‘Why should a side coming to Ireland get the first applause by doing a dance’

Sporting fraternity across country in shock at untimely death of head coach in Paris

Last year’s Pro12 winners will open their campaign against French giants Toulouse

Ball control is key factor for Pat Lam’s side in Champions Cup opener with Toulouse

Should France thrive in Six Nations ex-coach’s tenure will be cast in even harsher light

With France and England away, third title in succession looks a tall order

Province are already reaping the benefits of placing Australian atop of coaching

From Roey Kockott’s kick to a legend felled – it was year never to be forgotten

Rugby World Cup final: All Blacks might just have enough in tank to defeat Australia

Outstanding All Blacks’ flanker has for 14 years been bending the game to his will

All Black and France flankers have enjoyed compelling rivalry for almost a decade

Philippe Saint-André’s side don’t look like an outfit that can upset world champions

Reports suggested a ‘discreet rebellion’ had taken place against Philippe Saint-André

All Blacks coach expecting the French to have both flair and physicality

O’Mahony suffered knee ligament damage against France, Paul O’Connell also expected to be ruled out

Sexton and O’Connell departures fail to halt unstoppable Irish momentum

“We don’t have that many injuries compared to Ireland. They have two, maybe three very serious injuries”

Freddy Michalak has become a leader and the French pack looks increasingly formidable

Joe Schmidt’s side have been letting the blinds rise and are ready to play a big hand

Modern side a more practical version of the teams that lit up previous World Cups

Joe Schmidt will be encouraged by French vulnerability in cracking encounter

Thierry Dusautoir insists Canada game is not just ‘dress rehearsal’ for Ireland match

Louis Picamoles rested as boss Philippe Saint-André makes four changes

Players from ethnic minorities will play key role for Les Bleus in tournament challenge

Philippe Saint-Andre’s side to face Scotland in final World Cup warm-up

As tournament hosts in 2007 France rose to the occasion in their quarter-final clash

Francois Trinh-Duc a victim of all-time top scorer Frederic Michalak’s renaissance

Despite failing to defeat Ireland in four years, winning the group is not beyond Les Bleus

Thierry Dusautoir’s underdogs accept New Zealand’s challenge at expectant Eden Park

Leinster, Munster and Ulster have left an indelible mark on a tournament approaching it’s 20th final

Scrum-half can’t hide his elation as Les Bleus hold on to hand Ireland the Six Nations title

Sides run in 12 tries between them in helter-skelter finale to Six Nations

Team betrayed hints of panic as they were forced to chase the game

Joe Schmidt’s fingerprints all over performance as his side keep France at bay

‘That was the story of the day, we didn’t back up the pressure we put them under . . . we didn’t execute out there’

Bruising encounter sees man of the match outhalf suffer bad cut to an eye

You’d have to have sympathy for Phillipe Saint-André as he plays a difficult hand

Uncapped Clermont winger named in Philippe Saint-Andre’s 31-strong training squad

Philippe Saint-Andre’s team make up for whitewash in June

Referee had no business referring either of two recent controversial incidents to the respective TMO