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

It was the moment Ireland finally got a hand on the RBS 6 Nations trophy.

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. 

Like a young rock band bursting onto the scene full of blistering bravado, Joe Schmidt’s new Ireland have made their splash on the rugby landscape.

Brian O’Driscoll has all the attributes to forge a first-class coaching career, according to Ireland boss Joe Schmidt.

RBS SIX NATIONS:

Brian O’Driscoll expressed his joy after ending his international career by helping Ireland to glory in the RBS 6 Nations with a 22-20 victory over France in Paris on Saturday evening.

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

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Thoughts of a potential Heineken Cup semi-final with Leinster can wait as far as Munster head coach Rob Penney is concerned, it is a first visit to Thomond Park by four-time champions Toulouse that will exercise his mind as European competition goes into the knockout stages.

Brian O’Driscoll says “the head is good” but the Ireland centre will face a cognitive test today to determine if he can face Italy in Saturday’s final Six Nations clash.

There has been times over his decorated coaching career that Declan Kidney has been characterised as a lucky general.

Ireland have delayed their team announcement for Saturday’s clash with Italy by 48 hours as they contend with an ever-lengthening injury list that has placed Brian O’Driscoll’s participation in doubt.

Ireland 13 France 13

Jamie Heaslip faces a tough week trying to motivate his battle weary troops ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations finale in Rome following the “frustration” of playing out a 13-13 draw with France at the Aviva.

Keith Earls has criticised the officials’ failure to award Ireland a penalty in the final throes of Saturday’s draw with France.

You’ll have seen the photo by now.

Keith Earls has pointed the finger of blame at referee Steve Walsh for Ireland’s failure to overcome France at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday as the sides played out a draw for the second year in a row.

Keith Earls has criticised the officials’ failure to award Ireland a penalty in the final throes of yesterday’s 13-13 RBS 6 Nations draw with France at the Aviva Stadium.

Deflated Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip has refused to criticise the decision not to award Ireland a potential match-winning penalty late on today.

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.

Clermont Auvergne 15 Leinster 12

Fifty games.

France 22 England 24

As things transpired, the postponement of the Six Nations meeting of France and Ireland for three weeks was rendered inconsequential.

Circumstances have changed but Ireland can find success in Paris this weekend.

France flanker Imanol Harinordoquy anticipates Scotland will provide a much sterner test for the Rugby World Cup finalists than many observers are anticipating in tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash at Murrayfield.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has not made any changes to his matchday squad for the RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on February 26.

SCRUM

France scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili has been ruled out of Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Ireland in Paris with a back problem.

France have brought Imanol Harinordoquy into their team for Saturday’s Six Nations home clash against Ireland in one of four changes to the starting lineup from last weekend’s victory over Italy.

EXPECT a few tweaks here and there but there will be no “knee-jerk reaction” by the Irish brains trust this week as they digest last Sunday’s defeat to Wales and prepare for this Saturday’s follow-up against the French in Paris.

France have promoted Imanol Harinordoquy to their starting line-up as one of four changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland.

Clermont Auvergne 19 Ulster 15

THIS was meant to be the game that topped the bill this weekend: a revitalised Ulster side against one of the French powerhouses with both sides gunning for the win required to take them through to the next round and leave the other scratching for a slot in the Amlin Challenge.

New France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has included two uncapped players in his provisional 30-man squad for the RBS 6 Nations.

Clermont Auvergne 30 Leicester 12

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