After a summer of disharmony, Les Bleus are back in action with their talisman Antoine Dupont but there are problems from within the ranks
How many minutes do top players actually play? And why can't France take their front-liners to New Zealand?
Fabian Galthie's baby-faced assassins put behind them a challenging week off the pitch to push an experienced Argentinean side in Buenos Aires. Snatching the lead early in the second half following a furious comeback, Les Bleus looked set to complete a first series win in Argentina since 1998.
Bordeaux-Begles suffered a record 59 - 3 defeat at the hands of Toulouse in Marseille in what was a tough pill to swallow for a side that has been magnificent this season.
Homegrown talent and wise recruitment have taken Bordeaux to the brink of emulating Toulouse's success.
Multiple stars were born, especially from the better performing European teams who had the advantage of having a taxing Six Nations tournament some months earlier which helped to give them an advantage versus their southern hemisphere rivals.
Les Bleus had won the 2018 and 2019 tournament finals in Beziers and Rosario but the pandemic forced the cancellation of the next three tournaments before it returned in 2023.
Harlequins rugby director Billy Millard reflected on a proud and emotional occasion after his team reached the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals in dramatic fashion by beating Bordeaux-Begles.
Harlequins produced a stunning upset as they reached the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals by beating French heavyweights Bordeaux-Begles 42-41 in a remarkable game at Stade Chaban-Delmas.
Saracens bowed out of this year’s Investec Champions Cup despite a brave defensive performance for an hour in a 45-12 defeat at Bordeaux.