Rising star Teddy Thomas has been dropped for tomorrow’s Test against Argentina by France manager Philippe Saint-Andre for missing a training session by arriving two hours late.

We’ve been spoilt over the years with the frequency of Munster and Leinster being paired with Toulouse and Clermont Auvergne in either the pool or knockout stages of the Heineken Cup. At its best, French club rugby is irresistible and in those two outstanding sides, we have been exposed to the very best it has to offer.

IN A week when we all became more knowledgeable about French rugby in the wake of Jonny Sexton’s big move to Racing Metro, pressure continues to mount on national coach Philippe Saint-André to win the Six Nations with what is regarded as the strongest squad in the competition.

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

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell has warned his team-mates not to be fooled by France’s poor showing against Scotland last weekend when the teams finally meet in Paris on Sunday.

CONNACHT skipper Gavin Duffy is prepared to take the pain if it helps his side survive another season of the Heineken Cup.

TO borrow from the brewery giant’s oft-quoted advertising slogan, if the Heineken Cup refreshes places that others can’t reach, then the French could do with a couple of brews at the moment.

Toulouse coach Yannick Bru admits Munster will be in far better shape than his team heading into Saturday’s Heineken Cup final in Cardiff.

CARDIFF BLUES coach Dai Young believes Toulouse can go all the way to a fourth Heineken Cup title after his side were taken apart 41-17 at Le Stadium.

FRENCH international Xavier Garbajosa has been left out of Guy Novès’ 23-man squad to face Leinster, the Toulouse coach preferring the in-form Maxime Médard.

Lawrence Dallaglio tonight played down Wasps’ Heineken Cup final favourites tag as the English champions prepared for an epic European showdown with French giants Toulouse.

FRANCE winger Vincent Clerc is intent on making an immediate impact when he returns to the France squad for the Six Nations opener against Ireland, after being snubbed by Bernard Laporte for the World Cup.

France winger Vincent Clerc is intent on making an immediate impact when he returns to the France squad for their RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland tomorrow, after being snubbed by Bernard Laporte for the World Cup.

France coach Bernard Laporte has announced his 22-man squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations clash against Ireland at the Stade de France on February 14.

NEW ZEALAND coach John Mitchell last night outlined his intentions to end the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup campaign on a winning note by naming a full-strength side for the third place play-off.

Beaten semi-finalists New Zealand and France have taken vastly different approaches to Thursday’s World Cup third-place play-off.

France coach Bernard Laporte today named an unchanged team for the World Cup semi-final showdown with England – and then paid a glowing tribute to Clive Woodward’s team.

South African born centre Brian Liebenberg scored a hat-trick to help France to a 41-14 win over the United States in Wollongong and go into the World Cup quarter-finals with four wins from four matches.

France have taken the unusual step of naming a player in their World Cup team who had not even arrived in Australia when the announcement was made.

France coach Bernard Laporte named a virtually full-strength side for ‘Les Bleus’ World Cup Pool B clash with Japan at Townsville.

A hat-trick of tries against Fiji was not enough for exciting centre Yannick Jauzion to keep his place in the France side for Saturday’s game against Japan.

A 19-0 interval lead handed Toulouse the advantage in today’s Heineken Cup final as they roared to a 22-17 win against French rivals Perpignan at Lansdowne Road.

ONE of the most gut-wrenching experiences ever suffered on a rugby field by Toulouse hooker Yannick Bru was losing to Munster in the Heineken Cup semi-final three years ago.

FALLEN idol Yannick Bru and Christophe Dominic will attempt to persuade French coach Bernard Laporte of their worth in tonight’s A international against Ireland at Ravenhill.

Last weekend Frédéric Michalak was playing for France Under-21. This week he has been included in the France A team to play Ireland A.

France coach Bernard Laporte has recalled Stephane Glas to Les Bleus’ squad for the Six Nations game at Scotland on March 23.

France coach Bernard Laporte has bemoaned the injury curse that has plagued his team after having to make four changes for Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Wales.