Mike Prendergast knows France pretty well by now. 

Seán O’Brien’s decision to sign a new two-year deal with Leinster and Ireland is likely to have prompted an improved offer for Jamie Heaslip from Toulon, who have spearheaded the chase for the Ireland internationals.

France head coach Philippe Saint-André has dropped Francois Trinh-Duc for Saturday’s meeting with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium with the unpredictable Freddie Michalak returning to the number 10 jersey.

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.

SUNDAY’S World Cup final was a pleasure to behold for many reasons, not least the honesty of endeavour and the sportsmanship on display from both sides.

WITH just two days separating the games against Connacht and France, Declan Kidney’s resources were always going to be stretched this week, so yesterday’s injury update from Carton House was timely and welcome in equal measure.

YOU try to avoid stereotypes, but that isn’t easy when French players field questions in the post-match mixed zone while lounging with nonchalance on tables and sipping mineral water.

France head coach Marc Lievremont today predicted an explosive start to his side’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Scotland tomorrow.

WHERE DO YOU even start? Within a period of eight hours on Saturday, the rugby world was turned on its head. The Six Nations championship, written off as a second tier competition only a week ago, has now produced two semi-finalists, who, against all the odds, have sunk the best the southern hemisphere has to offer.

WORLD Cup hosts France took out nine days of pent-up frustration on Namibia with a resounding victory that will have drawn nervous glances from Ireland last night.