LONG regarded as Munster’s 16th man, the province’s fans were pinpointed as the crucial difference between the sides on Saturday by Biarritz’s scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili.

THIS is the day when the 16th man will REALLY make his presence felt!

Munster star Ronan O’Gara has rejected notions of French champions Biarritz being a dour and uninspiring team as the sides prepare for a Heineken Cup final showdown in Cardiff tomorrow.

Anthony Foley believes the pain of previous Heineken Cup final defeats will inspire Munster to glory in Saturday’s showdown with Biarritz.

Biarritz 11 Sale 6

Olivier Magne and Raphael Ibanez are aiming to provide the spark for France in tomorrow’s RBS Six Nations Championship clash with Ireland.

France coach Bernard Laporte hopes the recall of veterans Raphael Ibanez and Olivier Magne will provide a much-needed boost in morale ahead of Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Ireland in Paris.

France coach Bernard Laporte has made five changes to his team for Saturday’s RBS Six Nations Championship clash with Ireland in Paris and brought back veterans Raphael Ibanez and Olivier Magne.

FREDERIC MICHALAK has been named in France’s team to play Scotland in Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash at Murrayfield.

Frederic Michalak has been named in France’s team to play Scotland in this weekend’s RBS 6 Nations clash at Murrayfield.

FRANCE coach Bernard Laporte has his sights set on glory in this year’s RBS 6 Nations before looking ahead to making the most of home advantage at the 2007 World Cup.

FRANCE have recalled skipper Fabien Pelous for their Six Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 5.

France have opted to keep faith with the majority of the squad that did so well during the second half of 2005 as they go in search of glory at the RBS 6 Nations.

Biarritz 43 Saracens 13

FRANCE coach Bernard Laporte has warned six of his leading players they could have put their Test places in jeopardy by not turning up for this week’s physicals in Marcoussis.

AS a result of Ireland's disappointing finish to the international rugby season, the fortunes of Munster and Leinster on the European stage assume even more significance.

France full-back Julien Laharrague is hoping he impressed enough on his international debut to be retained for Les Bleus’ next RBS 6 Nations clash against Ireland on March 12.

A combination of injuries and a change in the thinking of coach Bernard Laporte has led to wholesale introductions to the French team to meet Scotland on Saturday in Paris.

FRANCE’S hopes of defending their Six Nations Grand Slam got a boost on Sunday when it was revealed the Biarritz trio of Serge Betsen, Thomas Lievremont and Nicolas Brusque were to return to training today.

EX-MUNSTER second-row Mick O’Driscoll knows as much about Biarritz as anybody, and he is convinced his former comrades can upset the odds in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup on April 3.

France team manager Jo Maso believes Argentina have earned the right to face a full-strength France as he and coach Bernard Laporte announced an unchanged side for Saturday’s Test in Marseille.

Biarritz 23 Leicester 8

European champions Wasps produced a storming second-half performance to begin their Heineken Cup defence in impressive fashion at the Causeway Stadium.

LIKE a good French wine, the Heineken Cup, has improved with age.

Llanelli Scarlets 10 Biarritz 27

Llanelli Scarlets 10 Biarritz 27

Llanelli 3 Biarritz 5

England’s Six Nations destroyer Dimitri Yachvili is determined to ruin another title dream when he tackles Welsh giants Llanelli tonight.

England’s Six Nations destroyer Dimitri Yachvili is determined to ruin another title dream when he tackles Welsh giants Llanelli tomorrow night.

Scotland 0 France 31

Wales 22 France 29

Wales 12-13 France

France 10 Italy 0

France 35 Ireland 17

WITH the Rugby World Cup and the spiritual leaders who graced it, retired, the next seven weeks provides the platform for young talent and new heroes to emerge. That is the way it has always been.

France coach Bernard Laporte has announced his 22-man squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations clash against Ireland at the Stade de France on February 14.

Biarritz 32 Leinster 21

Sale 0 Biarritz 15

RENOWNED Bondi Beach, a few miles outside of Sydney, was the spectacular setting yesterday for the utterly predictable French selection to face Ireland in the quarter-final of the World Cup in Melbourne on Sunday.

The formidable French served a notice of intent on potential semi-final opponents England by ravaging Scotland’s World Cup dream at Telstra Stadium.

England boss Clive Woodward will today unveil his short-term World Cup replacement for Harlequins centre Will Greenwood.

A hat-trick of tries against Fiji was not enough for exciting centre Yannick Jauzion to keep his place in the France side for Saturday’s game against Japan.