France have called up Stade Français back-row Raphael Lakafia to replace Damien Chouly ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Ireland.

Pride restored after a Parisian wake-up call a fortnight ago, Ronan O’Gara was able to take plenty of encouragement from Racing 92’s honourable defeat on his return to Thomond Park.

Simon Lewis compares the sides ahead of Sunday’s Champions Cup opener.

From where Munster was 18 months ago, things looked and felt a whole lot more positive from where I was sitting Tuesday night, writes Ronan O’Gara

For a small town, Enniskillen has given birth to more than its share of international sportsmen, amongst them Olympic gold medal sprinter Robert Kerr, champion heavyweight boxer Gordon Ferris and ex-Celtic goalkeeper Michael McGovern.

Racing 92 sealed a home quarter-final tie in the European Champions Cup with a record victory over Scarlets in Paris.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

London’s Indian summer came to an abrupt end yesterday, but the slate skies and soft rain did little to dampen the sense of conviviality that permeated the mood around the French camp ahead of their second outing in Ireland’s Pool D tomorrow night.

Jonathan Sexton might have thought he had put to bed all the doubts and debate about his selection when he walked off the Lansdowne turf two nights ago, but it was only in the hours afterwards that the Irish out-half finally managed to make his case airtight.

France flanker Bernard Le Roux has warned his Racing Metro club-mate Johnny Sexton to wear a helmet when the returning fly-half makes his comeback for Ireland tomorrow following a 12-week concussion lay-off.

If there was one bum note that accompanied Ireland’s comprehensive Six Nations opener in Rome last week, then it was the camera shots of Sean O’Brien sitting glum-faced in the Stadio Olimpico stands as the Italy game passed him by.

France 15 Scotland 8: They put a brave face on it but it was evident from the shrugs and pouts that a hard-fought tryless 15-8 victory over a feisty Scotland in Paris was not quite enough for the French. 

RBS Six Nations: France v Scotland: The start of a new Six Nations campaign is usually destined to throw Frenchmen of every age, shape and political persuasion into a tizzy. As former captain Fabien Pelous once said: "It is like the start of a new romance. You see a girl across the room, your eyes meet and you both know that everything is possible."

Amid the hype and bluster surrounding the Six Nations launch, the French provided a moment of context and a sharp dose of reality.

Australia 6 France 0

Reigning champions Wales put their RBS 6 Nations title bid back on track with a Millennium Stadium mauling of France that ended Les Bleus’ Grand Slam hopes.

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

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his side for Friday night’s Heineken Cup match against Racing-Métro 92 at the Stade Yves du Manoir, kick-off 8pm.

Clermont Auvergne 28 Racing Metro 17

Clermont Auvergne 28 Racing Metro 17