WHEREAS coach Alan Gaffney occasioned little or no surprise when he announced his side to meet Castres in tonight’s Heineken European Cup tie in Castres, his opposite number, Christope Urios, unexpectedly made three changes to his anticipated line-up.

THERE is unlikely to be another match where the cliché “a game of two halves” could be more appropriate. This was incredible stuff.

France held off a spirited late challenge from a Diego Dominguez-inspired Italy to win their Six Nations Championship clash 30-19 at the Stadio Flaminio.