CLERMONT AUVERGNE picked up their first win of this season’s Heineken Cup in some style as they put Aironi to the sword in a one-sided clash at Stade Marcel Michelin last night.

Clermont Auvergne 28 Racing Metro 17

JOE SCHMIDT wasn’t interested in talk of a ‘good defeat’ but this was surely the closest thing to it.

Clermont 20 Leinster 13

Leinster 29 Clermont Auvergne 28

Leinster 29 Clermont Auvergne 28

IF Martin Johnson needed any reassurance the anguish of developing a new England team can ultimately be worth it, he need only listen to Marc Lievremont.

Marc Lievremont has reassured French fans that Mathieu Bastareaud is fit to face Italy and has only been named on the bench in order to allow him such much-needed rest.

FRANCE wing Julien Malzieu has urged his team-mates to attack from the word go against Italy on Sunday, insisting Les Bleus “do not have the right” to lose their penultimate RBS 6 Nations clash.

RYAN JONES readily admits Wales have been on an emotional rollercoaster during this season’s Six Nations Championship.

France hooker William Servat has warned his team-mates against the danger of underestimating Wales ahead of tomorrow night’s RBS 6 Nations clash at the Millennium Stadium.

France centre Yannick Jauzion has urged his team-mates to maintain their focus ahead of Friday night’s game against Wales as they bid to continue their march to the RBS 6 Nations title.

Clermont Auvergne 27 Ospreys 7

Italy 8 France 50

FRANCE head coach Marc Lievremont admits his team could be embarrassed by Italy on Saturday if they fail to improve on the “mediocrity” they have shown so far in the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Ireland 30 France 21

Ireland enter their 2009 RBS 6 nations opener against France today in the unusual position of being favourites for the fixture.

FRENCH ace Julien Malzieu says France must “be creative” against Ireland today in Croke Park.

CLERMONT AUVERGNE saw their faint Heineken Cup hopes extinguished despite a comprehensive bonus point victory against Montauban in the all-French Pool One clash at Stade Marcel Michelin last night.

Munster 23 Clermont Auvergne 13

CLERMONT Auvergne wing Julien Malzieu believes that Sunday’s visit of Heineken Cup holders Munster is a match which is the French club’s “for the taking”.

Julien Malzieu saw France’s two-year hold on the RBS 6 Nations Championship title slip with a defeat to rejuvenated Wales – but the winger insists Les Bleus should be satisfied with their progress in the tournament.

JULIEN MALZIEU saw France’s two-year hold on the RBS 6 Nations Championship title slip with a defeat to rejuvenated Wales, but the winger insists Les Bleus should be satisfied with their progress in the tournament.

FRANCE captain Lionel Nallet preferred to dwell on his team’s victory over Italy rather than the prospect of registering a heavy win against Wales next weekend to retain the RBS 6 Nations Championship title.

MARC LIEVREMONT insists France are by no means the finished article after making six changes to the line-up that dismantled Scotland for Saturday’s clash with Ireland.

Marc Lievremont insists France are by no means the finished article after making six changes to the line-up that dismantled Scotland for Saturday's clash with Ireland.

AHEAD of Ireland’s visit to France next Saturday French winger Julien Malzieu says he was “disappointed” with Ireland’s uninspiring win over Italy.

NEW-LOOK France got their RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign off to the perfect start with an impressive victory against lacklustre Scotland at Murrayfield.

Scotland 6 France 27

MARC LIEVREMONT didn’t take long to usher in a new dawn in French rugby yesterday by naming six uncapped players in a much-changed squad for the Six Nations Championship opener against Scotland.

Munster have secured a bonus point in a 26-19 loss to Clermont Auvergne that almost certainly sends the French side out of the 2007/8 Heineken Cup.

LAWRENCE Dallaglio admits European champions Wasps “have to do the business” on Saturday after suffering their biggest Heineken Cup defeat for almost six years.

Clermont Auvergne 48 Llanelli 21

Clermont Auvergne 22 Bath 16

Clermont Auvergne 27 Leicester 40

France today won their first IRB Sevens tournament after a fine comeback against Fiji clinched them home glory in Paris.