It may be cold enough here in Paris to leave eskimos pining for the frozen tundra of their homelands but the hot air currently being generated by French rugby folk more than compensates for the polar conditions.

Former France international number eight Sebastien Chabal has revealed a breakdown in relations with coach Pierre Berbizier has led to his departure from Top 14 side Racing Metro.

PHIL GODMAN kicked a last-minute drop-goal for Edinburgh last night to clinch victory over Racing Metro and keep them at the top of Pool 2 in the Heineken Cup.

TIM VISSER’S try double earned Edinburgh a sensational Heineken Cup Pool Two success over Racing Metro at Murrayfield last night.

HE’S a powerful back-row and an explosive runner who has become a cult figure among his supporters and the subject of tribute videos on the internet.

RACING METRO’S Sebastien Chabal was yesterday banned for 60 days for criticising Top 14 referees, ending his season.

Racing-Metro’s Sebastien Chabal has today been banned for 60 days for criticising Top 14 referees, ending his season.

SEBASTIEN CHABAL was left out of France’s provisional World Cup squad for sporting rather than political reasons, national team boss Marc Lievremont declared.

Sebastien Chabal was left out of France’s provisional World Cup squad for sporting rather than political reasons, according to national team boss Marc Lievremont.

Sebastien Chabal has been omitted from France’s provisional 32-man squad for the World Cup in September.

CAN anyone stop the French Top 14 financial juggernaut? It’s a loaded question.

France back-row forward Sebastien Chabal has apologised for his critical comments about referees which have landed him a ban – but stopped short of retracting them.

THEY’VE been to paradise, but they’ve never been to Brive.

France coach Marc Lievremont today admitted his regret at an outburst following Saturday's defeat by Italy in which he suggested several players may not represent Les Bleus again.

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont said he was at a “dead end” following Saturday’s shock defeat by Italy in the Six Nations.

Sebastien Chabal was one of six players dropped from the France squad tonight as coach Marc Lievremont held true to his promise of making changes following yesterday’s defeat to Italy.

Sebastien Chabal has retained his place in the France XV for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash in Italy.

England 17 France 9

SEBASTIEN CHABAL believes Irish indiscipline was key to their defeat at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

France back-row forward Sebastien Chabal insists Les Bleus have taken no comfort from Ireland’s below-par display in Italy last weekend ahead of Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations trip to the Aviva Stadium.

Saracens 21 Racing Metro 24

ARGENTINA will arrive in Dublin on the back of an error-strewn 15-9 defeat to France in Montpellier.

Sebastien Chabal has been recalled to the France XV for Saturday’s Test against Argentina in Montpellier.

Mathieu Bastareaud has been left out of France’s squad for their upcoming internationals against Fiji, Argentina and Australia.

LEINSTER’S Devin Toner was the tallest man on the pitch during his sides Heineken Cup victory over French Super 14 league leaders Racing Metro on Saturday.

SEBASTIAN Chabal, the French human wrecking ball left his mark on the ribs of Leinster’s Jamie Heaslip within 30 seconds of kick-off in Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash at the RDS, but then found diminutive Leinster winger Isa Nacewa more than a match for him.

JOE SCHMIDT’S European euphoria was dampened last night by confirmation that Leinster will travel to Saturday’s clash against Saracens at Wembley without hamstrung Brian O’Driscoll.

Leinster 38 Racing Metro 22

LEINSTER hope to have learned a lesson about flogging a dead horse as they prepare for the opening Heineken Cup game of the season against Racing Metro at the RDS today (1.30pm).

LEINSTER flanker Shane Jennings expects a testing afternoon from Racing Metro’s pack in Saturday’s Heineken Cup opener at the RDS.

Wigmore Hall is reported to have taken his transatlantic journey in his stride ahead of his bid for Grade One glory in tomorrow's Secretariat Stakes.

FRAN BERRY and Alan Munro have been named as the final two riders to compete in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot on Saturday.

Saeed bin Suroor will assess ground conditions before committing Rio De La Plata to Saturday’s totesport.com Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.

WILLIAM Buick has needed to wait a while, but in this Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse he will finally get his second chance to ride Dar Re Mi.

TWICE Over heads the market for Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse with the sponsors as his trainer Henry Cecil bids for his first win in the race in over 30 years.

Dubai Sheema Classic winner Dar Re Mi features among 13 remaining entries in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.

Could the person with the handle on Ballydoyle’s middle distance three-year-olds please put their hand up? Tomorrow’s Dubai Duty Free Derby is their Derby.

SUPPLEMENTARY entry Monterosso is as low as 3-1 in one book for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday.

MONTEROSSO could be supplemented for Sunday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

Monterosso could be supplemented for Sunday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

THE absence of St Nicholas Abbey takes some of the intrigue from today’s Investec Epsom Derby but, for all that the Ballydoyle team will miss the horse they believed ‘could walk on water’, the stable dominated the major trials and appears to hold all the aces today.

AIDAN O’BRIEN is excited by his Investec Derby squad as he prepares to challenge for a first win in the race since High Chaparral in 2002.

ANTE-POST favourite St Nicholas Abbey features among a total of 19 horses remaining in the Investec Derby at Epsom following the latest forfeits.