Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

French rugby Updates : Le café du Rugby.

12467133

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,592 ✭✭✭GerM


    Second half starting: http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/95222/2/watch-biarritz-olympique-vs-aviron-bayonnais.html

    12-6 to Biarritz. Only caught last 10 minutes of first half. Biarritz worth their lead from what I saw. Taking them on up front and making hard yards continually.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,592 ✭✭✭GerM


    18-6. Biarritz motoring and Bayonne not getting a sniff. Being completely beaten up in the forwards. Biarritz would be out of sight if Yachvilli was on the pitch; they've missed several kickable penalties.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,592 ✭✭✭GerM


    Bayonne creeping back into it with Phillips leading the way. One or two sloppy errors from Biarritz including knock ons and kicks out on the full give Bayonne field position which results in a couple of penalties. Boyet kicking perfectly.

    Flavell yellow card for very bad high tackle on Balshaw. Slid up but then drove him back and to the ground by the throat. Biarritz back in enemy territory but give away possession.

    Fitzgibbon ref I think. Some odd decisions but generally doing alright and keeping control of a very fired up encounter. He's definitely adapted his refereeing for the T14. Letting the scrums go completely with people popping up and binds breaking. Letting players make a mess of the rucks. No way he would ref it like this if it was Pro12. Interesting to see.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,592 ✭✭✭GerM


    Bayonne try! Cross field kick and Ngwenya makes a complete mess of it allowing Bayonne centre to collect and break through before offloading for a simple try. Boyet converts. Biarritz will be wondering how on earth they're behind here. They've thrown this away.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,217 Mod ✭✭✭✭CatFromHue


    Troy Flavell still plays :eek:


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,592 ✭✭✭GerM


    Bayonne knock on at 10m line in 79th minute. Biarritz pack down and drive Bayonne right back on scrum. Fitzgibbon finally gives a penalty at the scrum. Last kick of match and Biarritz nail it to win. Great scenes at final whistle, Biarritz players and supporters go crazy. Pure Basque derby passion. Not a classic spectacle but full of drama. Biarritz should have sewn it up long before though. Missed 3 or 4 penalties and a few very achievable drop goals.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    What was the score?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,930 ✭✭✭duckysauce


    21-19 to poxy Biarittz peno in the 81st min


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,592 ✭✭✭GerM


    What was the score?

    21-19. Peyrelongue with 5 pens and Traille with 2 drops. Boyet 4 pens, 1 conversion, Lacroix try. 3 yellow cards.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,262 ✭✭✭iroced


    I think the expression "match à l'ancienne" could not suit better yesterday's game.

    Can't believe Harinordoquy's father reaction though :eek:. That's just wrong for rugby... Anyway this refused try and this fight with Harinordoquy's dad is probably going to trigger passionate debates in France... :confused:


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 6,262 ✭✭✭iroced


    Great game from Montpellier tonight. We were in control during the whole game. Lyon had almost no opportunity to believe in something else than the defeat. We couldn't grab the WBP in the end but 3 days only after our intense battle against Clermont, an away victory 30-10 is much welcomed and very encouraging for the future. We were solid in the scrum again, efficient in our kicking (Moyano had a great game), unfortunately we made some mistakes in our attacking phases (hence our inability to get the WBP) but overall a very goog game.
    I know it was "only" the promotted Lyon but well in the beginning of the season we lost at home to Begles-Bordeaux, the other promotted team.

    Only bad news of the evening are Julien Thomas and Benjamin Thiery getting injured. Didn't look too bad for Thomas but it's a month for Thiery.

    Now, let's recover well and focus on the big game in Biarritz. A victory would re-open the chase towards European positions and TOP 14 final phases.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Can't wait for Toulouse vs Toulon on Saturday, should be a cracker.

    Ah nous les terribles guerriers du Pilou Pilou qui descendons la montagne vers la mer!!!! :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Great games coming up tommorrow: Toulouse vs Toulon at 1:05pm and Stade Francais vs Racing at 3:15pm at Stade de France. Wilkinson and Giteau both starting for Toulon. Watch out for Henry Chavancy of Racing at outside centre, potential international.

