Gloucester 17 Stade Francais 25: Gloucester let an early 10-point lead slip to go down to Stade Francais at BT Murrayfield as they failed to impose themselves in the European Challenge Cup final.

AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL:

Captain Greig Laidlaw was left disappointed after Scotland missed the chance to record a shock victory over New Zealand, but felt there was plenty for his side to be proud of nevertheless.

It still seems, frighteningly, like yesterday but eight years have filtered into the ether since Graham Henry named a side to take on Wales in Cardiff before drafting in 15 new faces to go about their business against Ireland a week later.

Damien Enright describes his summer garden’s residents