Three key issues Ireland must address.

France jumped ahead of Ireland in the IRB’s World Rankings following Saturday’s narrow victory over Scotland.

Scotland suffered last-gasp heartache as France snatched a 19-17 RBS 6 Nations win after Jean-Marc Doussain kicked the winning penalty at Murrayfield with just 90 seconds left.

Three key areas of confrontation at the Aviva today

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.

England 23 France 13

Clermont Auvergne 46 Exeter 3

Fifty games.

Leinster 37 Zebre 7

Frederic Michalak was today retained at fly-half for France as coach Philippe Saint-Andre made several changes ahead of Saturday’s clash with Australia in Paris.

If Leinster dominate these key areas in France, they will deserve the plaudits

Ulster’s Ruan Pienaar is in contention to join an elite group of players who have won both the Heineken Cup and the Rugby World Cup.

THE DULL pain of rejection experienced by a number of quality Irish players on Monday was replicated throughout the rugby world yesterday when the cut-off point for announcing the respective World Cup squads arrived.

IF the objective of Saturday’s game against France was to dampen Irish expectations on the eve of the World Cup then it had the desired effect. This performance was not on the agenda.

FRENCH scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili has warned the rest of the rugby giants his side can beat anyone to win the World Cup.

FRANCE coach Marc Lièvremont has thrown down the gauntlet to his players ahead of Saturday’s World Cup warm-up with Ireland in Bordeaux by declaring that Les Bleus are now in “competition mode”.

SEBASTIEN CHABAL was left out of France’s provisional World Cup squad for sporting rather than political reasons, national team boss Marc Lievremont declared.

Sebastien Chabal was left out of France’s provisional World Cup squad for sporting rather than political reasons, according to national team boss Marc Lievremont.

Sebastien Chabal has been omitted from France’s provisional 32-man squad for the World Cup in September.

MUNSTER’S Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final opponents, Brive, eased their Top 14 relegation worries with a 26-9 win over La Rochelle at Stade Amédée-Domenech on Saturday.

WALES coach Warren Gatland has tipped teenager George North to be “an absolute star” of the future after handing him his RBS 6 Nations debut.

FRANCE coach Marc Lièvremont has apologised for comments made in the wake of Les Bleus’ shock Six Nations loss to Italy on Saturday.

France coach Marc Lievremont today admitted his regret at an outburst following Saturday's defeat by Italy in which he suggested several players may not represent Les Bleus again.

France coach Marc Lievremont has made five changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations finale against Wales in Paris.

Sebastien Chabal was one of six players dropped from the France squad tonight as coach Marc Lievremont held true to his promise of making changes following yesterday’s defeat to Italy.

Sebastien Chabal has retained his place in the France XV for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash in Italy.

MOST players express a desire to get right back on the horse after a defeat such as Ireland’s against France but not Mike Ross.

WELL, who would have imagined that? Ireland outscore France by three tries to one and walk off the pitch beaten men.

1. The Tactical Battle

France coach Marc Lievremont has made only one change to his team to face Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations on Sunday.

IRELAND have been warned that life in the Six Nations is not about to get any easier after a clinical French team made a winning start to the defence of their title in Paris.

France 34 Scotland 21

Clermont Auvergne 28 Racing Metro 17

Clermont Auvergne 28 Racing Metro 17

Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip have been named in the Leinster team for Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash with Clermont at the Aviva Stadium, although Heaslip’s inclusion is pending a late fitness test following the warm-up.

Brian O’Driscoll has failed to make the Leinster squad for Sunday’s Heineken Cup clash with ASM Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Marcel Michelin (kick-off 3pm).

WE HAVE a lot to be grateful to Scotland for. Had they not beaten South Africa in Murrayfield last Saturday week, both the Springboks and New Zealand would return home from their respective tours of the four home unions with a clean sweep.

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans has stressed the importance of tomorrow’s Test with France as the Wallabies look to end their European tour on a high note.

France number eight Imanol Harinordoquy has been dropped from the squad for next weekend’s Test with Australia.

Sebastien Chabal has been recalled to the France XV for Saturday’s Test against Argentina in Montpellier.

THERE isn’t much in the way of history between Leinster and Clermont Auvergne, but what little there is will always remain a source of some satisfaction for the Irish province.

Clermont-Auvergne coach Vern Cotter has selected a formidable side to play Leinster in the Heineken Cup quarter-final at the RDS on Friday night.