Clermont Auvergne 26 Munster 19

Clermont Auvergne players were attacked by gang armed with machetes and swords.

Clermont Auvergne are not a side to meet from September to March, but their late season form and inability to close the deal means coach Vern Cotter will depart the club in the summer to mixed reviews, by Bernard Jackman.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has named a team showing one enforced change for Friday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales in Cardiff.

French hooker Benjamin Kayser, who is trying to reach a Heineken Cup final with a third club, believes that Munster’s experience in the competition will ensure that Clermont will not underestimate them in tomorrow’s semi-final.

Three key areas of confrontation at the Aviva today

France head coach Philippe Saint-André has dropped Francois Trinh-Duc for Saturday’s meeting with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium with the unpredictable Freddie Michalak returning to the number 10 jersey.

Leinster 37 Zebre 7

Michael Cheika had no doubt about the extent of the task facing his Leinster team this time two years ago when the Irish province prepared for their first, and so far only, Heineken Cup semi-final on French soil.

Bridesmaid. It’s a word that seems to provoke equal amounts of fear and loathing from members of the opposite sex, much to the incomprehension of men everywhere.

THERE are plenty of lazy comparisons to draw between Brive and Munster — both former European champions keen to restore former glories, and both call small, rugby-mad provincial centres home — but what’s less obvious is that the French side found inspiration in Limerick not so long ago.

STADE FRANCAIS seized the initiative in Heineken Cup Pool Four with victory over Ulster at Stade Jean Bouin.

Stade Francais 29 Ulster 16

Stade Français have made a rash of changes for their Heineken Cup showdown with Ulster at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels tomorrow.

Leicester 16 Leinster 19

Leicester Tigers coach Richard Cockerill recalls Alesana Tuilagi and Martin Castrogiovanni to the team for Saturday's Heineken Cup Final against Leinster at Murrayfield.

France have made four changes in personnel to their team for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match against Italy in Rome.

France will go with an unchanged squad for their last match in the RBS 6 Nations Championship, against Italy in Rome on Saturday.

France head coach Marc Lievremont has taken a major gamble by selecting Benoit Baby at fly-half for Friday’s RBS 6 Nations match against Wales in Paris.

France head coach Marc Lievremont will go with an unchanged squad for next weekend’s RBS 6 Nations match against Scotland in Paris.

France head coach Marc Lievremont has named just one recognised fly-half in his provisional 30-man squad for a three-day training camp ahead of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Sebastien Tillous-Borde and Sebastien Chabal have been drafted into France’s starting XV for Saturday’s Test against Australia in Paris.

LATE tries from veteran Argentinian scrum-half Augustin Pichot and Fijian substitute Radike Samo inspired Stade Francais to a 23-18 victory over Clermont in the French Top 14 championship final at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Argentina captain Agustin Pichot could join current Pumas coach Marcelo Loffreda at Leicester next season after claiming he has been approached by the English giants.

Ireland U-21 13 France U-21 20