France 46 Canada 19

IRELAND coach Declan Kidney admitted his side “just have to get better” after Saturday night’s seven-point loss to France in Bordeaux.

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”.

Biarritz forward Raphael Lakafia will make his France debut against Ireland in Bordeaux on Saturday.

Courtney Lawes has warned his Northampton team-mates they must defeat Ulster in today’s Heineken Cup quarter-final if they want to be considered a major force in Europe.

WALES went into Saturday’s game knowing they needed to beat France by 27 points to snatch the Six Nations title from England.

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 insists the changes made to his side for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match with England are based on squad rotation rather than any special measures designed to outfox Martin Johnson’s men.

ONLY yesterday morning one of the great cliches was set free once again and allowed to snort its way across breakfast tables everywhere.

Declan Kidney today declared Ireland are revved up for a potentially thrilling RBS 6 Nations debut at Aviva Stadium.

FOR us mere mortals, the honour of representing your country is one of the greatest achievements that can be bestowed in life.

1. The Tactical Battle

IRELAND defence coach Les Kiss has applauded the manner in which France returned to winning ways in last weekend’s Six Nations opener after their traumatic 43-points defeat to Australia in November.

Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip is on course to make his comeback in Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France.

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 coach Marc Lievremont has sprung a major surprise ahead of his side’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Scotland in Paris by picking Damien Traille at full-back and leaving star centre Yannick Jauzion out of his matchday 22.

Ulster 9 Biarritz 6

BIARRITZ gained revenge over Aironi Rugby last night with a convincing Heineken Cup victory in their return Pool 4 match at Parc des Sports Aguilera.

ARGENTINA will arrive in Dublin on the back of an error-strewn 15-9 defeat to France in Montpellier.

BATH boss Steve Meehan claimed his team needed to “grow up” after their Heineken Cup campaign began in frustrating fashion against Biarritz at the Recreation Ground.

BIARRITZ centre Damien Traille has lost his battle to be fit for the Heineken Cup final after failing to recover in time from a fractured forearm.

A LITTLE downbeat, but determined to give it their best shot. That’s been the message from Biarritz and their supporters over the last few days, ahead of tomorrow’s Heineken Cup visit of Munster to San Sebastian.

John Kelly provides a fascinating insight into the Munster mindset ahead of the 2006 Heineken Cup final – and warns that their Basque opponents are the ones with a score to settle

BIARRITZ and France international No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy is fit for Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final with Munster at San Sebastian.

MUNSTER’S Heineken Cup opponents Biarritz Olympique suffered a serious blow on Saturday with an injury to influential centre and veteran French international Damien Traille, who has now been ruled out for next Sunday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final with the Irish province.

DIMITRI YACHVILI has issued a stark warning to semi-final opponents Munster after claiming: we can win the Heineken Cup for the first time.

Biarritz 29 Ospreys 28

THREE key Leinster players, including Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll, are unlikely to play any part in the Magners League clash with Munster on Friday.

NEW ZEALAND yesterday filed an official complaint over what they believe was an eye-gouge on prop Tony Woodcock following their crushing win over France in Marseilles on Saturday.

SOUTH AFRICAN prop Tendai Mtawarira’s participation in tonight’s Test against France in Toulouse is in doubt due to ongoing confusion surrounding his citizenship.

Glasgow 18 Biarritz 22

FRANCE head coach Marc Lievremont admits his team could be embarrassed by Italy on Saturday if they fail to improve on the “mediocrity” they have shown so far in the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

ENGLAND boss Martin Johnson yesterday warned his ill-disciplined players he is ready to wield the axe ahead of next week’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France.

France have made four changes in personnel to their 23-man squad for the RBS 6 Nations Championship match against England at Twickenham on Sunday week.

Biarritz 6 Cardiff Blues 10

Gloucester 22 Biarritz 10

England arrive in Paris seeking a first Six Nations victory at Stade de France for eight years today.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden was handed a significant boost as he wrestles with the most important selection of his tenure when Andy Henderson was cleared to face Wales.

NEW-LOOK France got their RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign off to the perfect start with an impressive victory against lacklustre Scotland at Murrayfield.

Scotland 6 France 27

BATTLING Glasgow were denied a Heineken Cup double over Biarritz after conceding two late tries last night.

Biarritz 21 Glasgow 14

GLASGOW supremo Sean Lineen hailed his side’s stubborn defensive display in their surprise success against Biarritz and insisted they will not be going to France for the return next weekend on a damage limitation mission.