France’s World Cup preparations hit an unlikely speed bump in the shape of a Croydon wedding party.

France’s World Cup preparations hit an unlikely speed bump in the shape of a Croydon wedding party.

France star Wesley Fofana scored the game’s solitary try just after half-time as French heavyweights Clermont prevailed 13-9 against Saracens to reach their second European final in three seasons.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has made eight changes for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy at the Stadio Olimpico.

RBS Six Nations

If there was one bum note that accompanied Ireland’s comprehensive Six Nations opener in Rome last week, then it was the camera shots of Sean O’Brien sitting glum-faced in the Stadio Olimpico stands as the Italy game passed him by.

It was the moment Ireland finally got a hand on the RBS 6 Nations trophy.

France have named their starting XV for the Six Nations match against Ireland on Saturday evening.

RBS Six Nations: France v Scotland: The start of a new Six Nations campaign is usually destined to throw Frenchmen of every age, shape and political persuasion into a tizzy. As former captain Fabien Pelous once said: "It is like the start of a new romance. You see a girl across the room, your eyes meet and you both know that everything is possible."

Clermont Auvergne 26 Munster 19

Munster have built a reputation on delivering big performances when they’re least expected, and to survive the type of examination they were to get yesterday at the Stade Marcel Michelin, nothing less than a season’s best would suffice, writes Donal Lenihan.

Clermont 26 Munster 19

Clermont Auvergne will have to improve if they are to score back-to-back Champions Cup victories over Munster on Sunday, their forwards coach Jono Gibbes has warned his players.

Anthony Foley needs his beaten up Munster squad to stand up and be counted this week as he prepares them for the biggest challenge of his short tenure as head coach. 

Clermont Auvergne produced a powerhouse performance at Thomond Park to beat Munster 16-9 and take over at the top of the European Rugby Champions Cup’s Pool One.

Wingers Chris Ashton and David Strettle propelled Saracens to a 30-23 bonus point victory over Clermont in their Champions Cup grudge match at Allianz Park.

Saracens 46 Clermont Auvergne 6

Big statement alert: I don’t think in the history of rugby in this country have we had a better captain-coach combination guiding our fortunes into the next World Cup.

Brian O’Driscoll has all the attributes to forge a first-class coaching career, according to Ireland boss Joe Schmidt.

When the chips were down in Paris, England’s dinner-suited players found themselves cast in the role of hapless bystanders among the pilgrims in downtown Rome, near the Vatican.

We have become programmed to expect the worst when we travel to Paris in the spring but mercifully this Irish team failed to read the script and accept the inevitable.

Cian Healy could not watch and Mike Ross had his head in his hands as Ireland hung on for the victory that gave them their first medals in Test rugby.

Brian O’Driscoll expressed his joy after ending his international career by helping Ireland to glory in the RBS 6 Nations with a 22-20 victory over France in Paris on Saturday evening.

France have included centre Gael Fickou in one of four changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s clash with Ireland on the final weekend of the RBS 6 Nations.

France jumped ahead of Ireland in the IRB’s World Rankings following Saturday’s narrow victory over Scotland.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has made seven changes to his team for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Racing Metro 13 ASM Clermont Auvergne 9

As a Lions candidate in a position already over-subscribed by Test captains, let alone internationals, Tommy O’Donnell may have bolted just a little too late with his standout performance in Montpellier at the weekend.

Clermont Auvergne coach Vern Cotter yesterday played down the loss of his captain Aurelien Rougerie and flanker Gerhard Vosloo for today’s Heineken Cup semi-final.

Clermont Auvergne 46 Exeter 3

Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud has been recalled to France’s preliminary RBS 6 Nations squad but there is no place for Toulouse winger Maxime Medard.

Leinster 21 Clermont Auvergne 28

Fifty games.

Leinster 37 Zebre 7

Perpignan 24 Leicester 19

LEICESTER director of rugby Richard Cockerill praised the intensity of his side’s performance after they hammered the Scarlets at Welford Road to take control of Heineken Cup Pool 5.

Perpignan 35 Treviso 14

FRANCE go into their opening RBS Six Nations match against Ireland on Saturday week with little experience at half-back after Jean-Baptiste Elissalde was surprisingly omitted from their trimmed-down 23-man squad.

Imanol Harinordoquy has been named in France’s 23-man squad for their opening two matches of the RBS 6 Nations Championship, against Ireland and Scotland.