Simon Lewis takes a look at how the two sides match up.

When France’s new coach sets forward his plans for the national team, he does not speak of ambitions. Guy Noves has been around long enough to know he has a duty to the cause of picking up the pieces of his national team.

Scotland are heading into the Six Nations Championship with the same optimism that usually strikes Caledonia in January but there are reasons to believe this bout will last longer than most examples of the past decade.

Wales’ Jonathan Davies will be “the midget of the midfield” if Ireland pair Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw are named at centre for Sunday’s Six Nations opener, according to Conor O’Shea.

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell has been named Player of the Tournament for this year’s RBS Six Nations.

A fourth successive RBS 6 Nations runners-up spot for England is unacceptable, Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie said today.

“He’s an unbelievable player and to be doing what he’s doing at the back end of his career is unreal. I think he’s an inspirational guy. He led and everyone else followed.”

“What the f*** are you doing France? France! Kick it out!”

After obliterating Scottish opposition by a combined 113 points to 13, the men’s and women’s rugby teams have arrived back on home soil as Six Nations champions.

THERE are very few endeavours that allow the human spirit to soar like sport does. 

As crazy days in sport go, Saturday was top of Paul O’Connell’s looney chart.

Police have launched an investigation into alleged homophobic remarks on Twitter which were directed towards Welsh referee Nigel Owens, they said.

The Irish men's rugby team have arrived in Dublin airport to a roaring reception.

The Ireland Women were in inspirational form against Scotland today, relentlessly piling on the points to secure a record 73-3 win and complete a famous Men's and Women's RBS 6 Nations double for Irish rugby.

Paul O’Connell insists Ireland’s back-to-back RBS 6 Nations titles rest entirely on never once questioning taskmaster boss Joe Schmidt’s intense methods.

Leinster’s Jamie Heaslip may be waking up with a sore head this morning, but his clear-headed, try-saving tackle helped seal Ireland’s nerve jangling

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Sean O’Brien believes blowing a Grand Slam in Wales “might not have been the worst thing in the world” as Ireland eye the World Cup after retaining their RBS 6 Nations title.

The victorious Six Nations Irish rugby squad will arrive at Dublin Airport this afternoon.

Paul O'Connell: "It was like Robbie Henshaw's 21st birthday."

Conor Murray says Ireland are "blessed" to have a coach like Joe Schmidt.

Has your heart rate returned to normal yet? See what it was like for the Irish fans in Murrayfield.

Today's staggered finale of the RBS 6 Nations began with four teams - England, Wales, Ireland and France - in contention for the title.

Captain Paul O'Connell hailed Ireland's historymakers after Joe Schmidt's side secured back-to-back RBS 6 Nations titles for the first time since 1949.

England put an immense 55 points France at Twickenham, but it was still not enough to deny Ireland a second Six Nations title in a row.

Sean O’Brien, man of the match in Ireland’s epic win at Murrayfield today, said Ireland never doubted they could put up a big score in the game.

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell admitted his side’s European experience put them in pole position to win the RBS 6 Nations title after they thrashed Scotland 40-10 at Murrayfield.

All together now - ALLEZ LES BLEUS!

Ireland threw down the gauntlet to England on the final day of the RBS 6 Nations by routing Scotland at Murrayfield and setting their title rivals a tough target in their tournament closing game down at Twickenham.

Tom McGurk, star of many a rugby promo, steps down from RTÉ’s coverage tonight - and left us with one final montage.

Paul O’Connell has pledged Ireland will “keep the faith” with boss Joe Schmidt’s game plan despite scoring just four tries in the RBS 6 Nations.

It is sometimes said a team learns more from its defeats than from its victories.

“We’ve been here enough times to know they they are tight affairs, especially over here.”

"It’s a dangerous place to go to start thinking about anything but winning the game.”

France’s preparations for their RBS Six Nations showdown with England on Saturday have been disrupted by confusion over the fitness of fly-half Camille Lopez.

The Ireland Women's team to face Scotland in the final game of the RBS 6 Nations has been named and is unchanged from the team that played Wales last week.

“A Grand Slam gone, but not a grandstand finish.”

Joe Schmidt has admitted Ireland could go for broke against Scotland if Wales thrash Italy in Rome on Saturday.

"Wear and tear" and a desire to freshen up a side playing its fifth Test game in six weeks has prompted Joe Schmidt's decision to draft Luke Fitzgerald and Cian Healy into the Ireland side to face Scotland on Saturday afternoon.

Ireland boss Joe Schmidt believes his first Test clash with friend, mentor and former colleague Vern Cotter will not “colour” Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations finale in Scotland.