In a unique approach to preparing for their upcoming Six Nations match against Ireland, France coach Fabien Galthie invited football icon Thierry Henry to join the team's camp. Henry, who earned 123 caps for France and won a World Cup and European Championship, has a complex history with the Irish team.

In the 49th minute, there they were, on the touchline – lurking. It was not quite full-blown Harold Wilson, but the sight of France’s front-five reinforcements removing their tracksuits at the Aviva Stadium was about as near as rugby comes to a “tanks on the lawn” moment;