    111202compositionrm92.gif

    CompoSFExt(1).jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 528 ✭✭✭Drexl Spivey


    Tomorrow:

    World Sevens quarter final: France V South AFrica

    Toulon V Toulouse


    Hope those will be on Sky


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,001 ✭✭✭Hype710


    Going to the game at Stade de France tomorrow, hoping for a great game. Contepomi vs Hernandez should be fascinating


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,489 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    That winger, Saubade, he's good :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 528 ✭✭✭Drexl Spivey


    IRB Sevens: France moves on to the semi finals after an impressive win over South Africa 19 - 5


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,262 ✭✭✭iroced


    Great game from Toulouse. WBP against Toulon (33-12). Toulon was disappointing. They couldn't do anything wioth their attacking balls. Twice they were 15 against 14 and they only managed in conceding points...

    "Easy" victory for Clermont in the meantime (33-16). Castres only managed to deny them their WBP in the last min.


    Fantastic game at the moment in the "Parisian Derby". Stade Francais seems to have finally find their from after their great win in Perpignan last week. They really dominate this first half so far.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,889 ✭✭✭tolosenc


    Ah nous les terribles guerriers du Pilou Pilou qui descendons la montagne vers la mer!!!! :D

    Ta gueule, mec !

    :P

    "On vient, on gagne, et on s'en va !"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    ugh, Toulon, putain...


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 6,262 ✭✭✭iroced


    Great victory for Montpellier last Sunday. WBP in Biarritz ... despite their "traditionnal Blanco-esque refereeing" :P. We controlled the whole game (even when Biarritz was ahead). We played well. Dominated the scrum. Proposed some nice attacking phases. Paillaugue is improving fast. He now offers great competition to Julien Thomas at scrumhalf position. Biarritz only responded with a counter attack try (very very nice try by the way) and the strenght of their line-out (with their Norwegian lad I forgot the name of & Harinordoquy). Amorosino & Trinh-Duc were top class and both scored a great try.

    I was quite worried 10 days ago with this marathon week {Clermont (H) - Lyon (A) - Biarritz (A)}. 3 victories and 13 points after not only I'm relieved but I think we can start to be ambitious again :).

    It's really incredible how much the Leinster game changed our season so far. It could really be a major turning point !


    Only bad point again is the "injury list". Ouedraogo is now sidelined for 3 weeks with a rib injury. We can thank the FFR for making us play 3 times in a week with each time one day recovery less than our opponent. I hope they'll never ever talk about protecting the so-called physical integrity of the players because they've just really showed that they don't give a sh*t mad.gif.


    Also Perpignan lost (again — 7 defeats in a row !!! —) in Lyon. They are now just a couple of points on top of the relegation zone and it looks like they'll fight for their survival in the elite league this season...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,815 ✭✭✭Burgo




    heres the biarritz try, and it was a cracker to be sure.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,930 ✭✭✭duckysauce


    Cracking try and no help from Daddy either :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    http://www.rugby365.com/tournaments/super14/news/2831944.htm

    Toulon sign Flaky Freddie for next season. Can't really understand that one, they've plenty cover at 9 (Tillous-Borde, Cibray, Henjak, Magnaval) and 10 (Wilkinson, Giteau, Dumora).

    At least he's actually French qualified! :p


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,489 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Are there any French players left playing abroad now?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Jauzion signs on for another year at Toulouse while Poitrenauld signs on for 2 more.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    According to various reports in the French press, Toulouse hooker William Servat is set to become the latest high-profile player to join Toulon.

    33-year-old Servat, who has 43 caps for France, is believed to have agreed to a three-year deal starting next term.

    After 13 seasons at Stade Toulousain, the 2011 World Cup finalist is hoping to revitalise his career with the ambition of playing at the 2015 RWC in England.

    "I always saw myself as a one-club man but, little by little, I've started telling myself that might not necessarily be the case," admitted Servat in November after initially seeking a two-year extension at Toulouse.

    Now, la ''Bûche'' (the Log) seems set to follow the example of former team-team Cédric Heymans, who left for Bayonne after ten years in the Ville Rose.

    Servat is set to join the growing squad of superstars in Toulon with Sharks playmaker Frédéric Michalak having also recently agreed to join Mat Giteau, Jonny Wilkinson et al. on the French South coast.

    Club president Mourad Boudjellal has spoken of his desire to build an "army" capable of winning the Top 14 title.

