Pride restored after a Parisian wake-up call a fortnight ago, Ronan O’Gara was able to take plenty of encouragement from Racing 92’s honourable defeat on his return to Thomond Park.

CJ Stander warns that Munster cannot afford to take a victory over down and out Racing 92 for granted when the French champions visit Thomond Park on Saturday.

Glasgow 12 Munster 14: With no frills and few thrills Munster left Glasgow on Saturday night with everything they had hoped for. 

The tourist brochures present Paris as the city of lights and the city of love but one can appreciate why it won’t feature any time soon on bucket lists for the current Munster squad. From both a personal and sporting standpoint, the French capital has yielded nothing but grief for that particular group over the last 12 months.

Munster Rugby players and officials returned to Ireland last night in deep shock following the sudden death of head coach Anthony Foley. He was 42.

Given the trials Tyler Bleyendaal has had to overcome during his 21 months as a Munster player it is almost a surprise not to see the New Zealander enveloped in bubble wrap as he walks into the room.

Whether it was a brave face or genuine optimism from Rassie Erasmus this week, the feelgood vibes emanating from Munster’s director of rugby ahead of tomorrow’s Champions Cup opener in Paris could evaporate in a heartbeat if his side fails to rise to the occasion.

Rassie Erasmus will have no issue if his Munster side faces the Racing 92 trio currently facing doping allegations when the Champions Cup rivals clash in Paris on Sunday.

Leinster 25 Munster 14: However preoccupied the coaching staff at Racing 92 may be as they deal with the fallout from leaked positive dope test results, a look at the tape of Munster’s defeat in Dublin will provide an altogether more welcome shot in the arm.

Dan Carter has made his much-anticipated arrival at Racing 92, vowing to emulate Jonny Wilkinson and enjoy a barbecue with Ronan O’Gara.

Ronan O’Gara believes Johnny Sexton is ready to be at his sharpest for Ireland over a full 80 minutes against England on Sunday when the RBS 6 Nations’ two remaining unbeaten sides go head-to-head in Dublin.

Racing Metro 13 ASM Clermont Auvergne 13: Johnny Sexton expressed his bemusement with the French Top 14 countdown clock for goal-kicking after he was penalised for taking too long over a penalty in Racing Metro’s drawn league game with Clermont.

Johnny Sexton, to Joe Schmidt’s undoubted relief, was back on home soil last night, the Ireland fly-half’s body intact and his mind fully focused on next Sunday’s Six Nations showdown with England.

Johnny Sexton will put his black eye and facial stitches in the firing line in Paris tonight as he bids to clock up some more game time ahead of Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations showdown with England in eight days. 

Will Gloucester’s rotation policy come back to bite them?

Jonathan Sexton has got an early taste of the idiosyncrasies of Racing Metro president Jacky Lorenzetti with the Paris club moving their first home match of the season 500km away to the seaside — because most of their supporters will be on holiday.

Munster and Leinster fans will have a keen eye on an all-French Heineken Cup tie today — and not just because it contains a potential quarter-final opponent.

Montpellier 34 Cardiff Blues 21

There was no joy for Racing Metro ahead of their Heineken Cup opener with Munster at Stade de France on Saturday after the Parisians suffered a second defeat in-a-row at the weekend.

It may be cold enough here in Paris to leave eskimos pining for the frozen tundra of their homelands but the hot air currently being generated by French rugby folk more than compensates for the polar conditions.

Montpellier 24 Bath 22

HARLEQUINS stunned four-time champions Toulouse 31-24 yesterday to reignite their European Cup quarter-final hopes a week after the French giants had seemingly delivered a fatal blow on the English side.

Racing Metro 20 Cardiff Blues 26

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.

LEINSTER powered through their last Heineken Cup Pool 2 battle with a thrilling victory over Racing Metro at Stade Yves du Manoir last night to secure a coveted home draw in the quarter-finals in April.

Racing Metro 11 Leinster 36

LEINSTER will be seeking their 25th Heineken Cup victory (*excluding 2009 semi-final and final) on the road against Racing Metro 92 at Stade Yves Du Manoir tonight.

LEINSTER’S ambition of a home Heineken Cup quarter-final spot has been facilitated by another weakened Racing Metro selection for tonight’s final Pool 2 clash at Stade Yves Du Manoir in Paris.

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his side for Friday night’s Heineken Cup match against Racing-Métro 92 at the Stade Yves du Manoir, kick-off 8pm.

QUALIFICATION already secured, Leinster travel to Paris this week intent on taking care of the last vestiges of unfinished business in Pool Two of the Heineken Cup — securing a home berth for the quarter-finals.

WINNING at Wembley last October must have been sweet enough in itself but Leinster’s memories of the legendary venue were embellished even further when Saracens coach Brendan Venter vented his fury after the game.

PHILIPPE Saint-Andre believes his Toulon side are under no pressure going into this Sunday’s crucial Heineken Cup clash with Munster.