PETER STRINGER’S Saracens are on the brink of a place in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals, after England new boy Owen Farrell kept his nerve to kick them to a 20-16 victory over Biarritz in Pool 5.

Aironi 0 Clermont 82

France coach Marc Lievremont today admitted his regret at an outburst following Saturday's defeat by Italy in which he suggested several players may not represent Les Bleus again.

France coach Marc Lievremont has made five changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations finale against Wales in Paris.

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont said he was at a “dead end” following Saturday’s shock defeat by Italy in the Six Nations.

Sebastien Chabal was one of six players dropped from the France squad tonight as coach Marc Lievremont held true to his promise of making changes following yesterday’s defeat to Italy.

ON the injury front, no news is normally good news.

Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip have been named in the Leinster team for Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash with Clermont at the Aviva Stadium, although Heaslip’s inclusion is pending a late fitness test following the warm-up.

CLERMONT Auvergne coach Vern Cotter has urged his side to lift their game another notch in anticipation of an improved Leinster performance for Saturday’s Heineken Cup showdown at the Aviva Stadium.

Brian O’Driscoll has failed to make the Leinster squad for Sunday’s Heineken Cup clash with ASM Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Marcel Michelin (kick-off 3pm).

THERE isn’t much in the way of history between Leinster and Clermont Auvergne, but what little there is will always remain a source of some satisfaction for the Irish province.

FRANCE defence coach Dave Ellis was delighted with his side’s six-try show against Italy as Les Bleus remained on course for the Grand Slam.

France 46 Italy 20

France’s injury problems continue with the news that Fulgence Ouedraogo and Sylvain Marconnet have been replaced by Alexandre Lapandry and Clement Baiocco respectively.

Clermont Auvergne 40 Leicester 30

France coach Marc Lievremont today made four changes to his squad for Saturday’s Test against New Zealand in Marseille.

WALES boss Warren Gatland has given short shrift to claims that Argentina possess the most revered scrummaging unit in world rugby.

MIKE PHILLIPS handed Wales an injury scare during Ospreys 25-24 Heineken Cup Pool Three victory over Clermont Auvergne at the Liberty Stadium yesterday.

Ospreys 25 Clermont Auvergne 24

ANDREW BURKE gets a chance to prove his credentials as a potentially top-class out-half when he makes his first appearance for Ireland U-20 against France at Dubarry Park tonight (7.30pm).