Vincent Debaty has won a seat on France’s bench to face Ireland purely because Philippe Saint-Andre expects the prop to extend his dominance over rival Marty Moore.

A week ago it was the return to France of Vern Cotter that was taxing French minds ahead of their Six Nations opener against Scotland. 

Clermont 22 Leicester 16

A year ago, Marty Moore was in the process of winning an Ulster Bank League medal with Lansdowne, waiting for an opportunity to go professional with Leinster. He was happy with that.

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Clermont Auvergne 23 Harlequins 13

There has been times over his decorated coaching career that Declan Kidney has been characterised as a lucky general.

Time tells you a lot.

Ireland team manager Mick Kearney has insisted a poor run of luck rather than a problem with the IRFU’s player welfare programme is the reason for the national side’s current injury crisis.

Keith Earls has criticised the officials’ failure to award Ireland a penalty in the final throes of Saturday’s draw with France.

Keith Earls has pointed the finger of blame at referee Steve Walsh for Ireland’s failure to overcome France at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday as the sides played out a draw for the second year in a row.

Keith Earls has criticised the officials’ failure to award Ireland a penalty in the final throes of yesterday’s 13-13 RBS 6 Nations draw with France at the Aviva Stadium.

Three key areas of confrontation at the Aviva today

France 6 Wales 16

As things transpired, the postponement of the Six Nations meeting of France and Ireland for three weeks was rendered inconsequential.

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

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.

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.

GLASGOW WARRIORS maintained their pursuit of Leinster in Heineken Cup Pool Three with a 20-15 victory over Montpellier at Firhill.

CLERMONT AUVERGNE picked up their first win of this season’s Heineken Cup in some style as they put Aironi to the sword in a one-sided clash at Stade Marcel Michelin last night.

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Leeds 21 Perpignan 20

Heineken Cup Pool 5