CLERMONT-AUVERGNE sent a clear message to Munster yesterday — they still intend to be in the mix in Pool Six with a potentially crucial away victory over French rivals Montauban.

THE Munster rugby battlecry of Stand Up and Fight will ring out with renewed vigour in central France this weekend as the province faces a vital Heineken European Cup clash against ASM Clermont Auvergne.

CLERMONT AUVERGNE, Munster’s Heineken Cup opponents in two weeks’ time, have been dealt a serious blow with the loss of John Smit through injury in a training-ground accident.

THE pools, seedings and schedule have been announced for the IRB U21 World Championship in France.