The cash-rich Top 14 outfit Montpellier, has tabled an astonishing €840,000 a year offer to CJ Stander in a bid to turn his head and dissuade him from signing a new contract with Munster and the IRFU.

Leinster weathered the huge hits and the heavy bruising from Montpellier’s giants on Saturday – but the five points are what will leave the biggest mark after a winning start to their Champions Cup challenge.

Leinster are the side with three stars on their shirt, as triple winners of the European Cup, but Leo Cullen believes Montpellier boss Vern Cotter is under greater pressure to win this season’s title than he is.

It’s part of the gig. Meeting agents. There’s been quite a few in the past two weeks and I’m never sure whether I’m energised or anxious at the amount of money sloshing around in rugby.

Devin Toner says Leinster are bubbling to the boil at just the right time as they prepare to host moneybags Montpellier in the RDS this Saturday.

Exeter Chiefs may be the reigning Aviva Premiership champions but when it comes to Europe they are still looking to make their mark.

Leo Cullen may have enjoyed Leinster’s victory over old foes Munster but when it comes to Europe he knows his province cannot compete on the same terms as their English and French rivals.

Former Ulster scrum-half Ruan Pienaar has joined French Top 14 side Montpellier on a three-year deal. 

After the arm-wrestle, grind and brutality of last year’s 10-9 defeat in Paris, Ireland know the only way to avenge that loss to France is to roll up their sleeves and prepare for another intensely physical game of inches in Dublin this evening.

ONE scintilla of over-confidence and Ireland get undone at the Aviva tomorrow. One whiff of arrogance, that’s all it would take. There shouldn’t be, and I expect there won’t be. Because if the French bring their A game, I think they will win in Dublin.

France have called up Stade Français back-row Raphael Lakafia to replace Damien Chouly ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Ireland.

Ireland are facing a mental, as much as physical, test, writes Donal Lenihan.

Ben Youngs has urged England to continue rebuilding Twickenham into a fortress as they stand on the brink of a team-record 15th successive Test victory.

Not everything is rosy in Leinster’s garden.

Donal Lenihan looks ahead to Ireland's clash with France.

Ulster 38 Toulouse 0: Four times French giants Toulouse have visited Belfast, and each time left with the tails firmly stuck between their legs.

From the moment Ireland’s Call thundered out inside the Millennium Stadium it was obvious something special was in the air. Never had a chorus of anything but Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau reverberated under the roof of Cardiff’s iconic venue to such deafening levels.

Ireland 24 France 9: Let us delay talk of Argentina and quarter-finals for a moment, this victory over the French needs to be savoured.

France’s No 8 may be comparatively small, but Louis Picamoles has a habit of humiliating those who underestimate him

Pool D: France v Canada

It may be that France are unpredictable in most things, but there were few surprises yesterday when coach Philippe Saint-Andre made 12 changes to his side for tomorrow’s Pool D tie against Canada at Milton Keynes.

A tournament that has already captivated, thanks largely to Japan’s heroics, will hope to plug into the ultimate feelgood sporting event in modern English history when France and Romania meet in the Olympic Stadium’s first pool match this evening.

London’s Indian summer came to an abrupt end yesterday, but the slate skies and soft rain did little to dampen the sense of conviviality that permeated the mood around the French camp ahead of their second outing in Ireland’s Pool D tomorrow night.

France 32 Italy 10: There were just four minutes to go on Saturday night when Frederic Michalak’s number came up.

Ronan O’Gara believes assumptions Ireland will “take” France at Rugby World Cup is dangerous talk, and warns the French players have never been fitter during the Pierre Saint-Andre reign.

The sight of Louis Picamoles rampaging around Twickenham last weekend was a warning to Ireland of France’s burgeoning threat and Sean O’Brien is among those who believes ‘Les Bleus’ will be more dangerous than ever when they face Ireland at the Rugby World Cup.

As a learning exercise, Saturday’s fraught encounter against Scotland was far more beneficial for Ireland than the rather benign Welsh clash the previous week. Put it this way: Joe Schmidt will have gleaned much and identified far more ‘work-ons’ to keep him busy over the next fortnight.

Anthony Watson scored two tries and Jonny May also crossed as England opened preparations for the World Cup with an edgy 19-14 victory over France at Twickenham.

Charlie Mulqueen rates the Munster men's performance on the day.

Munster have been given a boost ahead of today’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Toulouse after captain Peter O’Mahony was included in Rob Penney’s team to face the four-time champions at Thomond Park (1:30pm).

Four quarter-finals, each with fascinating sub-plots. Our rugby analyst looks for the tell-tales indicators.

Munster are likely to take a gamble on captain Peter O’Mahony’s fitness when head coach Rob Penney names his starting line-up to face French powerhouse Toulouse in tomorrow’s Heineken Cup quarter-final at Thomond Park.