    "We're looking for a loosehead prop, a hooker, a lock and a number eight," said Boudjellal recently, adding that the latter would be a world-class player.

    According the local newspaper Var Matin, at least five other players have agreed to join RCT including London Irish lock Nick Kennedy and England full-back Delon Armitage.

    The newspaper also suggests that a number of players including Laurent Emmanuelli, Eifion Lewis-Roberts, Jean-Philippe Genevois, Kris Chesney, Dean Schofield, Joe El Abd, Joe Van Niekerk, Fabien Cibray, Matt Henjak, Willie Mason and Christian Loamanu could all be released.

    http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_7406830,00.html

    Signing Servat would make sense, Bruno is probably retiring at the end of the season. I can't see Toulouse letting him go without a fight though.

    I'm not surprised they are looking for a second row, they are pretty light there in terms of quality in depth. Schofield and Chesney are average while it remains to be seen if Bakkies Botha can get back to his form a few seasons ago.

    I'm be shocked if they released Van Niekerk, unless his body is giving up. He's a top class backrower. Lobbe will be back come next season too after his RWC knee injury.

    I wish they'd stop signing average English players though. Armitage would fit in quickly because he speaks French but he's a liability. Nick Kennedy is nothing special either. For a team with serious cash they'd want to recruit better than that.

    Anytime I've seen Henjak play at 9 I've been really impressed. He's restricted at Toulon because he's a non EU player and only plays when the likes of Hayman are left out. He'll sign for a good club I'd say.

    Mason only came off the bench once for Toulon since he signed, the Toulon fans are calling him "the tourist". Rumour is he'll be back playing in the NRL next year.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 146 ✭✭Lapsed Catholic


    Agree re the mediocracy of the players from the English PL. An over rated league IMO. The Top 14 seems to be a step up but there are a lot of average games and players around. USAP went from champions to non runners in 3 seasons, bar a run in the HC last season. Like any league there are 3-4 teams of quality and the rest make up the numbers. Castres are second in the table but got stuffed by Saints and were beaten by Munster at home. A Munster team in transition.

    I like the Top 14 and have been to several games including 4 finals. The colour, bands and weather all help. But IMO the top levels of the Rabo Pro12 are on a par with anything from France or England, this is usually borne out in head to heads in Europe.


  • Site Banned Posts: 5,346 ✭✭✭wixfjord


    Signing Servat would make sense, Bruno is probably retiring at the end of the season. I can't see Toulouse letting him go without a fight though.

    I'm not surprised they are looking for a second row, they are pretty light there in terms of quality in depth. Schofield and Chesney are average while it remains to be seen if Bakkies Botha can get back to his form a few seasons ago.

    I'm be shocked if they released Van Niekerk, unless his body is giving up. He's a top class backrower. Lobbe will be back come next season too after his RWC knee injury.

    I wish they'd stop signing average English players though. Armitage would fit in quickly because he speaks French but he's a liability. Nick Kennedy is nothing special either. For a team with serious cash they'd want to recruit better than that.

    Anytime I've seen Henjak play at 9 I've been really impressed. He's restricted at Toulon because he's a non EU player and only plays when the likes of Hayman are left out. He'll sign for a good club I'd say.

    Mason only came off the bench once for Toulon since he signed, the Toulon fans are calling him "the tourist". Rumour is he'll be back playing in the NRL next year.

    How is Steffan Armitage getting on over there? Jesus they would be really pillaging LIrish if they got Kennedy and Delon.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,803 ✭✭✭porterbelly


    wixfjord wrote: »
    How is Steffan Armitage getting on over there? Jesus they would be really pillaging LIrish if they got Kennedy and Delon.

    Playing very well for them. Seen him a few times and he's impressed, excellent at the breakdown. Once he's over the ball he's impossible to knock of it because of the way he's built and the low centre of gravity.

    Toulon are supposed to be keen on Chris Ashton as well although I'd say he'll end up at Saracens


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Playing very well for them. Seen him a few times and he's impressed, excellent at the breakdown. Once he's over the ball he's impossible to knock of it because of the way he's built and the low centre of gravity.

    Toulon are supposed to be keen on Chris Ashton as well although I'd say he'll end up at Saracens

    Armitage has been a great replacement for George Smith alright.

    On Ashton, Toulon are linked to nearly everyone so I wouldn't place much credence in it tbh.

