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.

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."

The only vague surprise about France coach Jacques Brunel’s decision to keep faith with the 23 players who beat Scotland for Sunday’s Six Nations match against Ireland was that it was the first time he has named the same side for consecutive matches since taking the job in January 2018.

Jacques Brunel believes France can exploit “weaknesses” in Ireland’s game in Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations clash in Dublin.

France international centre Gaël Fickou admits victory over a weakened Scotland has restored “a little confidence” in their under-fire squad, but Sunday’s clash with Ireland in Dublin will be a “step up” in class.

As one offshore classic race draws to a close this week, another major race is drawing a near record fleet together closer to home, while at the same time, the Volvo Ocean Race will be decided this weekend in The Netherlands, writes David Branigan

Ireland trio will face Six Nations baptism of fire

The psychology of sport is based on preparing better, believing you are better, and being better than the opposition. And at the elite level, possessing a ruthless, clinical instinct to drive home that superiority.

France coach Jacques Brunel laid out his vision of the future yesterday in handing a test debut to a teenage fly-half and including just one player over the age of 30.

As a Munster man, Peter O’Mahony knows all about adapting to new coaches, and the Ireland flanker believes a change in management will do France no harm at all in Paris this weekend.

As a Munster man, Peter O’Mahony knows all about adapting to new coaches, and the Ireland flanker believes a change in management will do France no harm at all in Paris this weekend.

If Conor O’Shea needed reminding that regard for Italian rugby was at an all-time low, the Azzurri’s new head coach could have flicked through the RBS 6 Nations media guide.

Simon Lewis breaks down the selection and form on both sides...

England boss Eddie Jones is hoping to turn uncapped lock Maro Itoje into a “BMW”, with the Saracens man set to see action in Rome tomorrow.

France launch the Guy Noves coaching era today – but Les Bleus’ star attraction could be Test newcomer Virimi Vakatawa.

Italy prop Michele Rizzo has warned that the Azzurri must pay less heed to how referees perceive their scrummaging and simply concentrate on the basics for which they have long been renowned when they face Ireland in Pool D at London’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

France 32 Italy 10: There were just four minutes to go on Saturday night when Frederic Michalak’s number came up.

Ireland have not been the only ones to have changed immeasurably since that March day in Rome two years ago.

Sergio Parisse believes Ireland are “the best team in the northern hemisphere” but believes Italy can upset them in their RBS 6 Nations opener at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday. 

Sir Patrick Stewart, Helen Lederer and Hugh Bonneville are just some of the stars bringing a series of statues to life by giving them a voice.

ONE of the striking things from Building Ireland, a six-part TV series that examines Ireland’s building and engineering heritage, is to realise how prominent the country was on the world stage in the 18th and 19th centuries.

ALTHOUGH the greater Bristol area has a population similar to that of Dublin, its centre is far more low-key but with a delightful buzz where the up-and-coming appears around the corner from the sedate and elegant.

The Italian coach Jacques Brunel has tipped Ireland to take the Six Nations title with a rare victory in Paris on Saturday.

RBS 6 NATIONS:

Veteran lock Marco Bortolami will captain Italy in tomorrow’s RBS Six Nations game against Ireland.

Scotland forward Johnnie Beattie has rejected the flak aimed at head coach Scott Johnson – insisting the sole responsibility for the Dark Blues’ dismal start to the RBS 6 Nations rests with the players.

William Dargan: an honourable life 1799-1867

I have become extremely wary of Irish performances in the second of back-to-back internationals and the fact that today’s outing is against Italy offers no significant comfort.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse will miss the rest of this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship after being banned for insulting a referee.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse will miss the rest of this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship after being banned for insulting a referee.

Italy 23 France 18

Cast aside the disruption caused by the unscheduled absence of Ireland forwards coach Gert Smal and forget the frozen frustration of Paris, however well-placed the annoyance of the postponement and rescheduling debate surrounding the game with France.

Italy believe they’ll play a significantly weakened Irish team in today’s Six Nations showdown because Brian O’Driscoll is unfit to play.

By Ian Cusack

It is less than four months since Ireland and Les Kiss were being hailed as innovators-in-chief at the Rugby World Cup for their ‘choke’ tackle tactics.

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell fears Italy will arrive in Dublin with the conviction they are ready to claim a prized scalp.

Italy coach Jacques Brunel has made four changes to face Ireland in Saturday’s RBS Six Nations match at the Aviva Stadium.

Italy coach Jacques Brunel has made two changes to the side that lost the RBS 6 Nations opener against France for the game against England in Rome on Saturday.

Vive la France.