FFR trying to avoid paying coach who failed in his efforts to restore Gallic flair and pride

In wake of poor 2017 results, Guy Noves replaced by former Italy and Perpignan coach

Tournament of close contests was hardly vintage but compellingly tribal as ever

Les Bleus will arrive in Dublin with most settled team and squad since Laporte days

This year’s series is going to be more brutally physical and exacting than its predecessors

Powerful Toulon centre in the frame for the opener against England at Twickenham

Joe Schmidt’s aiming to beat France four times in row and good start will be half battle

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

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

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

This is the game les Bleus are targeting as the one most likely to define their campaign

World Cup quarter-final loss typifies decline with inspiration long gone from French game

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

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

‘I didn’t even watch’ the defeat to France in 2007, says New Zealand centre Williams

Heroic team paid dearly in blood, sweat and tears for an epic victory

Schmidt’s men set for quarter-final with Argentina after magnificent display

“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

Bare knuckle ride in prospect as crunch pool game against French likely to be attritional

Centre Wesley Fofana replaces Alexandre Dumoulin as Brice Dulin also comes in

New Zealand-born prop likely to provide a huge physical challenge off the bench against Ireland

‘It is imperative to go after him, to tire him so that he finds it tough to make the calls’

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

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

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

Warren Gatland’s men overcome steep odds after England fail to convert superiority

Cameras showed France coach berating side after poor first half display against Romania

Remi Lamerat or Maxime Medard expected to be named as replacement

Italian indiscipline ensured the result was never in doubt at Twickenham

Second time around, no-frills flanker wants to make the most of the World Cup

Rugby Correspondent Gerry Thornley sets the scene for Rugby World Cup 2015

Scots gamble on passing up on kickable penalty to go for win, but come up short

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

Toulon outhalf became France’s all-time record points scorer during win over England

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

Test against France a vital opportunity to seal a coveted place in World Cup squad

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

Coach feels Munster have made progress this season despite the final defeat by Glasgow and a need to manage big games better