    Contracts ending:

    Benjamin LAPEYRE JUIN 2014
    Christian LOAMANU JUIN 2013
    David SMITH JUIN 2013
    Jérémy SINZELLE JUIN 2013 (espoir)
    Samy BEN LETAÏEF
    Alexis PALISSON JUIN 2013
    Luke ROONEY JUIN 2013

    They've plenty of cover in the back three IMO.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,592 ✭✭✭GerM


    What's the story with Bayonne? They're in genuine danger of being relegated now. Bottom of the table, 10 games left, 2 teams relegated. They've spent some serious money and their players are on contracts that would run into next season. Phillips, Huget, Rocokoco, Tialata, Chisholm, Flavell, Lauaki, Boyet, Heymans...one hell of a squad to have in Pro Division 2. Toulon put 50 on them today. Something seriously rotten there.

    Will be interesting to see what happens with someone like Phillips. Surely there's a clause in his contract to have him released if they're relegated.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 146 ✭✭Lapsed Catholic


    Super display by Montpallier on Friday to hammer Stade Francais 38-6. Can't believe that they don't do better in HEC. Should have beaten Toulouse in last years final, Galthie is doing a great job.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    GerM wrote: »
    What's the story with Bayonne? They're in genuine danger of being relegated now. Bottom of the table, 10 games left, 2 teams relegated. They've spent some serious money and their players are on contracts that would run into next season. Phillips, Huget, Rocokoco, Tialata, Chisholm, Flavell, Lauaki, Boyet, Heymans...one hell of a squad to have in Pro Division 2. Toulon put 50 on them today. Something seriously rotten there.

    Will be interesting to see what happens with someone like Phillips. Surely there's a clause in his contract to have him released if they're relegated.

    Rokocoko has been labelled an awful signing by the media and supporters. I only really follow Toulon's season so I can't say if they're right or not.

    Bayonne appointed a new coach mid season and he only lasted 40 days, I think they are on their 3rd coaching ticket of the season now. Not exactly a stable environment. As you say given their squad on paper, you'd expect them to be challenging for a top 6 spot.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,217 Mod ✭✭✭✭CatFromHue


    I haven't followed Rokocoko's progress at all but some of his comments when he announced he would be leaving NZ were enough for me to hope he wouldn't arrive on Irish soil. Off the top of my head he was looking for a beach and a nice life style in his new club!


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 6,262 ✭✭✭iroced


    Well names (as good as they could be) don't make a team. Bayonne probably wanted to grow too fast. Their pre-season was quite a mess. A mess that actually started last winter with Laporte arrival. I think there was some internal frictions around the head of the club. Presidency changed from pressures from Afflelou, the main sponsor. Then they took big names and it looks like they forgot to build a constructive project. So they don't seem to know where they're heading...

    Now they have 2 home games in a row (SF & Clermont) and if they don't take something out of them I think it'll be game over for them


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 756 ✭✭✭4PP


    its rugby lads, but not as ye know it................Yeah I know, whats the story?? etc etc
    You just can't apply Irish logic to French rugby. Some rivers run deep.

    Honestly, I'm over here 20 years but I don't know where to start...........

    Affelou is just bad news, but the problems in the club predate him........

    I know there are many of you just screaming at the keyboard " well if its broke, lets fix it"

    French rugby does not work that way.

    Yeah, I hear ye, whats that ****e? doesn't work that way?? my arse etc etc

    Well thats the way it does work,
    Thomond 2006 has some expérience of méditerranéen rugby, Algerian, Tunisian, or Morroccan down Toulon way. But not of home grown french rugby.

    As of now the president of the league is threatning to feck off, leaving the league in the hands of a few fly by nights...........I'll stop there.

    Whinge about the IRFU all you want but at the least they put the national XV first


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 756 ✭✭✭4PP


    4PP wrote: »
    its rugby lads, but not as ye know it................Yeah I know, whats the story?? etc etc
    You just can't apply Irish logic to French rugby. Some rivers run deep.

    Honestly, I'm over here 20 years but I don't know where to start...........

    Affelou is just bad news, but the problems in the club predate him........

    I know there are many of you just screaming at the keyboard " well if its broke, lets fix it"

    French rugby does not work that way.

