The Irish provincial video analysts will be busily plugging into footage of the French Top 14 ahead of this season’s European Champions Cup. All four representatives have been handed French assignments over the next three months - with Connacht getting a double helping.

Openside flanker TJ Ioane dismissed the suggestion earlier this week that the Pacific Islanders would be preparing a special welcome for Ireland's Kiwi-born centre with Samoan roots

Stephen Larkham has been labelled a “signature signing” for Munster and one that can help the province’s talented backline to click and the team to reconnect with a style that delivered a pair of Heineken Cups.

Mike Prendergast has been appointed as Racing 92's new attack coach.

The frustration Leinster players and coaches felt after last weekend was absolute. That stuff is hard to internalise. You can’t have enough of those stars on your shirt.

Munster's strength and conditioning coach PJ Wilson seems set to follow Jerry Flannery and Felix Jones out the door this summer.

Paul O’Connell’s stay in Paris with Stade Francais will end once this season is done, it is understood.

The arrival of Simon Zebo and Paul O’Connell in Paris this summer may have grabbed most attention but another former Ireland international Donnacha Ryan is determined to make a mark in the French capital this season.

It’s a case of friends reunited for Paul O’Connell, after the 38 year-old Munster and Ireland legend confirmed yesterday he is to move to Paris and take up as role as forwards coach with Stade Francais.

Ronan O’Gara may have coached across town in Paris with Racing 92, but he was quick to acknowledge Stade Francais’ coup in signing up his old Munster colleague Paul O’Connell.

Five miles outside the bustling city of Sydney is Coogee, a beautiful beach area with little, winding streets and cafes with coffee to die for.

Connacht will hope that a home win over a 15th different French club at the Sportsground today will not only confirm a home quarter-final in the Challenge Cup but might also be enough to ensure a potential semi-final would also be back in Galway.

Brive 27 Castres 22: Veteran captain Rodrigo Capo Ortega and experienced scrum-half Rory Kockott are expected to return for Castres for Sunday’s Champions Cup open clash with Munster after missing this surprise loss at Stade Amedee Domenech on Saturday evening.

Chris Farrell did not need his arm twisted when the chance to move back from France to Ireland was presented to him in the form of a contract offer from Munster.

Bernard Jackman said he will leave Grenoble with great memories and experiences after his five-year coaching stint with the French club came to an end yesterday.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Last August, when Andrew Farley returned to Galway as Grenoble team manager for a pre-season clash with Connacht, he was chuffed to be inducted into the Hall of Fame by the home supporters.

Shane O’Leary will complete a loop of a remarkable journey on Saturday night when he lines out at out-half for Connacht against Grenoble in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

The growing Munster contingent in Pau is settling into life in the top flight in France and showed at the weekend they have what it takes to cut it amongst the best in the richest rugby league in the world.

Mike Prendergast knows France pretty well by now. 

The fixtures for next season’s Guinness Pro12 are expected to be announced next week, with the competition kicking off on the first weekend of September.

Paul O’Connell may harbour ambitions to live and work in France but for now the Ireland captain believes he has no option but to see out the remaining year on his IRFU contract.

Ronan O’Gara and Jonathan Sexton’s first season in France will come to an end next weekend unless they can defeat Toulouse away in the first of the play-offs for the Top 14.

Mike Prendergast believes Anthony Foley is the right man to take over from Rob Penney as Munster coach.

James Hart was woken early yesterday morning.

The battle of Ireland’s rugby exports to France went the way of Bernard Jackman and Mike Prendergast on Saturday.

St. Mary's College 44 Young Munster 24

Young Munster 18 Shannon 0

Young Munster 18 Shannon 0

Former Munster scrum-half Mike Prendergast has become the latest Irish coach to head abroad after taking up a position with Grenoble in France.

Dolphin 23 Young Munster 10

Paul O’Connell is edging closer to being available for Munster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Harlequins at The Stoop on April 7.