RBS Six Nations: France v Scotland: The start of a new Six Nations campaign is usually destined to throw Frenchmen of every age, shape and political persuasion into a tizzy. As former captain Fabien Pelous once said: "It is like the start of a new romance. You see a girl across the room, your eyes meet and you both know that everything is possible."

Amid the hype and bluster surrounding the Six Nations launch, the French provided a moment of context and a sharp dose of reality.

France 20 Ireland 22

Captain Pascal Pape insists France care more about finishing their Six Nations campaign in style than silencing the critics.

A year ago, Marty Moore was in the process of winning an Ulster Bank League medal with Lansdowne, waiting for an opportunity to go professional with Leinster. He was happy with that.

If it isn’t ‘GUBU’, it’s not far off. The vitriol pouring down on Philippe Saint-Andre and his French players this week is unbelievable, occasionally bizarre.

No wonder the Marquis de Sade was a Frenchman.

France scrum-half Maxime Machenaud is relishing a chance to get one over on his Racing Metro half-back partner Johnny Sexton in Saturday’s potential Six Nations decider at Stade de France.

France jumped ahead of Ireland in the IRB’s World Rankings following Saturday’s narrow victory over Scotland.

Reigning champions Wales put their RBS 6 Nations title bid back on track with a Millennium Stadium mauling of France that ended Les Bleus’ Grand Slam hopes.

Reigning champions Wales put their RBS 6 Nations title bid back on track with a Millennium Stadium mauling of France that ended Les Bleus’ Grand Slam hopes.

For a team that has lost all three matches in this year’s Six Nations, the French have been remarkably positive as they prepare for what is undoubtedly going to be another bruising encounter against Ireland in Dublin this afternoon.

Three key areas of confrontation at the Aviva today

Cian Healy has never been a man to use 10 words where one will do so it was hardly a surprise when he declined to elaborate on the content of the hate mail letter he received at Ireland’s Carton House base last month.

Frederic Michalak was today retained at fly-half for France as coach Philippe Saint-Andre made several changes ahead of Saturday’s clash with Australia in Paris.

Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek has backed rookie Ulster tighthead Declan Fitzpatrick to step up for Ireland against the All Blacks on Saturday should first-choice Mike Ross fail to recover from a hamstring injury.

SCRUM

Sam Warburton is ready to lead Wales’ final push for the RBS 6 Nations title and Grand Slam glory tomorrow, declaring: “It will be the biggest game of my career.”

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has made five changes and one positional switch for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales in Cardiff.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has not made any changes to his matchday squad for the RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on February 26.

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

Nicolas Mas has put France on full alert for a fearsome challenge from the New Zealand pack in tomorrow’s World Cup final at Eden Park.

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

FT: Wales 8 France 9

FRANCE No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy hopes Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final with England will mark the start of the tournament for Les Bleus.

France coach Marc Lievremont has made true on his promise to ring the changes for this weekend's return friendly against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, by making 13 changes to the side that started in Bordeaux on Saturday.

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”.

Northampton 23 Perpignan 7

FRANCE coach Marc Lièvremont has apologised for comments made in the wake of Les Bleus’ shock Six Nations loss to Italy on Saturday.

Sebastien Chabal was one of six players dropped from the France squad tonight as coach Marc Lievremont held true to his promise of making changes following yesterday’s defeat to Italy.

Sebastien Chabal has retained his place in the France XV for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash in Italy.

ANDREW SHERIDAN will miss the climax of England’s Grand Slam quest after it was confirmed the calf injury he suffered against France will keep him sidelined for at least a month.

England manager Martin Johnson is still haunted by the memories of last year’s defeat to France in Paris – and he wants revenge.

IT’S as if a line had been drawn in the sand. Two years on from the Grand Slam and after a period of indifferent form, this was the game that would offer the clearest indication of just exactly where this Irish team sits in international rugby.

WELL, who would have imagined that? Ireland outscore France by three tries to one and walk off the pitch beaten men.

IMAGINE being the footballing full-back who has to spend 90 minutes being tormented by Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo only to learn he then has to mark Barcelona’s Lionel Messi the following week.

France coach Marc Lievremont has made only one change to his team to face Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations on Sunday.

IRELAND have been warned that life in the Six Nations is not about to get any easier after a clinical French team made a winning start to the defence of their title in Paris.

France 34 Scotland 21

Wales international James Hook has confirmed he will join French club Perpignan next season.

France number eight Imanol Harinordoquy has been dropped from the squad for next weekend’s Test with Australia.

Sebastien Chabal has been recalled to the France XV for Saturday’s Test against Argentina in Montpellier.