With the nightmare of the World Cup in Japan finally consigned to history as the Andy Farrell era of Irish rugby got underway, it is somewhat ironic that the new boss’s very first tournament will have a direct influence on Ireland’s next World Cup campaign in France in three years’ time.

Shaun Edwards’ decision to join France’s new-look coaching set-up after the World Cup was rumoured for so long that it was far from a surprise when it was finally confirmed. But it still raised a few eyebrows.

French rugby chiefs have toughened their salary cap regulations following a court ruling in its favour.

No room at the top — touch of farce as France load up on off-field leaders after a disappointing Six Nations. But who is really in charge, asks James Harrington

World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper says there could be a Women’s Nations Championship if the male concept is given the thumbs up.

Joe Schmidt was French Rugby President Bernard Laporte's first choice to be appointed as the new head coach of Les Bleus.

French Rugby president Bernard Laporte has kicked to touch on the possibility of Ronan O'Gara being part of the country's World Cup coaching ticket, insisting it's a call for head coach Jacques Brunel.

Ronan O’Gara has dismissed as premature speculation he is poised to ink a deal with the French Rugby Federation to join their World Cup coaching ticket.

The possibility of Ronan O'Gara being part of France's backroom team for the 2019 World Cup has increased with French Rugby Federation sources in Paris confirmed the Munster and Ireland legend was "under consideration."

Ronan O’Gara has been linked with a role in the French coaching setup for the World Cup.

Is the dam on the brink of bursting? Is international rugby ready to sell its soul? The haste with which a proposed new 12-team World League is being introduced smacks of panic. There is even talk of the tournament running in 2020. Surely not?

We were barely beyond the final rounds of the Champions Cup before the mind games — with Eddie Jones as always to the fore — at the Six Nations launch in London last week reminded us that the main course is about to land in our laps pretty soon, writes Donal Lenihan.

Police raided the headquarters of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) yesterday as part of an investigation into alleged conflict of interest involving the federation’s president Bernard Laporte, a source close to the matter said.

Your lunchtime news bulletin.

Racing’s vast resources are best illustrated by the options available to their management in the second row alone compared to Johann van Graan, writes Donal Lenihan.

The cash-rich Top 14 outfit Montpellier, has tabled an astonishing €840,000 a year offer to CJ Stander in a bid to turn his head and dissuade him from signing a new contract with Munster and the IRFU.

New Zealand apart, the order of world rugby is changing rapidly, says Donal Lenihan

It’s not good when people who are investing trust in you feel they are out of the loop, writes Ronan O’Gara.

So much for transparency. For all the good intention of overseeing the most open, least questionable bidding process for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, governing body World Rugby is this morning as big a loser as South Africa, whose bid it unanimously recommended on October 31.

Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup has been “holed”, but not sunk, by the report that placed them third of the three bids, IRFU chief, Philip Browne, has said.

Is there any particular autumn international I’d buy a ticket for?

The IRFU has doubled down on its doubts over South Africa’s suitability to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with the union continuing to push for answers on aspects of the technical review which last week recommended the Rainbow Nation.

Frontrunners at breakfast, dirt-trackers by brunch.

November 15 next is a date that has loomed large on the Irish rugby calendar for some time, yet you won’t find a fixture of any consequence on the day.

It’s part of the gig. Meeting agents. There’s been quite a few in the past two weeks and I’m never sure whether I’m energised or anxious at the amount of money sloshing around in rugby.

All’s fair in love and war and, it seems, the bidding process for major sporting events.

South Africa’s revival in 2017 has been built on their intensity in defence and vigour at the breakdown, which was on display again in the dominant 35-12 victory over France at Ellis Park on Saturday that saw them sweep the home series 3-0.

Shock was the overriding emotion on the Cote d’Azur as Paul O’Connell announced his immediate retirement from the sport he has graced so magnificently over the last 14 years.

Before taking charge of the Springboks, Kitch Christie made a bold prediction: “Six months is long enough for a coach to win the World Cup.”

‘Croydon-sur-Seine’, read the headlines.

He’s back in favour with Les Bleus, but the mercurial No 10 of the unpredictable temperament continues to be the poster boy for France’s fragility, says Gavin Mortimer