OK, so I picked up my Clio on Saturday and reluctantly paid the (mahoosive) bill.
Started the car and instantly noticed a difference. It sounded much healthier - there was a definite improvement. I think the bearing in the waterpump must of been grumbling for a while before the pump finally gave up, but also, after doing a bit more digging around on Clio Sport forums, the dephaser pulley can get noisy when tired. So changing this was a good shout, even though the local Renauly dealer had to order it as "We've never ever supplied one of those before mate".
I gave the car a wash and polish on Saturday afternoon (after a bit of a thrash around the B roads : ) and needless to say, we're friends again now