Connacht are preparing for a massive Biarritz backlash when the two sides clash in Parc des Sports Aguiléra this evening.

A heavy list of injuries and poor weather will not help Connacht’s hopes of claiming a home victory over French heavyweights Biarritz this evening.

Triple Grand Slam winner Gethin Jenkins has set his sights on extending Wales’ upward curve Down Under this summer.

Matthew Rees believes France will attempt to “bully” and “irritate” Wales as they attempt to claim the Grand Slam.

Sam Warburton is ready to lead Wales’ final push for the RBS 6 Nations title and Grand Slam glory tomorrow, declaring: “It will be the biggest game of my career.”

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has made five changes and one positional switch for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales in Cardiff.

England captain Chris Robshaw and full-back Ben Foden last night endorsed Stuart Lancaster’s bid to become the team’s full-time coach after a remarkable RBS 6 Nations triumph over France.

Ben Foden will always be indebted to France coach Philippe Saint-Andre for spotting his potential as an international full-back.

Captain Ross Ford believes a Scotland win in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland in Dublin is necessary for the squad to retain belief that they are moving in the right direction.

France half-backs Francois Trinh-Duc and Morgan Parra have been dropped for the RBS 6 Nations clash against England in Paris on Sunday.

Rob Kearney believes it’s imperative Ireland master the mental side of their game to beat the best sides in the world.

France have named an unchanged squad to face England in the RBS 6 Nations at the Stade de France on Sunday.

France have made two changes to the side that beat Scotland last time out for their rearranged RBS 6 Nations game with Ireland on Sunday.

France flanker Imanol Harinordoquy anticipates Scotland will provide a much sterner test for the Rugby World Cup finalists than many observers are anticipating in tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash at Murrayfield.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has named the same side that had been due to play Ireland 10 days ago for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland.

France have brought Imanol Harinordoquy into their team for Saturday’s Six Nations home clash against Ireland in one of four changes to the starting lineup from last weekend’s victory over Italy.

France have promoted Imanol Harinordoquy to their starting line-up as one of four changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland.

Vive la France.

There might well be a new broom brushing away the cobwebs of the Marc Lièvremont era but looking at Philippe Saint-André’s first XV as France coach, it’s not immediately clear if all that much has changed.

Centre Wesley Fofana will earn his first cap for France when they take on Italy in their RBS 6 Nations opener on Saturday.

NEW France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has included two uncapped players in his provisional 30-man squad for the RBS 6 Nations.

SUNDAY’S World Cup final was a pleasure to behold for many reasons, not least the honesty of endeavour and the sportsmanship on display from both sides.

NEW ZEALAND captain Richie McCaw hailed his team’s courage and desire after they ended 24 years of hurt by winning the closest final in World Cup history.

France coach Marc Lievremont has named an unchanged team for Sunday’s World Cup final against New Zealand in Auckland.

WALES’ World Cup squad have rallied behind their suspended skipper Sam Warburton after he was sent off during an agonising semi-final defeat against France on Saturday.

ADAM JONES may be a pivotal part of Wales’ bid to make history this morning (9am Irish time) by reaching their first World Cup final.

SHAUN EDWARDS has paid tribute to his boss Warren Gatland for following a “gut instinct” that could ultimately see Wales crowned world champions.

France coach Marc Lievremont has named an unchanged team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against Wales.

MARTIN JOHNSON believes any one of seven teams can win the Rugby World Cup — and he places England right at the heart of the pack.

FRANCE No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy hopes Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final with England will mark the start of the tournament for Les Bleus.

PLAYING old rivals France in a World Cup clash at Eden Park is the perfect scenario to become the first All Black to win 100 caps, New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said last night.

FRANCE coach Marc Lièvremont has sprung a major surprise by handing Morgan Parra a rare start at fly-half for this weekend’s pivotal World Cup Pool A clash against New Zealand.

France have made 11 changes for Sunday’s World Cup Pool A clash with Canada in Napier, with captain Thierry Dusautoir left out of the matchday 22.

HAVING quit rugby union for rugby league and then come back again, France centre Fabrice Estebanez has finally made up his mind what he wants to do: shine at the World Cup.

FRENCH scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili has warned the rest of the rugby giants his side can beat anyone to win the World Cup.

IRELAND coach Declan Kidney admitted his side “just have to get better” after Saturday night’s seven-point loss to France in Bordeaux.

BORDEAUX may be famed for its wine and lush countryside, but not too many of the current Irish squad have as many happy memories as the rest of us.

BORDEAUX may be famed for its wine and lush countryside, but not too many of the current Irish squad have as many happy memories as the rest of us.

Sebastien Chabal has been omitted from France’s provisional 32-man squad for the World Cup in September.

HEINEKEN Cup champions Toulouse booked a semi-final date with 2009 winners Leinster in Dublin after a thrilling 27-20 extra-time victory over Biarritz at Estadio Anoeta yesterday.

WALES went into Saturday’s game knowing they needed to beat France by 27 points to snatch the Six Nations title from England.

IT’S been a week the French will want to forget. Vilified in the press, ashamed to walk down the streets and bubbling with tension since their shock loss to Italy last week.

France coach Marc Lievremont has made five changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations finale against Wales in Paris.