The Clermont back-rower still cannot quite fathom how Ireland shut down Les Bleus in last season's fraught 15-13 victory that was snatched with Johnny Sexton's last-gasp monster drop-goal.

British and Irish Lions flanker Sean O'Brien has been omitted from Ireland's squad for Sunday's Guinness Six Nations clash with France.

RORY KEANE AT LANSDOWNE ROAD: That’s more like it. This was a return to the capital punishment that Ireland inflicted on the All Blacks last November. . 

With prop Demba Bamba out with a thigh problem, France announced on social media that Uini Atonio (below) would replace him. But they deleted the tweet after discovering he was injured.

France Galop president consulted with members of the French Government with the parties giving themselves 48 hours to come up with agreement on how racing will deal with impact of coronavirus.

French racing moved a step closer to returning at Longchamp next Monday (May 11) after the French racing authorities were given permission to stage the meeting by Paris police.

The club'sformer captain announced he was leaving his role as technical director last week, which brought an end to his 30-year affiliation with the club. Totti has been spotted enjoying a break.

Germany's players have taken to Twitter ahead of their second game of Euro 2016 Group C against Poland at the Stade de France. Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger both got involved.

One of Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, Northern Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland and Wales are guaranteed a place in the final - none of whom have a major international honour to their name.

After 17 days and 44 matches, Euro 2016 has now reached crunch time with eight teams left to battle it out for glory in France as the tournament reaches the finishing straight.

With seven games of the tournament remaining, kicking off with Poland's quarter-final clash against Portugal on Thursday night, three players sit top of the standings with three goals each.

Germany's home clash with France is the most mouth-watering tie on Thursday, as the reigning World Cup winners look to continue their dominance with victory over the 2014 champions.

Frances Abbott, the daughter of former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott, has shared a rare photo and her thoughts on 'self-love' on Instagram after moving to the United States.

Frances Loch, 28, posted a photo of her wedding day that highlighted how much her life has changed since she wed Sam Loch on Valentines Day 2018 - most notably her radically different haircut.

The beauty, 24, shared several short clips of her chatting about trying out a new hair do on Instagram on Wednesday night, but wrote on one of her posts: 'I'm a really ugly blonde'.

With a sheer floral shirt revealing a bright yellow bra the Love Island star brought the sun to an otherwise rainy night as she stepped out for a sushi dinner at Amazonico, in Mayfair, London.

A dozen Berliet VXB-170s will be deployed against thousands of demonstrators who have pledged to bring chaos to the capital, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe confirmed.

French security forces are ready to smother the centre of Paris with a chemical weapon in a bid to keep rioters away from key buildings. The country has been hit by five weekends of violence.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said events in London meant Britain crashing out in 71 days was now 'less and less unlikely'.

The White House said 'we remember with grateful hearts the tolling of Notre Dame’s bells' in 2001 in 'recognition of the tragic September 11th attacks on American soil. Those bells will sound again.'

The bells of Westminster Abbey rang out on Tuesday in solidarity with France after the devastating fire that gutted Notre Dame Cathedral, Theresa May said.

The tragic youngster was a stowaway on an Air France plane from Abidjan in the Ivory Coast to France, it has been reported. Air France says an investigation into the death is ongoing.

The zebra, joined by two horses, had escaped from a zoo in Ormesson-sur-Marne after the gate to its enclosure was left open on Friday evening. The animal ran on the road alongside moving traffic.

Tear gas and baton charges were fired by police in the Parisian suburb of Villeneuve-la-Garenne early this morning.

Laura Trott has hit out at the current campaign for a women's Tour de France, though she remains adamant sport's ultimate challenge opened up.

Paris Hilton was seen wiping away a tear as she visited the Bataclan theatre in the French capital to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the terror attack almost a month ago.

Diesel, a seven-year-old Belgian shepherd who died ive days after the Paris attacks in November, will posthumously receive the Dickin Medal.

France take on Russia in their first game back at the Stade de France since November's terrorist attacks in Paris. Les Bleus were photographed meeting fans in the city on Tuesday morning.

The Paris region has seen a 6.4 per cent decline in tourists in the first half of 2016, officials said on Tuesday. They blamed terror attacks as well as strikes and floods for the slump.

The haul, which had a potential street value of around £20 million, was discovered within a number of plywood boxes in a lorry carrying a consignment of car parts.

DEREK LAWRENSON - WORLD OF GOLF: The best golfer of last year says he needs to wait until the end of the season to work out why this campaign has not gone to plan.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I was not surprised in the slightest at Scotland turning over France because they are a good and improving side. France are still a long way from the finished article.

Scotland earned an emphatic victory over France as Les Bleus saw their chances of a first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2011 end at Murrayfield.

The Welsh face an unbeaten French side in Cardiff on Saturday. Wayne Pivac's side come into the game on the back of a defeat in Dublin to the Irish - their first Six Nations loss since 2018.

Les Bleus are unbeaten in the tournament so far after wins against England and Italy at home but Wales lock Jake Ball has warned they are ready to make the most of a 'hostile' atmosphere in Cardiff.

EXCLUSIVE: When it comes to Shaun Edwards and rugby, emotion usually drives everything. But Saturday's Wales clash is strictly business. He does not do teary-eyed returns.

Wales have brought in Ross Moriarty and Gareth Davies for their next Six Nations match against France as Wayne Pivac made two changes for the Cardiff Test.

WILL KELLEHER AT THE PRINCIPALITY STADIUM: Wayne Pivac was left livid with two decisions costing Wales a win over France as they lost at home in the Six Nations for the first time in three years.

Frances Valentine launched the 'Healthcare Hero' initiative. The fashion label is selling its most popular bag at a deep discount and then donating one bag for every one sold to hospitals.

Former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone has been given the all clear following a 'tough battle' with cancer, the 39-year-old Italian has said.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I must admit to just shaking my head earlier this week when Eddie Jones started talking about making England into the greatest-ever rugby team.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: It is very seldom I tip against England, if ever, as I just never see them losing at rugby. But I must confess I make France the favourites in Paris.

Eddie Jones is poised to stay in his role as England head coach through to the 2023 World Cup, after agreeing terms with the RFU to extend his contract.

PETE JENSON: Members of Barcelona's board have travelled to Paris to try and settle a deal to bring Neymar back to the Nou Camp. The La Liga giants are preparing a final bid for him.

French racing has been on hold since March due to the coronavirus crisis, but is set to make a high-profile return with no less than four Group races on the card.

A report suggested a late challenge may be made to the decision to allow racing to return, with France Galop and its trotting equivalent saying they had been in talks regarding resumption plans.

The eighth Women's World Cup gets underway in Paris on Friday evening as host nation France take on South Korea at the Parc des Princes in the first game of the tournament.

Kylian Mbappe set the ball rolling with an early opener before Wissam Ben Yedder, Florian Thauvin and Kurt Zouma all scored their first international goals to complete a straightforward win.

The forward travelled to California to sit courtside as the Toronto Raptors became the first ever Canadian team to win the NBA on Friday. He posted a photo alongside James on Saturday.

England suffered heartbreak in Cesena after an Aaron Wan-Bissaka own-goal gifted France a stoppage time victory in a thrilling Under 21 European Championship clash.