Gerry Thornley: Celtic revival is exactly what Champions Cup needs

Resurgence of Munster and Leinster last year was a bonus and should continue this year

Saracens defend Champions Cup title at Murrayfield

Clermont Auvergne’s wait for European glory continues as Mark McCall’s side triumph

So close but so far as Clermont end Leinster’s European dream

Leo Cullen’s side flirt with famous comeback but Camille Lopez drops French into final

Confident Leinster prepared for gunfight at the OK Corral

Champions Cup semi-final with Clermont promises to be hot and high-scoring

Gordon D'Arcy: Onus on Munster and Leinster to conjure up something special

A Munster win in Dublin seems more logical than a Leinster win over Clermont in Lyon

Clermont power past Toulon to set up Leinster semi-final

Champions Cup payback as second-half tries see off winners of 2013 and 2015 finals

Ulster braced for Clermont power surge but still unlikely to resist it

French league leaders will greet visitor’s pack with ruthless welcome party

Noves brings in Vakatawa from leftfield

Sevens star will start on the wing when France take on Italy in Six Nations

Six Nations: The lowdown on France

France enter a new era with Guy Noves at the helm promising to address the dull brand of rugby being played

Andy McGeady: Clermont’s lack of preparation is a warning

Seasons are rarely defined by one event, but all those small moments will add up

Johnny Sexton injury another headache for Ireland

Leinster defeat adds to unease as hamstrings may sideline Mike Ross and Marty Moore

Exeter reach Champions Cup quarters after sensational Pool Two finish

Clermont turn down easy late penalty against Bordeaux and miss out by a point

Mathieu Bastareaud left out of France squad

New coach Guy Noves promises era of attacking rugby

Aaron Smith the man who keeps All Black machine ticking over

All Black nine regarded as best in position and has chance to show why against Genia

France haunted All Blacks in past but unlikely to do so at present

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

Philippe Saint-André facing French mutiny, reports

France team have staged a ‘discreet’ rebellion against coach ahead of New Zealand game

Peter O’Mahony out of the Rugby World Cup

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

Ireland secure famous victory over France in Cardiff

Rob Kearney and Conor Murray tries set up a maiden World Cup win over Les Bleus

Major parts of the puzzle seem to be coming together for France

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

Ireland v France: The last four encounters

Ireland have more than matched their French rivals since the 2012 Six Nations

Gordon D’Arcy: France can expect unexpected from Ireland

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

Canada make patchy France work hard for their bonus

Joe Schmidt will be encouraged by French vulnerability in cracking encounter

Remy Grosso to make France Test debut against Canada

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

Sam Burgess impresses on England debut despite yellow card

Former rugby league player made a number of big hits against France

Leinster’s record with Wayne Barnes in charge since 2009

The referee has played a significant role in some of the province’s big European games

Saint-André under fire as Parra and Fofana ruled out

Injuries come on the back of a wave of criticism from media, ex-players and coaches

Six Nations: France look to expand gameplan for Wales tie

Saint-André recalls Parra and drops Bastareaud while Papé appeals ban

Mathieu Bastareaud dropped to bench as France name team for Wales

Remi Lamerat is one of five changes to team who lost to Ireland last weekend

Johnny Sexton’s pride the only thing hurt in Racing Metro draw

Ireland outhalf is timed out attempting early penalty against Clermont Auvergne

Seven talking points from Ireland’s win over France

Midfield excellence in defending against French power runners proved key

‘Frustrated’ Paul O’Connell admits there’s work to be done

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

Ireland still need to be wary of French threat

Les Bleus may be underachieving but they do have a gameplan to stymie at the Aviva

Camille Lopez kicks France to victory over Scotland

Gutsy Scotland stop Les Bleus from crossing the line but are left to rue lack of possession

Ryan Grant recalled to Scotland squad after acquittal on assault charge

Grant’s Warriors team-mate Ryan Wilson must faces disciplinary hearing next week

Munster show up this time and take home a Christmas bonus

Clermont in control of Pool One after completing double at Stade Michelin

Munster face uphill task to secure survival in European Champions Cup

Clermont drew enough blood in Thomond to finish job at home

Three key battles pivotal to Munster v Clermont showdown

O’ Connell v Bonnaire; Keatley v Lopez; Stander v Lee

Gerry Thornley previews the European Champions Cup

New era in Europe may see Irish provinces lose out to super rich French and English sides

Australia take series with dull 6-0 win over France

Both sides guilty of making too many errors in uninspiring clash at the Docklands stadium

France mown down by Australia in Brisbane

Hosts were 41 points up at one stage prior to a late rally from the tourists

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