France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has relegated powerful centre Mathieu Bastareaud to the bench for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales in Paris.

Racing Metro 13 ASM Clermont Auvergne 13: Johnny Sexton expressed his bemusement with the French Top 14 countdown clock for goal-kicking after he was penalised for taking too long over a penalty in Racing Metro’s drawn league game with Clermont.

Leigh Halfpenny says Wales will carry their Twickenham "hurt" of last season into tomorrow night’s RBS 6 Nations opener against England.

Leicester captain Ed Slater refuses to cast his Tigers as underdogs when they challenge Clermont’s supremacy at the Stade Marcel Michelin today.

Clermont Auvergne 36 Montpellier 14

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has called up Toulouse wing Maxime Medard and Perpignan lock Sebastien Vahaamahina to his squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has made two changes to his squad for the upcoming RBS 6 Nations fixture against Ireland, as Les Bleus battle to avoid the wooden spoon.

England 23 France 23

Munster sensation Simon Zebo, inset, and Ulster’s Rory Best are the only Irish players in contention for the ERC European Player of the Year Award.

Six Nations

Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud has been recalled to France’s preliminary RBS 6 Nations squad but there is no place for Toulouse winger Maxime Medard.

France 33 Australia 6

Frederic Michalak has been named in France’s squad for their two-match tour of Argentina next month.

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall put English rugby’s European failure down to the gulf in the salary cap between the Aviva Premiership and the rest.

Saracens rugby director Mark McCall is hoping his side can push on from the quarter-finals and become one of Europe’s elite clubs.

Matthew Rees believes France will attempt to “bully” and “irritate” Wales as they attempt to claim the Grand Slam.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has made five changes and one positional switch for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales in Cardiff.

England captain Chris Robshaw and full-back Ben Foden last night endorsed Stuart Lancaster’s bid to become the team’s full-time coach after a remarkable RBS 6 Nations triumph over France.

Ben Foden will always be indebted to France coach Philippe Saint-Andre for spotting his potential as an international full-back.

Rob Kearney believes it’s imperative Ireland master the mental side of their game to beat the best sides in the world.

France have named an unchanged squad to face England in the RBS 6 Nations at the Stade de France on Sunday.

France have made two changes to the side that beat Scotland last time out for their rearranged RBS 6 Nations game with Ireland on Sunday.

France flanker Imanol Harinordoquy anticipates Scotland will provide a much sterner test for the Rugby World Cup finalists than many observers are anticipating in tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash at Murrayfield.

Vive la France.

ULSTER boss Brian McLaughlin was a man of mixed emotions on Saturday.

NEW France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has included two uncapped players in his provisional 30-man squad for the RBS 6 Nations.

ULSTER coach Brian McLaughlin admitted he was totally exhausted and mentally drained after his side came back from the dead to get their Heineken Cup challenge off to awinning start.

NEW ZEALAND captain Richie McCaw hailed his team’s courage and desire after they ended 24 years of hurt by winning the closest final in World Cup history.

France coach Marc Lievremont has named an unchanged team for Sunday’s World Cup final against New Zealand in Auckland.

WALES’ World Cup squad have rallied behind their suspended skipper Sam Warburton after he was sent off during an agonising semi-final defeat against France on Saturday.

ADAM JONES may be a pivotal part of Wales’ bid to make history this morning (9am Irish time) by reaching their first World Cup final.

SHAUN EDWARDS has paid tribute to his boss Warren Gatland for following a “gut instinct” that could ultimately see Wales crowned world champions.

France coach Marc Lievremont has named an unchanged team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against Wales.

FRANCE No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy hopes Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final with England will mark the start of the tournament for Les Bleus.

PLAYING old rivals France in a World Cup clash at Eden Park is the perfect scenario to become the first All Black to win 100 caps, New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said last night.

France have made 11 changes for Sunday’s World Cup Pool A clash with Canada in Napier, with captain Thierry Dusautoir left out of the matchday 22.

HAVING quit rugby union for rugby league and then come back again, France centre Fabrice Estebanez has finally made up his mind what he wants to do: shine at the World Cup.

BORDEAUX may be famed for its wine and lush countryside, but not too many of the current Irish squad have as many happy memories as the rest of us.

BORDEAUX may be famed for its wine and lush countryside, but not too many of the current Irish squad have as many happy memories as the rest of us.

Sebastien Chabal has been omitted from France’s provisional 32-man squad for the World Cup in September.

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

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont said he was at a “dead end” following Saturday’s shock defeat by Italy in the Six Nations.

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.