Paris has been the burial ground of many burgeoning Irish rugby international careers.

THERE was a fair old smell of burning rubber after Alabama Banjo had got beaten in the Tote Placepot Rollover Today Maiden Hurdle at Limerick yesterday.

Kyran Bracken today stepped down as Saracens captain - and immediately set his sights on regaining the England scrum-half position.

Saracens have pulled off a major coup by signing French international lock Abdelatif Benazzi on a two-year deal.

Raphael Ibanez, Abdelatif Benazzi and Christophe Dominici have all been named in the French squad for the opening Six Nations match against Scotland in Paris on February 4.