Paris has been the burial ground of many burgeoning Irish rugby international careers.

Scotland wing Rory Lamont suffered a suspected broken leg in the 23-17 RBS 6 Nations loss to France at Murrayfield yesterday.

Scotland 17 France 23

Full-back Stuart Hogg will make his first Test start today as Scotland look to revive their RBS 6 Nations campaign against Rugby World Cup finalists France.

The Stade de France was the centre of farcical scenes last night when Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations match against France was postponed just 10 minutes before kick-off.

Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France was tonight given the go-ahead after the Stade de France passed a pitch inspection by referee Dave Pearson.

Prolific France winger Vincent Clerc has warned Ireland that he revels in the space they offer.

Wayne Barnes should not have awarded a penalty against Stephen Ferris — let alone followed it up with a yellow card — for the tackle on Ian Evans which allowed Wales to snatch victory at Lansdowne Road last weekend.

France have promoted Imanol Harinordoquy to their starting line-up as one of four changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland.

So, the French have their tails up while the Irish find themselves navel-gazing after a third straight defeat against the Welsh.

France 30 Italy 12

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

HARLEQUINS’ record 14-match unbeaten run came to a halt at The Stoop last night after they were overpowered by four-time Heineken Cup champions Toulouse.

Mike McCarthy, Connacht’s influential blindside flanker, has been suspended for two weeks for a dangerous tackle on Vincent Clerc during his province's Heineken Cup defeat to Toulouse.

ALAIN ROLLAND would send off Sam Warburton again if the Welsh captain, or any other player, committed another spear tackle during a game he was officiating.

PERCEPTIONS can really mess with the head sometimes.

NEW ZEALAND captain Richie McCaw hailed his team’s courage and desire after they ended 24 years of hurt by winning the closest final in World Cup history.

AS the eldest of eight children, Marc Lievremont’s robust style in coaching the French rugby squad should perhaps surprise nobody.

France wing Vincent Clerc insists that Sunday’s showdown with host nation New Zealand is “a dream final” for Les Bleus.

WALES’ World Cup squad have rallied behind their suspended skipper Sam Warburton after he was sent off during an agonising semi-final defeat against France on Saturday.

France 19 England 12

France 14 Tonga 19

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont was “satisfied” after seeing his side claim a second straight bonus-point win in Pool A with a 46-19 success over Canada in Napier.

France 46 Canada 19

HT: France 19 Canada 10

France have made 11 changes for Sunday’s World Cup Pool A clash with Canada in Napier, with captain Thierry Dusautoir left out of the matchday 22.

FRENCH scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili has warned the rest of the rugby giants his side can beat anyone to win the World Cup.

IRELAND coach Declan Kidney admitted his side “just have to get better” after Saturday night’s seven-point loss to France in Bordeaux.

France 19 Ireland 12

FRANCE coach Marc Lièvremont has thrown down the gauntlet to his players ahead of Saturday’s World Cup warm-up with Ireland in Bordeaux by declaring that Les Bleus are now in “competition mode”.

Biarritz forward Raphael Lakafia will make his France debut against Ireland in Bordeaux on Saturday.

Leinster 32 Toulouse 23

A HEINEKEN CUP semi-final was not at the top of Joe Schmidt’s list of priorities when he started the season as Leinster’s new head coach.

WALES went into Saturday’s game knowing they needed to beat France by 27 points to snatch the Six Nations title from England.

France 28 Wales 9

Italy claimed their first RBS 6 Nations victory over France at the 12th attempt with a sensational 22-21 upset in Rome this afternoon.

FOR all the management teams, the Six Nations has now become a three-phase operation, with the key objective to be still in contention for honours when the final round of games are staged.

GLASGOW WARRIORS’ French misery continued as their European dreams were shattered following a 36-10 loss to Toulouse last night.

Toulouse 36 Glasgow Warriors 10

FRANCE coach Marc Lièvremont blamed his team’s horrific opening 20 minutes for their 42-17 loss to South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday.

Toulouse coach Guy Noves has decided to go with David Skrela at out-half against Leinster in the Heineken Cup semi-final on Saturday.

RYAN JONES readily admits Wales have been on an emotional rollercoaster during this season’s Six Nations Championship.

France hooker William Servat has warned his team-mates against the danger of underestimating Wales ahead of tomorrow night’s RBS 6 Nations clash at the Millennium Stadium.

France centre Yannick Jauzion has urged his team-mates to maintain their focus ahead of Friday night’s game against Wales as they bid to continue their march to the RBS 6 Nations title.