France 41 Canada 18: Another comfortable margin on the scoreboard for France, but doubts hang over Philippe Saint-Andre’s side ahead of their final Pool D encounter with Ireland on Sunday week after a workmanlike defeat of Canada in stadium:mk last night.

Seeing may be believing, but the eyes tell lies, too.

France 32 Italy 10: There were just four minutes to go on Saturday night when Frederic Michalak’s number came up.

‘Croydon-sur-Seine’, read the headlines.

He’s back in favour with Les Bleus, but the mercurial No 10 of the unpredictable temperament continues to be the poster boy for France’s fragility, says Gavin Mortimer

Three weeks ago, the chief question being asked of Joe Schmidt’s Ireland ahead of the World Cup was whether they could inject some zing into what has been a solid rather than spectacular attacking game this last two seasons.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has left out fly-half Francois Trinh-Ducfrom his 31-man World Cup squad, in favour of Frederic Michalak.

As we contemplate the prospect and the implications of a second all-French European final in three years, fans of the Irish provinces might be wondering what their sides must do to get back to the continent’s top table.

Simon Lewis takes a look at how Toulon and Leinster compare as they face each other in the European Champions Cup semi-final.

The Top 14’s financial watchdog this week released a report showing France’s top 30 clubs have an accumulated debt of almost €34 million — yet nobody here batted an eyelid, writes Ronan O’Gara.

With their Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon now just six days away, anticipation is building around the Leinster camp as they bid to reach their fourth top-tier European decider in just seven seasons.

Six things to keep an eye on in this year’s Six Nations

Toulon enjoyed the ideal preparation for their Heineken Cup semi-final with Munster with a 46-31 win over Perpignan in the Top 14.

Jimmy Gopperth, come on down.

Ian Madigan believes that pride in, and attachment to, their home province will prove to be the difference next Sunday when Leinster travel to take on Toulon’s European champions at the Stade Felix Mayo.

Now that Scotland have been taken care of, the stage is set for the serious business of The Grudge Match and Warren Gatland’s return to Ireland.

New Zealand 30 France 0

France 23 Scotland 16

Ireland 13 France 13

Deflated Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip has refused to criticise the decision not to award Ireland a potential match-winning penalty late on today.

Ireland 13 France 13

Ireland 13 France 13

Vincent Clerc accepts current Six Nations leaders England are the best team in the tournament this year while France, Ireland and the others are struggling to stay on terms.

For a team that has lost all three matches in this year’s Six Nations, the French have been remarkably positive as they prepare for what is undoubtedly going to be another bruising encounter against Ireland in Dublin this afternoon.

Peter O’Mahony has warned France not to expect Ireland to take a backward step in tomorrow’s clash of the vanquished at the Aviva Stadium.

France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre will abandon tradition and gladly settle for the most tedious of victories against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

France head coach Philippe Saint-André has dropped Francois Trinh-Duc for Saturday’s meeting with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium with the unpredictable Freddie Michalak returning to the number 10 jersey.

England 23 France 23

Alex Goode believes the superb conditioning evident during England’s RBS 6 Nations is a product of the frequently-maligned Aviva Premiership.

France 6 Wales 16

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has made two changes to the team beaten by Italy last weekend for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales in Paris.

Italy 23 France 18

Italy 23 France 18

Bernard Laporte watched his Toulon side humiliate Sale Sharks 62-0 — but admitted he was equally blown away by Clermont Auvergne’s showing in Dublin.

Saracens boss Mark McCall has targeted an across-the-board improvement from his team in tomorrow’s Heineken Cup clash against Munster.

Owen Farrell will start opposite fellow world player of the year nominee Dan Carter after being confirmed as England’s starting fly-half against New Zealand.

France 33 Australia 6

Frederic Michalak was today retained at fly-half for France as coach Philippe Saint-Andre made several changes ahead of Saturday’s clash with Australia in Paris.

With a clean sweep on their Southern Hemisphere tour, Scotland have gone a long way towards redemption after their World Cup and Six Nations disasters, but head coach Andy Robinson admits there is still a lot of work to do.

Frederic Michalak has been named in France’s squad for their two-match tour of Argentina next month.

Former France international Sebastien Chabal has confirmed he will move to Australia to play Super Rugby in the coming weeks.

England 32 Barbarians 38