Three key areas where Munster must impose themselves this evening

It is a common reaction.

Three key areas of confrontation at the Aviva today

SO, the only two sides in the Six Nations showing a degree of consistency are at opposite ends of the table.

Will cautious Philippe Saint-Andre let multi-talented backline express themselves?

IN A week when we all became more knowledgeable about French rugby in the wake of Jonny Sexton’s big move to Racing Metro, pressure continues to mount on national coach Philippe Saint-André to win the Six Nations with what is regarded as the strongest squad in the competition.

If Ireland were glad to have avoided the southern hemisphere’s big guns and dangerous sides in band three, it was clear the French and Italians were equally as relieved to have been pooled with the Irish.

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.

Jonathan Sexton received support from an unusual quarter yesterday, as France out-half Francois Trinh-Duc admitted he can empathise with the Leinster man’s struggles to make the Ireland number 10 jersey his own.

Sometimes teams make the mistake of paying France too much respect

Time is a healer, they say, but have Ireland had enough hours, minutes and seconds to put right the wrongs of last Sunday’s effort and produce a performance against France tonight in Paris?

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.

Vive la France.

Declan Kidney has often been criticised for being too conservative, but at least there’s plenty back-up if things aren’t working out.

There might well be a new broom brushing away the cobwebs of the Marc Lièvremont era but looking at Philippe Saint-André’s first XV as France coach, it’s not immediately clear if all that much has changed.

The eve of the championship. Whichever sport is your passion, the coming of a new season is a heady mix of emotions.

They may be the new boys in the Six Nations coaching club but for Philippe Saint-André, Jacques Brunel and Stuart Lancaster that is where the similarities end.

There is a strange sense of Groundhog Day about Ireland’s opening two fixtures in this season’s RBS Six Nations Championship.

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

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

THE worst kept secret from the Rugby World Cup has emerged after French number eight Imanol Harinordoquy admitted the players largely overlooked “lost” coach Marc Lievremont to reach the final.

France have been fined €2,870 for advancing on the New Zealand haka before Sunday’s World Cup final, the International Rugby Board have confirmed.

DEFLATED French hooker Dimitri Szarzewski claimed his side were “playing 15 against 16” in their Rugby World Cup final defeat against New Zealand due to the passionate home support in Auckland.

MARC LIEVREMONT admitted he could not have asked for any more from his players after they went agonisingly close to destroying New Zealand’s World Cup dream.

THE All Blacks never forgave Stephen Donald for the missed touch kick which ultimately condemned them to defeat by Australia in Hong Kong this time last year.

Marc Lievremont admitted he could not have asked for any more from his players after they went agonisingly close to destroying New Zealand’s World Cup dream.

France 7 New Zealand 8

SINCE Graham Henry took over the All Blacks in 2004, they have an 85% winning record in tests.

AS the eldest of eight children, Marc Lievremont’s robust style in coaching the French rugby squad should perhaps surprise nobody.

France wing Vincent Clerc insists that Sunday’s showdown with host nation New Zealand is “a dream final” for Les Bleus.

Morgan Parra has admitted the French players have been hurt by stinging criticism surrounding their appearance in Sunday’s World Cup final against New Zealand.

DRAMA seems to follow this French team like a bad smell. It’s not enough that manager Marc Lievremont has blasted his players, and the players ignore his every public word.

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

IS IT possible that the Tinkerman will have the last laugh?

MARC LIEVREMONT blasted a section of his France squad as “spoilt brats” after he discovered some players went out to celebrate their World Cup semi-final win against Wales.

James Hook started at fly-half in place of the injured Rhys Priestland as Wales clashed with France for a place in their first ever Rugby World Cup final.

1. Half-back mastery

WALES rugby boss Roger Lewis has warned off possible suitors of coach Warren Gatland following a stunning World Cup run that threatens to make the New Zealander a man in demand.

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.

PROP Jean-Baptiste Poux thinks his team’s resurgence at the Rugby World Cup has happened mainly because it stopped trying too hard to copy other teams, and simply got back to doing things the French way.

WALES are daring to dream after arriving in Auckland yesterday with 80 minutes against France lying between them and the Rugby World Cup final.

France head coach Marc Lievremont revelled in his side's 19-12 Rugby World Cup quarter-final victory over England today and immediately began looking towards next week's last-four clash with Wales.

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont believes he has an international consensus to boot England out of the rugby World Cup.