French rugby Updates : Le café du Rugby.

BoarHunter wrote: »

Sad news for rugby. In the aftermath of the Hcup, Jean Baptiste Elissalde announced his retirement from the game.

A great player with superb vision. i will miss watching him play.

BoarHunter wrote: »

In the coming years teams such as Lyon and Bordeaux will arise under the financing of big industrial groups. The only sad thing is that all these little places who were mad about rugby won't be able to compete with this.

BoarHunter wrote: »

Hi Thomond, i'm going to look into this for you. give me a little while. My first guess would be that HCup tickets are available only at the stadiums since French clubs are aware that irish and UK supporters will otherwise buy all the tickets online

Let me confirm that to you in a sec

Ailing French rugby giants Stade Francais' future was plunged into doubt further on Tuesday after it was revealed former coach Bernard Laporte was suing the Canadian foundation FACEM for fraud after they failed to produce the 12million euros they had promised to invest in the club.

Laporte, formerly also coach of the French national side and then secretary of state for sports from 2007-09, had announced with some fanfare earlier this month he had persuaded FACEM to invest the 12million euros which would pay off the club's debt and save it from relegation owing to its parlous finances.

However, a source close to the judicial enquiry confirmed to AFP that Laporte had made a formal complaint on Monday or Tuesday to the under-secretariat of the fraud office.

According to the websites l'Equipe.fr and Rugbyrama.fr the Canadians had not come up with the money by Monday evening, which precipitated Laporte's complaint.

Stade Français also announced that club president Max Guazzini was taking legal action.

"In both his role as President of Stade Francais and on a personal note, he has made a formal complaint against X in Paris for fraud.

"In fact, after an enquiry made last weekend, it appeared that the documents and guarantees furnished by the FACEM Corporation, rubberstamped by a major international bank, were false.

"The FACEM Corporation, via the Rugby Developpements Society, committed themselves to take a majority shareholding in Stade Français Paris by increasing its capital by 12million euros.

"It was only at a meeting yesterday (Monday) afternoon, at the headquarters of this bank that Stade Français Paris had confirmation of this fraud in which it is the victim," the club added in a statement.

The 12million euros would have represented a 66percent stakeholding in the club.

Without that cash injection Stade would face almost certain relegation as they have accumulated debts of 5million euros - mainly because of the failure of the advertising company Sportys.

Their financial health will now be re-examined by the Rugby National League's financial committee on June 27.

"Since last night (Monday) a new round of talks has been opned so as to ensure the the future and the long term health of the club," Stade announced in a statement.

Laporte, who guided France to two successive World Cup semi-finals in 2003 and 2007, has a strong attachment to the club. Having been lured there by flamboyant owner Guazzini he took them from the third division to the first before winning the championship in 1998.

Financed by radio mogul Guazzini's money they went on to win another four national titles in the next decade and reach the European Cup final twice.

However, success on the pitch has disappeared since their last title in 2007, failing to reach the Top 14 play-offs the past two seasons - though they lost to English side Harlequins in the final minutes of the European Challenge Cup final last term.

They sought to reduce their huge wage bill as soon as the season ended.
England flanker James Haskell was the highest profile name to be cut from the roster.

He was joined on the departures list by Ollie Phillips, Hugo Southwell, Arnaud Marchois, Noel Oelschig, Juan Leguizamon and Mauro Bergamasco.
On the flip side, however, they have been shopping around for new blood, albeit largely in the shape of former stars past their prime.

Twelve new arrivals have been announced, among them the former All Black scrum half Byron Kelleher from Toulouse, Australian fly-half Paul Warwick from Munster as well as the Toulon pair Felipe Contepomi and Paul Sackey.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h0OGpBV-Ir1-gR5UM_zfgYS7BCxw?docId=CNG.ec1ca707e5ead72afaed8780a6c517c1.521

'If we don't find the money, then we are finished,' said Guazzini.

'We will be relegated to Federale 1 (third division),' commented Guazzini, who added that in such a scenario the club would be obliged to file for bankruptcy.

Guazzini, a qualified lawyer who advised senior Socialist politicians and then made his fortune from NRJ radio station, earlier told radio station France Info it didn't matter who came forward with the money as their situation was so desperate.

'Everyone can come to Stade Français,' said the 63-year-old.
Either to make a donation or to take majority control of the club.
The situation today, is that it is a battle to save a magnificent club, a world rugby mark, a very popular club.

'Me, I will leave, I will give way to someone who really wants the job. There are people in this country who love sport and rugby and who have enough money to save the club.'

Guazzini said that there was some light at the end of the tunnel.

'There are negotiations going on, that is all I can say at this stage.'