Call it coincidence, but there was a prescient air of doom and gloom — amongst media and supporters at any rate — among the Pro12 sides heading into Round 2 of the Champions Cup. With good reason, as it transpired.

Conor Murray is set for his first start of the season on Saturday with head coach Rob Penney calling the Lions star “one of the best half-backs in the world” ahead of the showdown with Leinster at Thomond Park.

Future Racing Metro coach Laurent Labit refused to be drawn on whether they will issue Ronan O’Gara with a squad number for next season.

Six Nations

Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud has been recalled to France’s preliminary RBS 6 Nations squad but there is no place for Toulouse winger Maxime Medard.

Ulster’s progress today to a Heineken Cup final depends on...

Every dog has its day.

Edinburgh 19 Toulouse 14

The French champions are under reconstruction, but write them off at your peril

Wales 16 France 9

“That huge rivalry we have with England will still be there in 50 years’ time. It’s something we have built into us as Irish people and it’s important to try to use that to our advantage this weekend.”

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has made five changes and one positional switch for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales in Cardiff.

France 22 England 24

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

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.

CONNACHT touched down in France yesterday with news that opponents Toulouse are taking no chances in their team selection for today’s Heineken Cup fifth round clash.

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

GERRY KELLY was working on an intriguing seating plan as darkness fell in the Sportsgrounds yesterday.

PERCEPTIONS can really mess with the head sometimes.

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.

STRANGE in a way that what has been a fantastic tournament has produced a paucity of real individual star quality.

THE one area of consistent performance from the unpredictable French has been the solidity of their set piece.

France 14 Tonga 19

New Zealand 37 France 17

France have made 11 changes for Sunday’s World Cup Pool A clash with Canada in Napier, with captain Thierry Dusautoir left out of the matchday 22.

France coach Marc Lievremont has made true on his promise to ring the changes for this weekend's return friendly against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, by making 13 changes to the side that started in Bordeaux on Saturday.

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”.

Toulouse coach Guy Novès has made four changes to his side, from the one that defeated Biarritz in their Heineken Cup quarter-final clash in San Sebastian, for tomorrow’s last four match with Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, kick-off 3.30pm.

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

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.

ANDREW SHERIDAN will miss the climax of England’s Grand Slam quest after it was confirmed the calf injury he suffered against France will keep him sidelined for at least a month.

England 17 France 9

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

IMAGINE being the footballing full-back who has to spend 90 minutes being tormented by Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo only to learn he then has to mark Barcelona’s Lionel Messi the following week.