NINE months ago, Munster full-back Felix Jones was left to ponder his rugby future after a sickening and career-threatening injury in the Magners League clash with Connacht at Thomond Park.

DENIS LEAMY has had his status as stand-in skipper to the injured Paul O’Connell confirmed with the announcement that he is to lead Munster into Magners League battle against Aironi at Musgrave Park tomorrow (7.30pm).

Perpignan 29 Northampton Saints 13

PHILIPPE Saint Andre has urged Sale Sharks not to undermine the “massive achievement” of beating French giants Clermont Auvergne, by losing their Heineken Cup showdown against holders Munster.

England star Jonny Wilkinson produced a superb wet-weather display of goal-kicking to lead Newcastle to a European Challenge Cup victory over Brive at the Parc Municipal des Sports.

New Zealand 61 France 10

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has made six changes to his starting line-up for the second Test against France in Wellington on Saturday.

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of South African centre Rudi Keil on a two-year contract from Guinness Premiership rivals Gloucester.

France head coach Bernard Laporte has made seven changes for his side’s clash with New Zealand in Paris on Saturday.

NEW Zealand head coach Graham Henry believes the 47-3 mauling of France shows his side are in perfect shape for next year’s World Cup.

France have drafted flanker Serge Betsen and full-back Pepito Elhorga into their squad for next weekend’s second Test against New Zealand in Paris.

Munster 19 Perpignan 10

ALTHOUGH the Munster management remained tight-lipped on the subject, it has emerged that Ronan O’Gara is a major doubt for Munster’s Heineken Cup quarter final against Perpignan at Lansdowne Road this evening (5.30pm).

MUNSTER second row Mick O’Driscoll has warned his colleagues not to take his old club Perpignan lightly in the Heineken Cup quarter final.

FRANCE coach Bernard Laporte has made a number of changes to his starting line-up to face Tonga in Toulouse on Saturday as Les Bleus look to make it three wins out of three.

France coach Bernard Laporte has named Saracens utility player Thomas Castaignede in his line-up for Saturday’s Test match against Canada in Nantes.

Australia 37 France 31

FRANCE COACH Bernard Laporte has made several changes for the clash with Australia in Brisbane on Saturday with his side looking to bounce back from the dismal 27-13 defeat to South Africa last weekend.

Pau 37 Brive 16

France’s hopes of defending their RBS 6 Nations crown evaporated in a 10-minute spell at home to eventual champions Wales, according to national team coach Bernard Laporte.

Italy 13 France 56

Italy 10 France 24

France will stick with the side that beat Ireland for their final RBS 6 Nations game against Italy at the Stadio Flamini on Saturday.

FRANCE were in a different class at Lansdowne Road on Saturday and Ireland were lucky their opponents still haven’t learned to play flat-out for 80 minutes. Otherwise it could have been very embarrassing.

France lead Ireland by 18 points to nine after two excellent tries and a textbook conversion followed opening scores.

France full-back Julien Laharrague is hoping he impressed enough on his international debut to be retained for Les Bleus’ next RBS 6 Nations clash against Ireland on March 12.

France 18 Wales 24

THE flair factor could prove the deciding factor in the clash of two unbeaten sides in Paris today as Six Nations Grand Slam holders France host a resurgent Welsh outfit.

WALES coach Mike Ruddock last night urged his team to “be bold” in their crunch RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against unbeaten title rivals France on Saturday.

FRANCE COACH Bernard Laporte has made four changes to the starting line-up from the one that beat England 18-17 for Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Wales in Paris.

Brive full-back Julien Laharrague will make his France debut against Wales after being included by coach Bernard Laporte in the starting line-up for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Test at the Stade de France.

FRANCE’S second-half revival to beat England on Sunday has not stopped coach Bernard Laporte making several changes.

France’s second-half revival to beat England on Sunday has not stopped coach Bernard Laporte making several changes.

Brive 31 Saracens 16 (after extra time)

Saracens 19 Brive 6