Part two of Morgane Bourgeois’ column from inside the France squad: The home matches against Scotland and Wales.
A duel between the two best nines on planet rugby is a mouth-watering aspect of the likely Six Nations title decider between Ireland and France.
When the full-time whistle sounded at Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle fans groaned as many of their rugby heroes fell to the ground.
La Rochelle have gone for an aggressive 7-1 split on the bench for their Champions Cup showdown with Leinster, though they will be without their towering Wallaby lock Will Skelton.
La Rochelle player ratings: La Rochelle demonstrated why they are two-time Champions Cup winners, showing composure and grit in a hard-fought 24-20 away victory.
Ronan O'Gara has laid to rest any concerns that he may rest some of his La Rochelle stars for their opening match of the Investec Champions Cup by naming a formidable outfit to run out at Bath's Rec on Friday.
Ahead of the Autumn Nations Series, head coach Pablo Bouza has selected his 42-man Spain squad for their upcoming fixtures against Uruguay, Fiji and the United States of America.
Former New Zealand Under 20 and Bay of Plenty backrower Kohan Herbert will start for the Queensland Reds on Sunday afternoon.
Before the Australia XV gets their two-match tour underway next month, seven members of that squad will pull on a Queensland Reds jersey.
Gloucester and Connacht claimed emphatic Challenge Cup wins in round four, while Lyon and Stade Francais also secured victories.