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

PERCEPTIONS can really mess with the head sometimes.

IF the objective of Saturday’s game against France was to dampen Irish expectations on the eve of the World Cup then it had the desired effect. This performance was not on the agenda.

MARC LIEVREMONT’S gift for the unexpected makes second-guessing the French coach a foolish business but the expectation is that Cedric Heymans will be named in the national squad on Sunday.

CONNACHT chief executive Gerry Kelly believes Toulouse are the most glamorous side in Europe and has predicted that playing the French side in the Heineken Cup will encourage a whole generation of Galway youngsters to take up rugby.

SEBASTIEN CHABAL was left out of France’s provisional World Cup squad for sporting rather than political reasons, national team boss Marc Lievremont declared.

Sebastien Chabal was left out of France’s provisional World Cup squad for sporting rather than political reasons, according to national team boss Marc Lievremont.

Sebastien Chabal has been omitted from France’s provisional 32-man squad for the World Cup in September.

Donal Lenihan talks us through the tactics

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.

LEINSTER captain Leo Cullen has branded losing as “unacceptable” as he prepares to lead his team on a mission to heal the scars of last season’s Heineken Cup semi-final defeat against defending champions Toulouse at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow.

HAVING watched Toulouse make heavy weather of beating Biarritz and Northampton struggle to dispose of Ulster, Leinster could be forgiven for believing they are on course for a second Heineken Cup in three years.

Victory for Leinster tomorrow could catapult them to a second Heineken Cup success, believes Donal Lenihan. The outlook is not so promising for Ulster however. Munster? The future starts here.

France 28 Wales 9

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 today admitted his regret at an outburst following Saturday's defeat by Italy in which he suggested several players may not represent Les Bleus again.

France coach Marc Lievremont has made five changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations finale against Wales in Paris.

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont said he was at a “dead end” following Saturday’s shock defeat by Italy in the Six Nations.

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.

England 17 France 9

FRANCE centre Yannick Jauzion is determined to take his chance in today’s Six Nations showdown and put “arrogant” England in their place.

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.

FOR all the management teams, the Six Nations has now become a three-phase operation, with the key objective to be still in contention for honours when the final round of games are staged.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wasps 21 Toulouse 16

A SLOPPY first-half defensive showing from Glasgow at Firhill allowed holders Toulouse to take control of Pool Six in the Heineken Cup.

Glasgow Warriors 16 Toulouse 28

SIX NATIONS champions France have remained under the radar this autumn with low-profile winning performances against Fiji and Argentina going largely unnoticed. That was before Australia arrived at the Stade de France Saturday night and dismantled their hosts 59-16.

France number eight Imanol Harinordoquy has been dropped from the squad for next weekend’s Test with Australia.

FRANCE centre Yannick Jauzion insists there will be no complacency against Argentina today after admitting Les Bleus may have taken the South Americans lightly in the past.

Sebastien Chabal has been recalled to the France XV for Saturday’s Test against Argentina in Montpellier.

Wenceslas Lauret will make his international debut for France against South Africa on Saturday after being named in the starting XV by Marc Lievremont for the clash at Newlands.

Biarritz 19 Toulouse 21