Leicester boss Richard Cockerill praised Freddie Burns’ “stardust” qualities after the fly-half inspired Tigers’ 27-17 European Champions Cup victory over Racing 92 at Welford Road.

Bordeaux-Begles 15, Racing 92 9: Ian Madigan said he has settled in well in Bordeaux after leaving Leinster and is delighted to have made a winning start to his Top 14 career. The 27-year old was the star of the show as Bordeaux-Begles made an opening night win over holders, with Madigan outscoring Dan Carter five penalties to three.

Racing 29 Toulon 21: An incredible 14-man defensive stand added to some ice-cool kicking allowed Racing 92 and former Ireland icon Ronan O’Gara to secure their first Top 14 title in 26 years.

Racing 92 sealed a home quarter-final tie in the European Champions Cup with a record victory over Scarlets in Paris.

Northampton 9 Racing 92 9: Northampton’s England contingent failed to make an impression as Eddie Jones resumed his busy pre-Christmas scouting tour of the Aviva Premiership clubs last night.

He may have packed his bags and left Paris for good, but Jonathan Sexton continues to hold a fascination for the French, some of whom have made no secret of their intent to target the Ireland number ten ahead of Sunday’s Pool D meeting between the sides in Cardiff.

France 38 Romania 11: If Ireland had allowed any complacency to creep into their minds ahead of Sunday’s clash with Romania then this will have surely eradicated it.

Anthony Watson scored two tries and Jonny May also crossed as England opened preparations for the World Cup with an edgy 19-14 victory over France at Twickenham.

Racing Metro 92 11 Saracens 12: Marcelo Bosch basked in the gratitude of his team-mates after kicking Saracens into the semi-finals of the Champions Cup in dramatic scenes in north Paris.

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

France 13 Wales 20

France v Wales

From domestic club league to the World Cup in the autumn, expect this lot to be making rugby headlines this year, says Gavin Howarth.

Jonathan Sexton has all but made his mind up as to where he will play his club rugby in 12 months’ time, but the Racing Metro out-half stopped short of revealing whether home will be Dublin or Paris.

Australia 6 France 0

Goodbyes can be painful, as we all know, but when Brian O’Driscoll’s romance with Test rugby finally came to an end in Paris, parting proved such sweet sorrow.

RBS SIX NATIONS:

If it isn’t ‘GUBU’, it’s not far off. The vitriol pouring down on Philippe Saint-Andre and his French players this week is unbelievable, occasionally bizarre.

Scotland 17 France 19

France 30 Italy 10

France 26 England 24

France 26 England 24

France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre insists the post-2011 World Cup rebuilding phase is over as he targets a critical RBS 6 Nations victory over England today.

New Zealand managed to take victory tonight in a closely-fought game in Paris.

France 33 Australia 6