The Ligue 1 game between Metz and Lyon at Stade Saint-Symphorien was abandoned after firecrackers exploded in the first half near visiting goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, who fell to the ground and was later taken to hospital.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

THE opening Heineken Cup defeat to Sale has Munster on the back foot ahead of today’s must-win clash with Castres — something the players are acutely aware of, full-back Shaun Payne tells Declan Colley.