WARREN GATLAND is hoping the clash between the Rest of Ireland and Munster at Thomond Park tomorrow week will be a no-holds-barred contest to boost chances of a big Irish representation on the Lions tour to Australia.

French coach Bernard Laporte has picked three new faces in a 22-man squad for their April 7 Six Nations clash with England at Twickenham.

FRENCH rugby has plumbed new depths following a second stunning Six Nations defeat at the Stade de France on Saturday that has left the nation feeling ‘‘offended’’, ‘‘battered’’ and ‘‘humiliated’’.

WALES’ Six Nations Championship clash against France in Paris tomorrow week looks likely to go ahead as planned.

Pepito Elhorga looks set for his France international debut when they take on Wales at the Stade de France on March 17.

It is a shame that the closest and hardest match to predict for this round of the Six Nations tournament has fallen victim to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Raphael Ibanez, Abdelatif Benazzi and Christophe Dominici have all been named in the French squad for the opening Six Nations match against Scotland in Paris on February 4.