash with Ireland on Sunday.

Bernard Laporte reckons the winner of Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final between France and Ireland will be outsiders to win the Webb Ellis Cup – but he does not believe there is much in it.

Centre Tony Marsh looks like being France’s only injury concern for Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final clash with Ireland in Melbourne.