German powerhouse Andre Greipel won his first stage of this year’s Tour de France, coming home ahead of Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) and Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano) after yesterday’s 176-kilometre run from Aix-en-Provence to Montpellier.

LUKE FITZGERALD is the only front-line player ruled out of Leinster’s big Heineken Cup clash with French side Brive at the RDS on Saturday (6pm).

MONTAUBAN, who came so close to upsetting Munster in last Friday’s Heineken Cup opener, face investigation by French rugby authorities, as they are €1.3 million short of balancing their books after last season, despite declaring otherwise to the French rugby authorities.

CONNACHT have been paired with last season’s Heineken Cup semi-finalists London Irish in Pool One of the European Challenge Cup.

Alexandre Vinokourov’s cycling career is in tatters after he was fired by the Astana team.

CYCLING may have a new star in Alberto Contador but the Spaniard’s heroics in this year’s Tour de France took a back seat yesterday as the sport’s doping problem continued to dominate.

FRANCE’S Sandy Casar won the 18th stage of the Tour de France between Cahors and Angouleme in a sprint finish yesterday.

Alexandre Vinokourov has protested his innocence over claims he received a blood transfusion, although he will not attempt to regain his place in the Tour de France.

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme has expressed his disappointment over the latest scandal to affect the tour, after Team Astana withdrew following Alexandre Vinokourov’s positive test for a banned blood transfusion.

Team Astana have withdrawn from the Tour de France after Alexandre Vinokourov tested positive for a banned blood transfusion.

KAZAKHSTAN’S Alexandre Vinokourov won the 15th stage of the Tour de France between Foix and Loudenvielle-Le Louron yesterday.

Kazakhstan’s Alexandre Vinokourov fought his way back into the Tour de France top 10 with an impressive ride to win today’s 13th stage, a time-trial in Albi.

Philippe Saint-Andre has challenged English champions Sale Sharks to “kick-start” their Heineken Cup campaign tomorrow night by collecting a maximum points haul against minnows Calvisano.

SPANIARD Marcos Serrano claimed victory on the 189km 18th stage of the Tour de France between Albi and Mende yesterday after holding off a strong challenge from Cedric Vasseur and Axel Merckx.

Spaniard Marcos Serrano claimed victory on the 189km 18th stage of the Tour de France between Albi and Mende after holding off a strong challenge from Cedric Vasseur and Axel Merckx on Thursday.

Francis Cummins, who has already represented England and Great Britain, will tonight complete a remarkable hat-trick when he makes his debut for Ireland.

Hull full-back Steve Prescott is set to miss Ireland's international against France in Albi on Tuesday.

Ireland captain Terry O’Connor is looking for his side to pick up from where they left off in the World Cup when they take on France in Albi later this month.