By Tournament / Top 14

It may as well become an IPL-esque auction if more of England's top players are lured, like Wasps trio Riki Flutey, James Haskell and Tom Palmer, by France's bottomless pit of cash.

In a country where most are happy to work their 30-hour week for nothing more than a pichet of wine, some stinky cheese and a loin of pork, France's premier rugby competition, le Top 14, is now in pole position to race clear of the global market.

If Dan Carter's signature was the first, then the domino effect is likely to include Sebastien Chabal, Jonny Wilkinson and Lionel Nallet all trading up for a move to Paris' west border and Racing Metro 92.

With one of France's most decorated players, Pierre Berbezier, in charge, the enviable marketability of Paris' 'second club' could potentially trump all those around Europe.

Chabal's package, a reported cool £1.1 million according to the Daily Telegraph, includes sponsors' endorsements and image rights, which may not quite rival Brand Beckham but the caveman is equally as recognisable down every rue nationale in France.

All this for a bloke who doesn't even hold down a regular spot for Les Bleus illustrates the alarming 'money talks' model that shows no sign of halting.

Flutey will link up with Andy Goode at Brive while Messrs Haskell and Palmer can look forward to Moulin Rouge dancers and the rest of Max Guazzini's razzmatazz at Stade Francais.

The lack of a salary cap and stadiums funded by the local state reserves large chunks of revenue for high profile transfers.

England's clubs can't compete off the field and with Martin Johnson seemingly tearing up the agreement between Premier Rugby and the Rugby Football Union by selecting Brive's Andy Goode against Italy and Wales, a dangerous precedent has been set.

England's future could now rest in France as the free-ticket to fame, fortune and apparently 50 international caps proving just too hard to ignore.

You won't catch us having a go at French rugby at ScrumoftheEarth, not with the glut of tries and boutique-designed shirts that make Anglo-Welsh rugby matches look like a mother's meeting in Poole.

Too right. And following in Munster's tepid footsteps, another of European rugby’s unbeaten records vanishes...

So Stade Francais were toppled by Toulouse?

Two tries leading up to half-time from Clement Poitrenaud and Yannick Jauzion coupled with Juan Martin-Hernandez's premature exit and Lionel Beauxis’ wayward boot blew a black mist over a bumper Stade de France crowd.

I heard it was near 80,000 capacity?

Almost. Proving that apart from being gallery hunting, coffee drinking, sexual-orientated pretty folk, they do like their rugby up in the north.

Any other shocks?

Well Montauban exacted some revenge for last weekend’s Heineken Cup defeat by ending a 50-year barren spell in Clermont. It was especially sweet for Fijian flyer Vilimoni Delasau who touched down.

So what’s the gap at the top now then?

Stade remain four points clear but with Dan Carter’s imminent arrival, Perpignan look handily placed in third and six points off the top.

All eyes are on Perpignan this weekend...

Why is Dan Carter doing another fashion shoot for his jock-straps...

Not this weekend. Toulon are in town with Mourad Boudjellal teetering on the brink of insanity...

Insanity?

He doesn't realise why spending shed loads of cash doesn't bring instant success...

So any joy this weekend?

Their scrum endured a right old-fashioned mauling at the hands of Bayonne last week but the Catalans are even more ferocious and will chew and spit ou every last spare bit of fat on the 'million dollar' men's front-row.

About as much chance of Tana Umaga lasting the seasons then?

Absolutely. Check out Stade Francais. Parisians are known for indulging but six points clear and rolling out Sylvian Marconnet, Dimitri Szarzewski and Mauro Begamasco takes the baguette.

Who are heading up to the capital?

Montauban can deal with it - they're the highest scorers in the Top 14 - although we're not expecting miracles. There's more chance of Stade bringing out a decent shirt.

I like the Montpellier one...

Their alternative shirt is doing the trick with two wins from three on the road. Another win in Biarritz, who have Eddie O'Sullivan staying in a local hotel waiting impatiently by the phone, could see BO changing more than their stripes.

And with the Heineken Cup approaching, what's Toulouse form like?

Picking up nicely, just like Danny Cipriani's media darlingness. Jean-Baptiste Elissalde's timely return gives Byron Kelleher a much-needed break.