    Yeah, I hear ye, whats that ****e? doesn't work that way?? my arse etc etc

    Well thats the way it does work,
    Thomond 2006 has some expérience of méditerranéen rugby, Algerian, Tunisian, or Morroccan down Toulon way. But not of home grown french rugby.

    As of now the president of the league is threatning to feck off, leaving the league in the hands of a few fly by nights...........I'll stop there.

    Whinge about the IRFU all you want but at the least they put the national XV first


    seriously guys, I'm not taking the piss, the french vision of rugby is nowhere near the way Ireland looks on the game.

    trying to compare the inherent values within them is ridcoulous.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,308 ✭✭✭✭.ak


    Got my first taste for French rugby in Stade De France on saturday, Racing vs Toulouse.

    Got there early to see what the buzz about the stadium was like. Good vibes, but seemed empty. Turned out we ended up heading there a tad bit early, as about 10 minutes before KO the place was pretty packed.

    Actually amazing how much of a fanfare there was about the whole match. Seemed like it was a quarter final or something... 80% packed Stade De France, fireworks, smoke, prematch entertainment and all that jazz. They really like to use the hype machine.

    The Toulouse fan base were great, very loud! You'd swear it was in Toulouse, even though the Racing fans outnumbered them 4 to 1.

    Game itself was poor, but as most of the Toulouse internationals were away it was quite understandable. Racing were just poor, rife with unforced handling errors.

    Second half was interesting tho, as it almost went to the last minute.

    Interesting to see a game on the otherside of the water live though as opposed to on the box.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,881 ✭✭✭PhatPiggins


    Armitage has been a great replacement for George Smith alright.

    On Ashton, Toulon are linked to nearly everyone so I wouldn't place much credence in it tbh.

    Contracts ending:

    Benjamin LAPEYRE JUIN 2014
    Christian LOAMANU JUIN 2013
    David SMITH JUIN 2013
    Jérémy SINZELLE JUIN 2013 (espoir)
    Samy BEN LETAÏEF
    Alexis PALISSON JUIN 2013
    Luke ROONEY JUIN 2013

    They've plenty of cover in the back three IMO.

    Always surprised me that Armitage didn't get more of a run at 7 for England. They haven't been the same team since Neil Back retired.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 146 ✭✭Lapsed Catholic


    Went to Racing v Stade Francais last season. Unimpressed with Racing, very poor considering their talent. Chabal useless, a passenger, past his sell by date.

    Generally like games in France, the weather is usually better than here.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,881 ✭✭✭PhatPiggins


    Went to Racing v Stade Francais last season. Unimpressed with Racing, very poor considering their talent. Chabal useless, a passenger, past his sell by date.

    Generally like games in France, the weather is usually better than here.

    Two teams full of mercenaries, meh. South of France is where the real rugby is. Clermont, Montpellier, Perpignan............ atmosphere's that money just can't buy.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,262 ✭✭✭iroced


    4PP wrote: »
    its rugby lads, but not as ye know it................Yeah I know, whats the story?? etc etc
    You just can't apply Irish logic to French rugby. Some rivers run deep.

    Honestly, I'm over here 20 years but I don't know where to start...........

    Affelou is just bad news, but the problems in the club predate him........

    I know there are many of you just screaming at the keyboard " well if its broke, lets fix it"

    French rugby does not work that way.

    Yeah, I hear ye, whats that ****e? doesn't work that way?? my arse etc etc

    Well thats the way it does work,
    Thomond 2006 has some expérience of méditerranéen rugby, Algerian, Tunisian, or Morroccan down Toulon way. But not of home grown french rugby.

    As of now the president of the league is threatning to feck off, leaving the league in the hands of a few fly by nights...........I'll stop there.

    Whinge about the IRFU all you want but at the least they put the national XV first

    I'm French. I'm following rugby for ~20 years. I'm not sure I understand what you mean and what you're talking about :confused:.

    You can't take examples of bad management and/or huge investment in French rugby as a general rule.
    SF had their years of glory recently but they were unable to renew the early 00ies winning team and messed up with their coaches. Tehy slowly but surely went down. Racing & Toulon wanted to grow super fast. It almost worked. But now they both understood (well I think) that building a team around a mid-term project is the key to success. Bayonne failed for the same reasons in the end (even though they don't have the same financial power). Perpignan fcuked up because of internal dysfunctioning. The president is probably heavily responsible for their current situation. They really really badly managed their title 2 and half years ago.
    Clermont, Castres, Montpellier are good examples of the way to succeed. Give time to time. Build a good formation centre. Build a project around a certain consistent way of playing etc... Naturally Toulouse is the ultimate everlasting example.


