PERCEPTIONS can really mess with the head sometimes.

SEBASTIEN CHABAL was left out of France’s provisional World Cup squad for sporting rather than political reasons, national team boss Marc Lievremont declared.

Sebastien Chabal was left out of France’s provisional World Cup squad for sporting rather than political reasons, according to national team boss Marc Lievremont.

Toulouse coach Guy Novès has made four changes to his side, from the one that defeated Biarritz in their Heineken Cup quarter-final clash in San Sebastian, for tomorrow’s last four match with Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, kick-off 3.30pm.

GORDON D’ARCY has vowed he won’t be beaten in a one-on-one defensive scenario for the remainder of his rugby career, as he consigns the painful memories of the French defeat to the past.

France coach Marc Lievremont today admitted his regret at an outburst following Saturday's defeat by Italy in which he suggested several players may not represent Les Bleus again.

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

ANDREW SHERIDAN will miss the climax of England’s Grand Slam quest after it was confirmed the calf injury he suffered against France will keep him sidelined for at least a month.

FRANCE centre Yannick Jauzion is determined to take his chance in today’s Six Nations showdown and put “arrogant” England in their place.

FOR all the management teams, the Six Nations has now become a three-phase operation, with the key objective to be still in contention for honours when the final round of games are staged.

France coach Marc Lievremont has sprung a major surprise ahead of his side’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Scotland in Paris by picking Damien Traille at full-back and leaving star centre Yannick Jauzion out of his matchday 22.

Wasps 21 Toulouse 16

GLASGOW WARRIORS’ French misery continued as their European dreams were shattered following a 36-10 loss to Toulouse last night.

Glasgow Warriors 16 Toulouse 28

FRANCE centre Yannick Jauzion insists there will be no complacency against Argentina today after admitting Les Bleus may have taken the South Americans lightly in the past.

Mathieu Bastareaud has been left out of France’s squad for their upcoming internationals against Fiji, Argentina and Australia.

THE waiting is over.

THE external bruises from his date with the Cardiff Blues were there for all to see, steri-strips acting as a poor camouflage for yet another cut and bloodied right eye.

Toulouse 26 Leinster 16

BYRON KELLEHER has warned three-time Heineken Cup champions Toulouse to raise their level of performance despite a crushing 42-16 quarter-final win over rivals Stade Francais at Le Stadium yesterday.

Toulouse 42 Stade Francais 16

IF Martin Johnson needed any reassurance the anguish of developing a new England team can ultimately be worth it, he need only listen to Marc Lievremont.

FRANCE defence coach Dave Ellis was delighted with his side’s six-try show against Italy as Les Bleus remained on course for the Grand Slam.

France 46 Italy 20

FRANCE centre Yannick Jauzion has urged his team-mates to maintain their focus ahead of tomorrow night’s game against Wales as they bid to continue their march to the RBS 6 Nations title.

France centre Yannick Jauzion has urged his team-mates to maintain their focus ahead of Friday night’s game against Wales as they bid to continue their march to the RBS 6 Nations title.

France 33 Ireland 10

IN THE final game of the 2002 Six Nations championship, Ireland faced France. It was Eddie O’Sullivan’s first year as head of Ireland’s coaching team and spirits were high.

BACK from injury and looking “big, strong and fit,” Stephen Ferris last night gave Ireland a massive Six Nations boost by presenting himself for duty ahead of tomorrow’s Stade de France rendezvous with France.

FRANCE coach Marc Lièvremont was reluctant to talk up comeback king Mathieu Bastareaud ahead of Ireland’s forthcoming trip to Paris, despite the Stade Francais man announcing his return to the international stage with a brace of tries yesterday.

FRANCE centre Yannick Jauzion insists Les Bleus cannot afford to make the same mistakes as last year when they take on Scotland in their RBS Six Nations opener tomorrow.

France centre Yannick Jauzion insists Les Bleus cannot afford to make the same mistakes as last year when they take on Scotland in their RBS 6 Nations opener on Sunday.

SALE director of rugby Kingsley Jones felt poor discipline had cost his side victory against Toulouse at Edgeley Park.

NEW ZEALAND yesterday filed an official complaint over what they believe was an eye-gouge on prop Tony Woodcock following their crushing win over France in Marseilles on Saturday.

France 43 Samoa 5

Ireland 30 France 21

Ireland enter their 2009 RBS 6 nations opener against France today in the unusual position of being favourites for the fixture.

FRANCE go into their opening RBS Six Nations match against Ireland on Saturday week with little experience at half-back after Jean-Baptiste Elissalde was surprisingly omitted from their trimmed-down 23-man squad.

Imanol Harinordoquy has been named in France’s 23-man squad for their opening two matches of the RBS 6 Nations Championship, against Ireland and Scotland.

Toulouse 26 Newport Gwent Dragons 7

Glasgow 16 Toulouse 22

BUTCH JAMES insists Bath will learn from their last-gasp Heineken Cup defeat away to Toulouse yesterday.

Toulouse 18 Bath 16