Racing 92 owner and president Jacky Lorenzetti tried four times to persuade Ronan O’Gara to pass on a move to Super Rugby champions, the Crusaders, without success, the Munster and Ireland legend revealed last night.

Ronan O’Gara breaks down that Racing 92 match you fortunately missed...

Racing 92 and Stade Francais have announced that their proposed merger is off.

From where Munster was 18 months ago, things looked and felt a whole lot more positive from where I was sitting Tuesday night, writes Ronan O’Gara

They give the impression of having it all — the world’s most charismatic player, match-winners all over the pitch, and an Irish skills coach better versed than anyone else in the art of conquering Europe.

With Leinster the sole province flying the Irish flag in this weekend’s Champions Cup quarter-finals, it’s natural the thoughts of supporters of other teams are already turning to next season.

MY boss has a dream and all available evidence thus far indicates he is going to make it happen, writes Ronan O'Gara.

All Black great Dan Carter said the sheer quality of the players in France’s Top 14 was a key reason in him joining Racing Metro — but money was undoubtedly a factor too.

All’s well that ends well, then.

It’s the eve of an all-Irish Rabo Direct pro 12 final, again underlining just how strong the provincial game remains in this country.

The transfer of Ireland out-half Johnny Sexton to Racing Metro has acquainted Irish fans of the oval ball with a fact of life: A new breed of owner now holds sway in French rugby and they will allow little to get in their way.

French Top 14 club Racing Metro continue to distance themselves from strong indications in Ireland that a deal has been agreed with Leinster fly-half Jonny Sexton, with club president Jacky Lorenzetti suggesting yesterday he was negotiating with another international fly-half.

The French media is no wiser than the Irish about where Jonathan Sexton will be playing next season with Racing Metro president Jacky Lorenzetti denying a deal had been done.

Sexton made right call to go to France.

THEIRS is a name synonymous with French rugby. Formed as a sporting club of many different disciplines for the Parisian elite in 1882, Racing Club de France, alongside Stade Francais, dominated the early years of the French Championship before disappearing — like Stade — for the bones of a century until the emergence of the bow-tie wearing and champagne guzzling side of Franck Mesnel, Eric Blanc and Jean-Baptiste Lafond in the late ’80s.

It may be cold enough here in Paris to leave eskimos pining for the frozen tundra of their homelands but the hot air currently being generated by French rugby folk more than compensates for the polar conditions.

Former France international number eight Sebastien Chabal has revealed a breakdown in relations with coach Pierre Berbizier has led to his departure from Top 14 side Racing Metro.

CAN anyone stop the French Top 14 financial juggernaut? It’s a loaded question.

France rugby’s version of Manchester City have huge ambitions for the future, have dropped the good-time image and they also play in sky blue. Robert Kitson reports

England star Jonny Wilkinson is one of a number of high-profile targets of Racing Metro, the French club have confirmed.

CELESTIAL LIGHT, backed from some 6-4 to 9-10, landed the wagers with an extraordinary final flourish in the Graun Hill Mares Maiden Hurdle at Tramore yesterday.

BARRY GERAGHTY is set to team up with Back In Front in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday week.