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 turn to those players set to miss part or in some cases all of the Championship.

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.

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 before the case was dismissed.

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.

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

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

Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou have been called up by France to prepare for the Six Nations after an Argentine court last month dropped aggravated sexual assault charges against the pair.

Scotland have been dealt a huge injury blow ahead of the Six Nations, with captain and influential midfielder Sione Tuipulotu a major doubt.

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.

Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, who were investigated for rape in Argentina before the case was dismissed last month, were both named Wednesday in France's 42-man squad for the Six Nations.