Shaun Edwards’ decision to join France’s new-look coaching set-up after the World Cup was rumoured for so long that it was far from a surprise when it was finally confirmed. But it still raised a few eyebrows.

Ah, France. A rugby cliche-magnet, if ever there was one.

No room at the top — touch of farce as France load up on off-field leaders after a disappointing Six Nations. But who is really in charge, asks James Harrington

Daniel Storey reviews the weekend's Premier League action.

Manchester City have always been artists under Pep Guardiola, painting beautiful pictures on the pitch.

The PFA Team of the Season was dominated by Manchester City and Liverpool players (plus Paul Pogba). But Daniel Storey's selection spreads the recognition a shade wider.

Football — bloody hell, as a Manchester manager once said after a Champions League match of the highest drama.

Joe Schmidt was French Rugby President Bernard Laporte's first choice to be appointed as the new head coach of Les Bleus.

French Rugby president Bernard Laporte has kicked to touch on the possibility of Ronan O'Gara being part of the country's World Cup coaching ticket, insisting it's a call for head coach Jacques Brunel.

The possibility of Ronan O'Gara being part of France's backroom team for the 2019 World Cup has increased with French Rugby Federation sources in Paris confirmed the Munster and Ireland legend was "under consideration."

So it’s over to you, Liverpool.

The pace and intensity of City’s front three was so impressive, so ferocious, that this time they looked a step ahead of Liverpool’s equivalent.

Were Liverpool’s last three results a reasonable pointer or yet another wicked tease for City fans used to minute crumbs from trips to this part of the world?

Southampton 0 Man City 1

Man City 3 Brighton 1

Pep Guardiola claims his “extraordinary” and “exceptional” Manchester City side will not give up in their quest to overturn the odds against Liverpool.

A stirring second-half fightback from the Ireland Under-20s fell short as fortune favoured France in a 34-24 Six Nations win for the hosts in Bordeaux.

He may have lost Leroy Sane to injury and been priced out of his quest for Riyad Mahrez but if that represented a bad week for Pep Guardiola in his Manchester City wonderland, normal service was quickly resumed on the field last night.

We were barely beyond the final rounds of the Champions Cup before the mind games — with Eddie Jones as always to the fore — at the Six Nations launch in London last week reminded us that the main course is about to land in our laps pretty soon, writes Donal Lenihan.

Manchester City have not ruled out making a deadline-day bid for Leicester playmaker Riyad Mahrez.

A few big-money Premier League transfers are expected to go through before deadline day.

Riyad Mahrez has emerged as a potential late target for Manchester City in the January transfer window.

Kevin De Bruyne previously held the club record.

Athletic Bilbao have announced that the buy-out clause in Aymeric Laporte's contract has been paid, with the defender now seemingly on the verge of joining Manchester City.

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.

Racing’s vast resources are best illustrated by the options available to their management in the second row alone compared to Johann van Graan, writes Donal Lenihan.

New Zealand apart, the order of world rugby is changing rapidly, says Donal Lenihan

Is there any particular autumn international I’d buy a ticket for?

All’s fair in love and war and, it seems, the bidding process for major sporting events.

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

Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has angrily denied allegations of doping made against the triple European champions.

Leinster will be burdened by massive regrets this week as they somehow attempt to patch themselves up for an unforgiving five-day turnaround with the season-defining outing against Ulster in Belfast on Friday night.

European Champions Cup Pool 3

Ulster number eight Roger Wilson admits they struggled to get to grips with a rampant Toulon side in record 60-22 European defeat.

Jonny Wilkinson will play his final game on British shores this weekend lauded as a "once-in-a-generation" talent.

The ERC has assured supporters that Stade Velodrome in Marseille is ready to stage Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final despite a massivere development programme which is nearing completion.

Jonny Wilkinson looks set to be fit to play against Munster in Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final after coming through training without any reaction to a hamstring injury yesterday.

Having already lost inspirational captain Peter O’Mahony for the business end of the season, Rob Penney will be mindful of making sure his key personnel are fresh and raring to go when Munster set out to upset the odds once again by toppling Heineken Cup champions Toulon in Marseille on Sunday week.

Toulon coach Bernard Laporte wants his side to end Brian O’Driscoll’s career to earn payback for the way he started it when the two men first met 14 years ago.

Toulon coach Bernard Laporte believes the arrival of Jonathan Sexton in France is a huge boost to the Top 14. The former French coach, who led Toulon to Heineken Cup glory in May, reckons Sexton will thrive in his career with Racing Metro.