Police raided the headquarters of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) yesterday as part of an investigation into alleged conflict of interest involving the federation’s president Bernard Laporte, a source close to the matter said.

Now I get it. After my maiden visit to Sandy Park, nestled in the picturesque city of Exeter, I understand why Donncha O’Callaghan has described the reigning Aviva Premiership champions as everyone’s second favourite team in England, says Donal Lenihan.

As statements go this was as big as they get.

Time and again, Leo Cullen has teed up a Champions League tie as a meeting of opposites.

Former British and Lions coach Ian McGeechan says the 2017 tourists “need all six games” in the build-up to the first Test in New Zealand.

Johnny Sexton had suffered a few knockouts in his time but never one like this — sitting on a chair in a Paris suburb just off the peripherique.

Never mind which Irish province will win the Heineken Cup, which of the three Irish coaches still involved in the tournament has the best chance of guiding his side to European glory?

It’s been 12 years since Ulster’s Heineken Cup success, and the same since they made the knockout phase of the competition. Too long, says the province’s stalwarts. Brendan O’Brien took the temperature ahead of Sunday’s clash with Northampton

Ireland Under-21 coach Mark McCall will succeed Alan Solomons at Ulster in a three-year deal starting on July 1.

THE untimely death of Tyrone football captain Cormac McAnallen has brought the role of sport in life’s journey into sharp focus for Irish winger Tyrone Howe.

FORMER Ireland international Mark McCall is favourite to be appointed Ulster coach when Alan Solomons leaves for Northampton Saints.

Lansdowne 18 Dungannon 15

THE SQUALLS had returned when Leinster convened for their long day of training in Donnybrook on Monday but Eric Miller wasn’t for clouding over.

Buccaneers will have seven of their 10-man Connacht contingent on deck now that the Connacht-Ulster warm-up has been cancelled for the visit of Lansdowne.

Munster have found the European Cup semi-final warm-up match they were after - they face a 'Rest of Ireland' team at Thomond Park in Limerick on Good Friday.