The Heineken Cup as we know it has just seven games to run. When it is consigned to history at the end of the season in favour of its successor, the proposed new European Champions Cup, we will look back with fond memories on the last 19 seasons of memorable European action and the joy the tournament brought for rugby supporters across the competing nations.

When news filtered into the press room 30 minutes before kick-off that Peter O’Mahony was a Munster absentee, the odds on a visitors’ success dropped a fathom.

Keith Earls became the latest frontline Ireland player to sign a new IRFU contract, but will face an anxious wait to see whether he will play any part in the upcoming RBS 6 Nations.

Toulouse 14 Connacht 16

We’ve been spoilt over the years with the frequency of Munster and Leinster being paired with Toulouse and Clermont Auvergne in either the pool or knockout stages of the Heineken Cup. At its best, French club rugby is irresistible and in those two outstanding sides, we have been exposed to the very best it has to offer.

Every dog has its day.

Edinburgh will be aiming to become the first Scottish team to qualify for the Heineken Cup semi-finals as they host Toulouse today.

FOR all bar a handful of English fans among the 48,000 at a sold-out Lansdowne Road, it ended in the heartache caused by a tubby Samoan burrowing over for the decisive try four minutes into stoppage time.

Wales 16 France 9

France 22 England 24

In different circumstances, say three weeks ago, this might have been considered a famous result for Irish rugby.

France were left to reflect on the “feeling of defeat” after ending their Six Nations Grand Slam hopes yesterday, according to manager Philippe Saint-Andre.

France 17 Ireland 17

Circumstances have changed but Ireland can find success in Paris this weekend.

So back we go to Stade de France, where the pitch has thawed since that icy debacle of three weekends ago and the intrigue surrounding this RBS 6 Nations clash tomorrow between France and Ireland (3pm, Irish time) has increased considerably.

France’s RBS 6 Nations hopes have been rocked by the news that full-back Maxime Medard has been ruled out for up to nine months with a serious knee ligament injury.

France have made two changes to the side that beat Scotland last time out for their rearranged RBS 6 Nations game with Ireland on Sunday in Paris.

France have made two changes to the side that beat Scotland last time out for their rearranged RBS 6 Nations game with Ireland on Sunday.

France coach Philippe Saint-André has confirmed full-back Maxime Medard will miss the RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland on Sunday with a knee injury.

France have called up Clement Poitrenaud after full-back Maxime Medard was ruled out of Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash againstIreland with a knee injury.

French fullback Maxime Medard will miss the RBS 6 Nations match against Ireland at the Stade de France on Sunday due to a knee injury he sustained in the 23-17 win over Scotland yesterday.

PAUL O’CONNELL’S decision to commit to Munster until the end of the 2013/14 season is about the only bit of good news to come the province’s way over the last few weeks.

NEW France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has included two uncapped players in his provisional 30-man squad for the RBS 6 Nations.

New France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has included two uncapped players in his provisional 30-man squad for the RBS 6 Nations.

GERRY KELLY was working on an intriguing seating plan as darkness fell in the Sportsgrounds yesterday.

GLOUCESTER head coach Bryan Redpath was delighted with the performance of under-fire centre Mike Tindall as he ended a difficult week with a resolute performance in a tense 21-17 defeat at Toulouse .

Toulouse 21 Gloucester 17

Yes says Donal Lenihan

IF the objective of Saturday’s game against France was to dampen Irish expectations on the eve of the World Cup then it had the desired effect. This performance was not on the agenda.

MARC LIEVREMONT’S gift for the unexpected makes second-guessing the French coach a foolish business but the expectation is that Cedric Heymans will be named in the national squad on Sunday.

CONNACHT chief executive Gerry Kelly believes Toulouse are the most glamorous side in Europe and has predicted that playing the French side in the Heineken Cup will encourage a whole generation of Galway youngsters to take up rugby.

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.

Leinster 32 Toulouse 23

Toulouse coach Guy Novès has made four changes to his side, from the one that defeated Biarritz in their Heineken Cup quarter-final clash in San Sebastian, for tomorrow’s last four match with Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, kick-off 3.30pm.

Victory for Leinster tomorrow could catapult them to a second Heineken Cup success, believes Donal Lenihan. The outlook is not so promising for Ulster however. Munster? The future starts here.

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