The issues and decisions that will impact tomorrow’s tournament-defining clash with France...

Alittle bit of luck, some inspiration from Martin O’Neill’s footballing heroes and a firm belief in the collective strength of his own players.

It was their coach four years ago. This time it is the media.

France 41 Canada 18: Another comfortable margin on the scoreboard for France, but doubts hang over Philippe Saint-Andre’s side ahead of their final Pool D encounter with Ireland on Sunday week after a workmanlike defeat of Canada in stadium:mk last night.

Pool D: France v Canada

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.

Seeing may be believing, but the eyes tell lies, too.

France 38 Romania 11: If Ireland had allowed any complacency to creep into their minds ahead of Sunday’s clash with Romania then this will have surely eradicated it.

France resume their Pool D campaign at the Olympic Stadium against Romania tonight with Johnny Sexton declaring Philippe Saint-Andre’s side “the best they’ve looked in years”.

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.

Three days later and the shock waves from Japan’s win against South Africa continue to ripple far beyond the shores of the genteel and chic coastal town of Brighton which now finds itself enshrined in rugby folklore.

France 32 Italy 10: There were just four minutes to go on Saturday night when Frederic Michalak’s number came up.

‘Croydon-sur-Seine’, read the headlines.

France’s World Cup preparations hit an unlikely speed bump in the shape of a Croydon wedding party.

France’s World Cup preparations hit an unlikely speed bump in the shape of a Croydon wedding party.

Coach Philippe Saint-Andre urged French rugby supporters to cast aside their doubts about him and rally behind his squad as they head to England for the rugby World Cup.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has left out fly-half Francois Trinh-Ducfrom his 31-man World Cup squad, in favour of Frederic Michalak.

As a learning exercise, Saturday’s fraught encounter against Scotland was far more beneficial for Ireland than the rather benign Welsh clash the previous week. Put it this way: Joe Schmidt will have gleaned much and identified far more ‘work-ons’ to keep him busy over the next fortnight.

Mike Prendergast knows France pretty well by now. 

Clive Woodward wants to replace Philippe Saint-Andre as head coach of France, according to reports in the French press.

RBS Six Nations

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

France v Wales

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has relegated powerful centre Mathieu Bastareaud to the bench for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales in Paris.

Jamie Heaslip is unlikely to feature again in Ireland’s quest to retain the RBS 6 Nations title after being ruled out of action for the next month.

After only two rounds of action, this year’s Six Nations championship has already taken on the appearance of a two-horse race — notwithstanding Wales’ right to dispute that.

RBS Six Nations

He’s a remarkable man, is Serge Blanco, a one-off, someone who has become part of the fabric of French life in his 56 years, and who today is charged with helping transform the national rugby team into credible World Cup contenders.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre is relishing Saturday’s trial by fire at the Aviva as he aims to keep a special record intact.

Vincent Debaty has won a seat on France’s bench to face Ireland purely because Philippe Saint-Andre expects the prop to extend his dominance over rival Marty Moore.

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. 

Leigh Halfpenny says Wales will carry their Twickenham "hurt" of last season into tomorrow night’s RBS 6 Nations opener against England.

France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre believes he and English counterpart Stuart Lancaster have a much tougher job than their rival RBS 6 Nations bosses and cited Ireland’s centrally contracted players as his primary evidence.

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

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

Rising star Teddy Thomas has been dropped for tomorrow’s Test against Argentina by France manager Philippe Saint-Andre for missing a training session by arriving two hours late.

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

Three key issues Ireland must address.

If Brian O’Driscoll is expecting a teary-eyed farewell from the 80-odd thousand at the Stade de France today, then he may well get his wish.

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.

RBS SIX NATIONS: