Ulster finished their disappointing European Champions Cup season in downbeat fashion as Bordeaux-Begles secured a hard-earned but deserved 26-22 victory at the Kingspan Stadium.

Clermont beat Bordeaux in a cracker in Ulster's pool.

It may be that France are unpredictable in most things, but there were few surprises yesterday when coach Philippe Saint-Andre made 12 changes to his side for tomorrow’s Pool D tie against Canada at Milton Keynes.

A tournament that has already captivated, thanks largely to Japan’s heroics, will hope to plug into the ultimate feelgood sporting event in modern English history when France and Romania meet in the Olympic Stadium’s first pool match this evening.

London’s Indian summer came to an abrupt end yesterday, but the slate skies and soft rain did little to dampen the sense of conviviality that permeated the mood around the French camp ahead of their second outing in Ireland’s Pool D tomorrow night.

Scrappy Scotland were denied a smash-and-grab win in Paris after France stormed back to claim a 19-16 win in both side’s final match before the World Cup.

TOULON 24 CLERMONT AUVERGNE 18: Be careful what you wish for.

With that tantalising World Cup clash between Ireland and France cemented in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but watch the respective performances of Clermont Auvergne and Leinster over the weekend in the context of that crucial Pool D encounter.

Today's staggered finale of the RBS 6 Nations began with four teams - England, Wales, Ireland and France - in contention for the title.

Italy 0 France 29

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has made eight changes for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy at the Stadio Olimpico.

Racing Metro 13 ASM Clermont Auvergne 13: Johnny Sexton expressed his bemusement with the French Top 14 countdown clock for goal-kicking after he was penalised for taking too long over a penalty in Racing Metro’s drawn league game with Clermont.

Johnny Sexton, to Joe Schmidt’s undoubted relief, was back on home soil last night, the Ireland fly-half’s body intact and his mind fully focused on next Sunday’s Six Nations showdown with England.

Italy will have four new faces in their squad when they face Ireland in their RBS 6 Nations Championship opener in Rome next month.

Clermont Auvergne 26 Munster 19

Munster have built a reputation on delivering big performances when they’re least expected, and to survive the type of examination they were to get yesterday at the Stade Marcel Michelin, nothing less than a season’s best would suffice, writes Donal Lenihan.

Clermont 26 Munster 19

Wingers Chris Ashton and David Strettle propelled Saracens to a 30-23 bonus point victory over Clermont in their Champions Cup grudge match at Allianz Park.

Jonny Wilkinson hit the post with a penalty attempt with the final kick of the game as Top 14 leaders Toulon were held to a 26-26 draw at home by Munster’s Heineken Cup semi-final opponents, Clermont Auvergne.

ULSTER coach Brian McLaughlin admitted he was totally exhausted and mentally drained after his side came back from the dead to get their Heineken Cup challenge off to awinning start.

Fly-half Ian Humphreys was left to thank his forwards despite scoring all the points in Ulster’s 16-11 victory over Clermont Auvergne to open their Heineken Cup campaign.

Ulster 16 Clermont-Auvergne 11