LEICESTER boss Pat Howard has predicted a “formidable” challenge from Stade Francais when the Parisians play for their Heineken Cup lives today.

Ospreys 13 Stade Francais 8

Stade Francais have added Los Pumas Agustin Pichot and Juan Martin Hernandez to their side for the return date with Ulster at Ravenhill on Saturday afternoon.

Man-of-the-match Ronan O’Gara admitted Munster’s flying start against Stade Francais had been the key to winning a place in the Heineken Cup semi-finals.

SHAUN PAYNE has been given a licence to roam by Munster coach Alan Gaffney in today's Heineken Cup quarter-final clash at Thomond Park.

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney remains a worried man despite the loss by Stade Francais of key-figure Augustin Pichot for tomorrow's Heineken Cup quarter-final at Thomond Park.

WHEN Peter Stringer scored against Scotland to guarantee a Triple Crown, Ireland’s rugby renaissance was confirmed.

France coach Bernard Laporte has announced his 22-man squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations clash against Ireland at the Stade de France on February 14.

Italian master Diego Dominguez starred as Stade Francais wiped out the memories of their 2001 Heineken Cup final defeat by Leicester with an impressive display at Welford Road this evening.

Leeds go into a crucial Heineken Cup clash against unbeaten Edinburgh tomorrow, with Tykes boss Phil Davies declaring: “Our European adventure is still alive.”

Nigel Melville tonight warned that Gloucester cannot rely purely on the Fortress Kingsholm factor in their quest for Heineken Cup glory.

Coach Alan Solomons has made just one change for Ulster's crucial Heineken Cup home tie with Stade Francais on Friday evening.

ENGLAND coach Clive Woodward has insisted he would have no worries if he lost Jonny Wilkinson for the likely RBS Six Nations decider against Ireland in Dublin.

France coach Bernard Laporte has named his 22-man squad to take on Italy at Rome's Stadio Flaminio in the RBS Six Nations next Sunday, with versatile halfback Frédéric Michalak and Bourgoin prop Olivier Milloud both earning call-ups.

THE Irish management team are by no means gloating at the loss of brilliant French scrum-half and captain Fabien Galthie ahead of their RBS 6 Nations clash on March 8.

France coach Bernard Laporte had recalled prop Pieter de Villiers for the Grand Slam clash with Ireland in Paris this weekend.

France lock David Auradou will miss the Six Nations clash against Scotland on March 23 because of a hand injury.

France ran out convincing winners against Italy, but failed to convince the rugby world that they are the side to beat in the 2002 Lloyds TSb Six Nations Championships.

France scores again and lead by seven at half-time in their Six Nations match against Italy in Paris.

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.

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.