Ospreys 28 Biarritz 21

WALES rugby boss Roger Lewis has warned off possible suitors of coach Warren Gatland following a stunning World Cup run that threatens to make the New Zealander a man in demand.

New Zealand 37 France 17

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

BY this time next week the guessing games will be over as Declan Kidney will have announced his final squad of 30 players entrusted with the responsibility of representing Ireland at the World Cup.

WITH just two days separating the games against Connacht and France, Declan Kidney’s resources were always going to be stretched this week, so yesterday’s injury update from Carton House was timely and welcome in equal measure.

France coach Marc Lievremont has made true on his promise to ring the changes for this weekend's return friendly against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, by making 13 changes to the side that started in Bordeaux on Saturday.

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”.

Connacht Rugby have today completed the signing of rugby league legend Henry Fa’afili.

Courtney Lawes has warned his Northampton team-mates they must defeat Ulster in today’s Heineken Cup quarter-final if they want to be considered a major force in Europe.

FRANCE coach Marc Lièvremont has apologised for comments made in the wake of Les Bleus’ shock Six Nations loss to Italy on Saturday.

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 has made five changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations finale against Wales in Paris.

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.

Julien Bonnaire has promised there will be no fear in the France ranks when Marc Lievremont’s troops run out at Twickenham on Saturday.

France full-back Maxime Medard is “99%” certain he will be fit to play in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with England.

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont insists the changes made to his side for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match with England are based on squad rotation rather than any special measures designed to outfox Martin Johnson’s men.

France coach Marc Lievremont insists the changes made to his side for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match with England are based on squad rotation rather than any special measures designed to outfox Martin Johnson’s men.

FT: Ireland 22 France 25

Ireland are preparing to host France at Aviva Stadium knowing victory against their RBS 6 Nations nemesis would give their title aspirations a huge lift.

Declan Kidney today declared Ireland are revved up for a potentially thrilling RBS 6 Nations debut at Aviva Stadium.

TOMÁS O’LEARY will be given “every chance” to prove his fitness to face France in tomorrow’s must-win Six Nations game against France.

FOR us mere mortals, the honour of representing your country is one of the greatest achievements that can be bestowed in life.

France full-back Clement Poitrenaud has warned Ireland that they should not expect Les Bleus to continue their free-flowing approach in Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash at the Aviva Stadium.

A PUBLIC spat between France coach Marc Lièvremont, his Stade Francais counterpart Michael Cheika and centre Mathieu Bastareaud is threatening to overshadow France’s preparations for Sunday’s Six Nations encounter with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

I COULDN’T help but feel sorry for Italy at the final whistle on Saturday at the Stadio Flaminio, watching as their outstanding captain Sergio Parisse sank to his knees, shattered, heartbroken and drained after yet another heroic performance in defeat.

IRELAND defence coach Les Kiss has applauded the manner in which France returned to winning ways in last weekend’s Six Nations opener after their traumatic 43-points defeat to Australia in November.

Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip is on course to make his comeback in Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France.

France coach Marc Lievremont has made only one change to his team to face Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations on Sunday.

IRELAND have been warned that life in the Six Nations is not about to get any easier after a clinical French team made a winning start to the defence of their title in Paris.

Head coach Andy Robinson was frustrated as Scotland lost 34-21 to France to suffer defeat on the opening RBS 6 Nations weekend yet again and extend their poor record in Paris.

France 34 Scotland 21

Scotland went in search of a first RBS 6 Nations win over reigning Grand Slam champions France in Paris with Alastair Kellock restored as captain.

France coach Marc Lievremont has sprung a major surprise ahead of his side’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Scotland in Paris by picking Damien Traille at full-back and leaving star centre Yannick Jauzion out of his matchday 22.

TEN MONTHS ago Marc Lievremont was the toast of France, revelling in a first Grand Slam victory since 2004 as his side demonstrated that they were the northern hemisphere outfit most likely to make an impact at the World Cup.

Ulster 9 Biarritz 6

ANXIOUS Ulster winger Andrew Trimble came through a last-minute fitness test on a hamstring twinge and is ready to tackle Biarritz at Ravenhill this afternoon.

ULSTER haven’t escaped the Heineken Cup pool stages in 11 years — but they have a real chance to break that unwanted record this weekend.

SIX NATIONS champions France have remained under the radar this autumn with low-profile winning performances against Fiji and Argentina going largely unnoticed. That was before Australia arrived at the Stade de France Saturday night and dismantled their hosts 59-16.

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