What France, Ireland and England need to win the championship - Ireland had their hopes of an historic third straight outright Six Nations title dented by defeat to France

JAMES LOWE suffered a back injury during the warm-up before Ireland’s crunch clash against France. The Leinster winger was down to start on the left wing, but picked up a back spasm shortly

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Simon Easterby sent a key email just two days after Wales were put to the sword by Ireland at the Six Nations.

Doris, Bealham and Conan are all set to make their 50th appearances for Ireland this weekend, as Ireland host France at the Aviva Stadium in a potential Championship decider.

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby insist his side were better than the scoreline suggested in their 42-27 defeat to France at Aviva Stadium.

SIMON EASTERBY says that giving Peter O’Mahony an Aviva farewell was one of his easiest decisions ever. O’Mahony, 35, will play his final home game for Ireland in Dublin tomorrow against France.

Simon Easterby says Jamie Osborne's versatility is a key reason for the 23-year-old's inclusion on the wing for Saturday's crucial Guinness Six Nations meeting with France.

But the floodgates eventually opened, with tournament top-scorer Louis Bielle-Biarrey twice getting over the line in a dominant 27-42 away win. O'Driscoll - a veteran of 15 years in the Ireland international set-up - was brutally honest in his assessment of the match.

Ireland host France on Saturday in a Six Nations match that Irish interim head coach Simon Easterby says has "become a crux game" in where the championship might head.

Speaking following Frances big Six Nations win vs Ireland, head coach Fabien Galthie said ruck clear-out which caused injury to Antoine Dupont was reprehensible, calling for Tadhg Beirne, Andrew Porter to be cited: we are angry;

Ireland suffered a significant setback before kick-off when James Lowe withdrew due to a back spasm to be replaced on the left wing by Calvin Nash. Retiring centurions Peter O'Mahony, Healy and Conor Murray led out the teams to a deafening noise ahead of their final Test outings on home soil,