A week ago it was the return to France of Vern Cotter that was taxing French minds ahead of their Six Nations opener against Scotland. 

France 15 Scotland 8: They put a brave face on it but it was evident from the shrugs and pouts that a hard-fought tryless 15-8 victory over a feisty Scotland in Paris was not quite enough for the French. 

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."

It’s that time of year again, as rugby’s giants and potential giant-killers head north of the equator to take on Europe’s powerhouses in their own backyards.

Brian O’Driscoll expressed his joy after ending his international career by helping Ireland to glory in the RBS 6 Nations with a 22-20 victory over France in Paris on Saturday evening.

RBS 6 NATIONS:

If the French president Francois Hollande has been sweating under the pressure of public scrutiny over the last couple of weeks, it is nothing to that felt by Phillipe Saint-Andre.

Johnny Sexton has been released from Ireland’s Six Nations training camp and is expected to play for Racing Metro against Toulouse in Paris on Saturday, Joe Schmidt has revealed.

Fifty games.

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.

IRELAND expect to learn today the new date for their postponed RBS 6 Nations clash with France with the Irish Rugby Football Union also keen to discuss with tournament organisers who will pick up the estimated €45,000 tab for the additional weekend in Paris.

Sean O’Brien has never played rugby in temperatures of -7C before but has farmed in the depths of a white winter when the mercury plummeted to -15.

IT’S HARD to find anybody who’ll back against Munster’s home advantage, as John Riordan found out.

SALE director of rugby Phillipe Saint-Andre insisted his side’s Heineken Cup hopes remains alive after beating Stade Francais at Edgeley Park.

French international Philippe Saint-Andre was lured to Manchester by the ambition of Sale owner Brian Kennedy.