The approaching return to Ukraine of the “Anne of Kyiv” brigade, after more than two months of intense military training in eastern and southern France, comes at another critical juncture in the almost three-year war.

A French military task force with a festive name — “Champagne” — is wrapping up a mission that's no party: training a whole new brigade of several thousand Ukrainian troops who will be joining the fight against Russia's invasion armed with France-supplied tanks,

Bordeaux fullback Romain Buros makes his test debut for France in one of four changes from the side which routed Japan to face New Zealand in autumn rugby at Stade de France.

New Zealand's Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor have returned to the side to face France in Paris on Saturday, having recovered after concussion forced them off against England two weeks ago. The pair have successfully completed head injury assessment protocols and were included in the team named on Thursday,

Fly-half Beauden Barrett comes into the All Blacks team to play France this weekend having overcome concussion, New Zealand Rugby announced on Thursday. New Zealand (15-1) Will Jordan; Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane,