French rugby Updates : Le café du Rugby.

thomond2006 · 17-02-2019 2:15pm

His comments on Belleau are gold.

He's got the French team virus, he doesn't know how to play anymore! :pac:

troyzer · 17-02-2019 3:09pm

Asking for a DNA test. Hilarious.

Burkie1203 · 17-02-2019 4:58pm

Flaky Finn mixing the ridiculous and the sublime so far.

Toulouse 7 up after 7

Dave_The_Sheep · 17-02-2019 5:07pm

Entertaining game, this. Toulouse really here to play from anywhere.

Burkie1203 · 17-02-2019 5:08pm

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

Entertaining game, this. Toulouse really here to play from anywhere.

Sounds like big Toulouse crowd travelled up too

Burkie1203 · 17-02-2019 5:31pm

12-27 Just before HT. Cracking game.

Burkie1203 · 17-02-2019 6:00pm

Toulouse could win this Euro QF in 6 weeks.

Racing look a bit disorganised

troyzer · 17-02-2019 6:02pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Toulouse could win this Euro QF in 6 weeks.

Racing look a bit disorganised

They're ****e.

Would I be right in saying Toulouse are down more players than Racing? It certainly looks that way.

Burkie1203 · 17-02-2019 6:07pm

troyzer wrote: »

They're ****e.

Would I be right in saying Toulouse are down more players than Racing? It certainly looks that way.

Yeah they are. All R92 good stuff is individual rather than collective

Zebo has spent most of the day strolling around looking disinterested. And just got charged down for a Toulouse 4th Try

Russell when off for HIA and never came back. Scotland play France next week

Buer · 17-02-2019 6:07pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Toulouse could win this Euro QF in 6 weeks.

Racing look a bit disorganised

I would have given them a very good chance of winning before this game. Racing have a very good team but had a very handy pool which flattered them somewhat. Toulouse have absolutely no fear of them or of going away to Paris unlike other sides.

I'm fully convinced they deliberately avoided the BP at home to Bath in their final pool game to give themselves a trip to Racing.

Whilst these two sides are missing players, they're still pretty strong. I'd expect about 10 of this Racing 23 to be starting the QF.

troyzer · 17-02-2019 6:10pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

troyzer wrote: »

They're ****e.

Would I be right in saying Toulouse are down more players than Racing? It certainly looks that way.

Yeah they are. All R92 good stuff is individual rather than collective

Zebo has spent most of the day strolling around looking disinterested. And just got charged down for a Toulouse 4th Try

Russell when off for HIA and never came back. Scotland play France next week

This is a really good sign for Leinster. Racing are such a rabble. I wouldn't be worried about going over for a semi but you'd expect Toulouse to win comfortably in the quarters based on that.

Which means a home semi for Leinster.

Buer · 17-02-2019 6:12pm

troyzer wrote: »

They're ****e.

Would I be right in saying Toulouse are down more players than Racing? It certainly looks that way.

Toulouse have more players in the French squad but Racing are missing a few guys through injury such as Machenaud, Le Roux and Ryan. Vakatawa is also back in Fiji for his mother's funeral.

Dave_The_Sheep · 17-02-2019 6:24pm

Good score, for me.

[edit] Actually, that angle shows a forward pass.

troyzer · 17-02-2019 6:24pm

Great finish but forward pass is the right decision.

A-Train · 17-02-2019 6:26pm

troyzer wrote: »

Great finish but forward pass is the right decision.

No argument even the hands are going forward

Eod100 · 17-02-2019 6:32pm

Toulouse 1st ahead of this match, know Racing are at home but doesn't seem too surprising a result

Eod100 · 17-02-2019 6:38pm

Could be 4 Top 14 clubs in this season's CC not making it next season, Castres, Racing, Montpellier and Toulon.

Burkie1203 · 17-02-2019 11:11pm

https://twitter.com/drew_mitchell/status/1097244666913669120?s=19

cameramonkey · 17-02-2019 11:57pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Yeah they are. All R92 good stuff is individual rather than collective

Zebo has spent most of the day strolling around looking disinterested. And just got charged down for a Toulouse 4th Try

Russell when off for HIA and never came back. Scotland play France next week

Watched a match a few weeks ago, Zebo was crap. was culpable in two tries and as you say looked totally disinterested just strolling around. He aslo looks like he put on a few pounds, French rugby seems to suit him.

ArmchairQB · 18-02-2019 10:31am

cameramonkey wrote: »

Watched a match a few weeks ago, Zebo was crap. was culpable in two tries and as you say looked totally disinterested just strolling around. He aslo looks like he put on a few pounds, French rugby seems to suit him.

Dont tell Luke Fitz or Tony Ward they think he is the Messiah!!

Buer · 18-02-2019 11:04am

Here are the highlights of the Racing vs Toulouse game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYg6zL9YVCk

Defending optional for both teams.

pickarooney · 18-02-2019 11:38am

cameramonkey wrote: »

Watched a match a few weeks ago, Zebo was crap. was culpable in two tries and as you say looked totally disinterested just strolling around. He aslo looks like he put on a few pounds, French rugby seems to suit him.

He was voted signing of the season so far in January.

Buer · 18-02-2019 11:45am

pickarooney wrote: »

He was voted signing of the season so far in January.

Hard to argue with it, in fairness. He has 12 tries this season which is fantastic. He has clearly gelled with the team and appears to be something of a fan favourite. As long as he knows where the try line is, he'll be alright.

But good christ has he hit the croissants hard. He's build more like Caucau now than the Zebo who was playing for Ireland a couple of years ago.

Eod100 · 18-02-2019 3:53pm

Talk of Rhys Webb moving back to Wales at end of season from Toulon. Has a year to go but Mourad going to release him apparently. Doesn't sound like the best of environments down there but presumably chance to play with Wales in RWC motivating factor too.

troyzer · 18-02-2019 4:03pm

Eod100 wrote: »

Talk of Rhys Webb moving back to Wales at end of season from Toulon. Has a year to go but Mourad going to release him apparently. Doesn't sound like the best of environments down there but presumably chance to play with Wales in RWC motivating factor too.

His family had already moved back to Wales.

Mourad is clearly just trying to firesale his most expensive assets, avoid relegation and start again after the World Cup.

Eod100 · 18-02-2019 4:40pm

troyzer wrote: »

His family had already moved back to Wales.

Mourad is clearly just trying to firesale his most expensive assets, avoid relegation and start again after the World Cup.

Didn't realise they were so low in table. Challenges Cup seems a certainty next season then.

thomond2006 · 18-02-2019 4:42pm

Eod100 wrote: »

Didn't realise they were so low in table. Challenges Cup seems a certainty next season then.

It's likely the same for Montpellier also, but Clermont will be returning as they are second in the table.

Eod100 · 18-02-2019 4:50pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

It's likely the same for Montpellier also, but Clermont will be returning as they are second in the table.

Could see them do well in Challenge Cup knockouts this season too. La Rochelle on other side of draw too could be all French final.

cameramonkey · 18-02-2019 7:13pm

pickarooney wrote: »

He was voted signing of the season so far in January.

Racing are 7th in the league. I have now watched two Racing games where Zebo has been an absolute train wreck. He looks like he dosnt care and his body shape says the same, he looks like a telly tubby not a professional rugby player. In the above linked video against Toulouse he is really not playing well and dosnt even seem to be totally engaged in the game.

The charged down try is an absolute joke, his lackadaisical attitude is there for everyone to see, the chaser actually dosnt attempt to charge the Zebo,he throws his arm up to protect his head at the last minute when Zebo kicks the ball straight into him. Watch it again to see how unbelievably bad it is.

In the other try where the ball gets kicked over the top Zebo gets absolutely burned for pace. In the reverse shot as he canters back you can see that if he continues with his love affair for the undoubted lovely cuisine in France he will soon need and bra and girdle.

People calling for his inclusing into the Irish set up should watch a few of his games, he is not good at the moment.

Stone Gossard · 18-02-2019 7:29pm

cameramonkey wrote: »

Racing are 7th in the league. I have now watched two Racing games where Zebo has been an absolute train wreck. He looks like he dosnt care and his body shape says the same, he looks like a telly tubby not a professional rugby player. In the above linked video against Toulouse he is really not playing well and dosnt even seem to be totally engaged in the game.

The charged down try is an absolute joke, his lackadaisical attitude is there for everyone to see, the chaser actually dosnt attempt to charge the Zebo,he throws his arm up to protect his head at the last minute when Zebo kicks the ball straight into him. Watch it again to see how unbelievably bad it is.

In the other try where the ball gets kicked over the top Zebo gets absolutely burned for pace. In the reverse shot as he canters back you can see that if he continues with his love affair for the undoubted lovely cuisine in France he will soon need and bra and girdle.

People calling for his inclusing into the Irish set up should watch a few of his games, he is not good at the moment.

I've watched 90% of his games...and for the most part your post is balderdash.
Last weekend the team was shorn of 6 first team players...and it showed...
The Ireland thing is a moot point...it isn't happening..but to say he's he's been playing rubbish...well....we all know that isn't true

cameramonkey · 18-02-2019 7:37pm

Stone Gossard wrote: »

I've watched 90% of his games...and for the most part your post is balderdash.
Last weekend the team was shorn of 6 first team players...and it showed...
The Ireland thing is a moot point...it isn't happening..but to say he's he's been playing rubbish...well....we all know that isn't true

Was he good in the game yesterday?

If you as a professional rugby player are not in as good physical condition as you possible can be then you cannot play at the top of your game. If you are overweight I believe that you are not showing the fans and team the respect that you should, from his performance and appearance yesterday I believe he is not trying his best for the club.

Burkie1203 · 18-02-2019 8:38pm

Stone Gossard wrote: »

.
Last weekend the team was shorn of 6 first team players...and it showed...

The Ireland thing is a moot point...it isn't happening..but to say he's he's been playing rubbish...well....we all know that isn't true

They still had a strong side out and Toulouse were missing quite a few first XV players too. Its not a valid excuse for Zebos poor performance yesterday. Plenty of others were able to play well like Imhoff

Stone Gossard · 18-02-2019 9:17pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

They still had a strong side out and Toulouse were missing quite a few first XV players too. Its not a valid excuse for Zebos poor performance yesterday. Plenty of others were able to play well like Imhoff

He had a poor game yesterday... but the argument being made was that was the norm...it isn't...not by a long chalk..he's actually playing very, very well this season... but it won't suit some people's narrative...

Zzippy · 19-02-2019 10:46am

Stone Gossard wrote: »

He had a poor game yesterday... but the argument being made was that was the norm...it isn't...not by a long chalk..he's actually playing very, very well this season... but it won't suit some people's narrative...

Ah come on, he's scoring a few tries but he's just jogging around in defence, and he's looking quite porky. No excuse for lack of professionalism and letting your condition get so bad. I can't believe the Racing S&C team allowed him to get so out of shape. Jesus, I played club hurling and it was barely acceptable for lads to turn up for pre-season looking like that. And if you did you had 6 weeks of pure torture to look forward to...

cameramonkey · 19-02-2019 3:12pm

Stone Gossard wrote: »

He had a poor game yesterday... but the argument being made was that was the norm...it isn't...not by a long chalk..he's actually playing very, very well this season... but it won't suit some people's narrative...

I would not be surprised if he was dropped considering the way he has been playing and his physical shape. Plenty of players seem to go to France now for a bit of relaxation and big pay days but dont want to put in the work. looks like Zebo might be joining that gang.

I cant imagine Munster letting him away with that conditioning, he seems to have a decent start to the season but now he looks like he needs a good kick up the arse.

razorblunt · 19-02-2019 4:03pm

He started to put on a few pounds towards the end of his time with Munster though, Russell is another fella who's not in prime condition too.

Buer · 19-02-2019 5:03pm

razorblunt wrote: »

He started to put on a few pounds towards the end of his time with Munster though, Russell is another fella who's not in prime condition too.

Think he has more than just a few pounds. He literally has a spare tyre visible through his jersey.

I think it's funny, to be honest. If I could eat all around me and still score 12 tries for a side like Racing, I would be happy as a pig in sh*te. He's literally having his cake and eating it. And I'd say his employers don't give a fiddlers. Everytime he gets a try, Jacky Lorenzetti gives him a biscuit.

Former Former · 19-02-2019 5:10pm

cameramonkey wrote: »

I cant imagine Munster letting him away with that conditioning, he seems to have a decent start to the season but now he looks like he needs a good kick up the arse.

Sure with all the extra padding lately, he probably wouldn't even feel it

Squidgy Black · 19-02-2019 6:56pm

Relevant Instagram story from Healy today....

uBGBTZc_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

CatFromHue · 19-02-2019 8:12pm

Zzippy wrote: »

I can't believe the Racing S&C team allowed him to get so out of shape.

It's pretty common for players to to France and get out of shape, for a pro player that is.

The Springbok's and I think the Welsh national teams have said that they have to try and get the French based players fitness up when they come into camp.

I know they do like their players to be built a bit different over there but listening to Jackman talk about coaching over there and it's a right head scratcher.

troyzer · 19-02-2019 9:03pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Relevant Instagram story from Healy today....

A prop calling out a winger for being fat.

Ouch.

Clegg · 19-02-2019 9:48pm

Hint of cleavage there?

19-02-2019 10:01pm

Clegg wrote: »

Hint of cleavage there?

Made+me+think+of+little+britain+p+_90629531cd5263e44c55582ecb59373c.jpg

Eod100 · 02-03-2019 10:46am

Good to see Donnacha Ryan back on bench for Racing. Russell starting at 10 (Townsend must be delighted..). No Zebo. https://twitter.com/racing92/status/1101527523425284097?s=19

Eod100 · 02-03-2019 3:03pm

13 mins in and already 19-0 to Racing v La Rochelle. Thomas with 2 tries already.

Heymans · 02-03-2019 3:44pm

Eod100 wrote: »

13 mins in and already 19-0 to Racing v La Rochelle. Thomas with 2 tries already.

The Top 14 really is a joke to watch. The tackling at times has been abismal. Racing could win by 50 points it's so bad

cameramonkey · 03-03-2019 12:36am

Eod100 wrote: »

Good to see Donnacha Ryan back on bench for Racing. Russell starting at 10 (Townsend must be delighted..). No Zebo. https://twitter.com/racing92/status/1101527523425284097?s=19

Heard they couldn't get Zebo out of the patisserie.

Eod100 · 03-03-2019 1:32pm

Perpignan 8-17 Toulon at ht. Perpignan lead 8-0, Toulon got pen then 2 tries before ht.

Perpignan look almost certain to be relegated, only on 8 points currently. Grenoble on 20.

Even with a 5 pointer today, looks like Toulon will be playing their rugby in Challenge Cup next season.

Former Former · 03-03-2019 3:36pm

And no Jackson in the 23 again.

At this stage they'd surely release him if someone wanted him?

Eod100 · 03-03-2019 3:43pm

Former Former wrote: »

And no Jackson in the 23 again.

At this stage they'd surely release him if someone wanted him?

He was on bench alright, came on about 55 mins

French rugby Updates : Le café du Rugby.

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