If Guy Noves has a grand plan to restore France to former glories, than the former Toulouse supremo is implementing one step and one game at a time.

Rory Best admitted Ireland blew a "massive opportunity" for victory in France that could well end their hopes of a third consecutive RBS 6 Nations title.

Ireland's five-match unbeaten run against France came to a punishing end as Guy Noves' side edged home a tight Six Nations encounter at Stade de France today.

Goodbyes can be painful, as we all know, but when Brian O’Driscoll’s romance with Test rugby finally came to an end in Paris, parting proved such sweet sorrow.

If Brian O’Driscoll is expecting a teary-eyed farewell from the 80-odd thousand at the Stade de France today, then he may well get his wish.

Scotland 17 France 19

France 26 England 24

Connacht 9 Toulouse 37

Connacht 9 Toulouse 37

France 23 Scotland 16

France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre will abandon tradition and gladly settle for the most tedious of victories against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

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.

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.

Ospreys 17 Toulouse 6

France’s RBS 6 Nations hopes have been rocked by the news that full-back Maxime Medard has been ruled out for up to nine months with a serious knee ligament injury.

France coach Philippe Saint-André has confirmed full-back Maxime Medard will miss the RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland on Sunday with a knee injury.

France have called up Clement Poitrenaud after full-back Maxime Medard was ruled out of Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash againstIreland with a knee injury.

French fullback Maxime Medard will miss the RBS 6 Nations match against Ireland at the Stade de France on Sunday due to a knee injury he sustained in the 23-17 win over Scotland yesterday.

Scotland wing Rory Lamont suffered a suspected broken leg in the 23-17 RBS 6 Nations loss to France at Murrayfield yesterday.

Scotland 17 France 23

Full-back Stuart Hogg will make his first Test start today as Scotland look to revive their RBS 6 Nations campaign against Rugby World Cup finalists France.

Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France was tonight given the go-ahead after the Stade de France passed a pitch inspection by referee Dave Pearson.

France have brought Imanol Harinordoquy into their team for Saturday’s Six Nations home clash against Ireland in one of four changes to the starting lineup from last weekend’s victory over Italy.

France have promoted Imanol Harinordoquy to their starting line-up as one of four changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland.

GLOUCESTER floored Heineken Cup heavyweights Toulouse at Kingsholm after a brilliant performance inspired by their try-hungry backs.

IN A game that was always about a performance, not the result, Connacht fulfilled their brief.

Toulouse 24 Connacht 3

HARLEQUINS’ record 14-match unbeaten run came to a halt at The Stoop last night after they were overpowered by four-time Heineken Cup champions Toulouse.

Connacht 10 Toulouse 36

THE one area of consistent performance from the unpredictable French has been the solidity of their set piece.

FT: Wales 8 France 9

France 19 England 12

MARTIN JOHNSON believes any one of seven teams can win the Rugby World Cup — and he places England right at the heart of the pack.

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont was “satisfied” after seeing his side claim a second straight bonus-point win in Pool A with a 46-19 success over Canada in Napier.

FRANCE coach Marc Lièvremont has thrown down the gauntlet to his players ahead of Saturday’s World Cup warm-up with Ireland in Bordeaux by declaring that Les Bleus are now in “competition mode”.

Biarritz forward Raphael Lakafia will make his France debut against Ireland in Bordeaux on Saturday.

KEITH EARLS is looking for the world class performance he believes Ireland are capable of in Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations joust with Scotland at Murrayfield.

JULIEN BONNAIRE has promised there will be no fear in the France ranks when Marc Lievremont’s troops run out at Twickenham tomorrow.

France tonight suffered a blow to their preparations for Saturday’s clash with England when full-back Maxime Medard was ruled out.

Julien Bonnaire has promised there will be no fear in the France ranks when Marc Lievremont’s troops run out at Twickenham on Saturday.

France full-back Maxime Medard is “99%” certain he will be fit to play in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with England.