The intrepid have nothing on the Munster supporter who needs to find a way across land and sea to get to a European Cup game.

This week we will mostly be concerning ourselves with France’s European dominance, Beno Obano’s dreadful luck and the Six Nations portents… At least these games used to be competitive. There was once a time not all that long ago when you would need to win away from home to make sure of even having a sniff of qualification from the pool stages of the European Cup.

Following the Six Nations squad announcements and with the action closing in fast, our focus turns to those players set to miss part or in some cases all of the Championship.

Ireland captain Caelan Doris said there's a feeling in the camp that they did not reach their potential during the November internationals.

LEINSTER coach Leo Cullen expects some of his players will be taking on opponents not on the pitch today – but that is fine by him.  Cullen’s men are in La Rochelle for what has become

Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou have both been included in France’s matchday squad to face Wales in the first game of the Six Nations tournament next week.

It has that 'knock-out' feel to it," says Leinster boss Leo Cullen. "Winning is important because of the dynamic of the seedings

In December, the case against the 21-year-olds was dropped after the two forwards had faced accusations in July. Read more at straitstimes.com.

World Player of the Year Thierry Dusautoir gives his verdict on who will win the Six Nations - and gives his judgement on the job Ronan O'Gara is doing with La Rochelle

France face their trickier biennial Six Nations itinerary in oddly numbered years, with England in Twickenham and Ireland in the Aviva Stadium. Of their six titles since the expansion to the Six Nations, France have won only one championship in odd years.

France head coach Fabien Galthie said on Tuesday he and his coaches take "complete responsibility" for including two players in his Six Nations squad who were investigated for rape in Argentina

There will be a lot of focus on the Gauteng derby, which is the only Vodacom United Rugby Championship game to be played in South Africa, but this weekend is no less critical for the two coastal teams that will be playing overseas on Saturday night.