VIVE LA FRANCE!

IT FEELS like the good old days; a reassuring throw-back to vintage seasons past.

Toulouse are blasting towards the quarterfinals of Europe’s blue-riband event after their victory at Wasps on Saturday, with a balanced blend of flair and force.

Continental rugby needs the marquee French clubs. The Champions Cup becomes worryingly one- dimensional if English becomes the only remaining knock- out language. Here’s hoping that Clermont return to the top table next season and Perpignan rise again — maybe even Biarritz too, one day.

These teams and exotic locations give European rugby its distinct flavour.