    Of course, it's impossible to compare with Ireland. Your provincial system by definition demand a different functioning. In the end that helps the Irish players to play together in the country. With that system you built up 2 european giants (Leinster & Munster). Ulster seems to become more and more competitive too recently. It's also good for your national team.
    Imagine a provincial system in France. What about the SW French team ? (you'd have to mix up Clermont, Toulouse, Castres, Biarritz, Perpignan, Montpellier, Brives, Bayonne, Begles-Bordeaux, half the Pro D2 teams etc...). Basically, 1 or 2 players aside, it'll be the French team :p.

    I still don't quite understand what you mean by "Whinge about the IRFU all you want but at the least they put the national XV first". Do you mean it's not the case in France?


    Then, of course there are problems in French rugby. Especially at the top. The recent buzz made by Mourad Boudjelal stigmatises that. But he didn't use the right method. Rugby has evolved like no other sports in France in the last 15-20 years adapting itself to professionalism. Yes there are more and more money into it now. But to me it still has its values. Its respect. I feel sometimes people are idealising the way amateur rugby used to be. At least in France. I can tell you it was nowhere near perfect or ideal.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 27,266 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    Is the T14 two up two down still? Two from Biarritz, Bayonne, Perpignan, Lyon and Brive to go down then. The first three would be a big loss to French rugby right? Biarritz going down would be crazy.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,262 ✭✭✭iroced


    Podge_irl wrote: »
    Is the T14 two up two down still? Two from Biarritz, Bayonne, Perpignan, Lyon and Brive to go down then. The first three would be a big loss to French rugby right? Biarritz going down would be crazy.
    Yes it is. At the moment the 2 Basque clubs are at the bottom. Getting them 2 relegated would be a major upset in French Rugby. USAP is going very bad too at the moment. The worst thing is that they don't really seem to realise in which situation they are... They need to try and do something or they're heading down to Pro D2 for sure. What a waste it would be : 2 Top 14 final (including 1 title) and a H Cup 1/2f in the last 3 years...


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,489 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Rokocoko has been labelled an awful signing by the media and supporters. I only really follow Toulon's season so I can't say if they're right or not.

    Bayonne appointed a new coach mid season and he only lasted 40 days, I think they are on their 3rd coaching ticket of the season now. Not exactly a stable environment. As you say given their squad on paper, you'd expect them to be challenging for a top 6 spot.

    They're on their third chairman in two years as well I think, after Alain Afflelou left at the end of last year.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,262 ✭✭✭iroced


    They're on their third chairman in two years as well I think, after Alain Afflelou left at the end of last year.
    In the end, he didn't leave. That was a political/tactical pressure to get more control and power at the club. He is now president.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,489 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    iroced wrote: »
    In the end, he didn't leave. That was a political/tactical pressure to get more control and power at the club. He is now president.

    Ah, OK. Their third president in two years, then.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 146 ✭✭Lapsed Catholic


    here.[/QUOTE]

    Two teams full of mercenaries, meh. South of France is where the real rugby is. Clermont, Montpellier, Perpignan............ atmosphere's that money just can't buy.[/Quote]

    Clermont is not in the South of France, but you're right it is crammed full of local talent like Hines (3rd club in 4 seasons?) so no mercenaries. I am very familiar with rugby out side of Paris and have played against Perpignan. Both Racing & Stade contested the first 10-12 national finals and have as much history as any other club.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,262 ✭✭✭iroced


    Another victory for Montpellier tonight (4th in a row :D) after a quite ugly game. The "derby" with Perpignan. We were quickly ahead 2 tries to nil and started to be self-indulgent. As a result we put USAP back in the game and had a pretty bad second period. We couldn't grab the WBP which seemed gettable after 20 min... Hopefully this point won't be critical at the end of the season for a home QF...

    Toulouse secured a WBP victory in Biarritz. Second half was weird with some strange refereeing decisions (the ref changed his interpretation in the second half and started to over-penalise Toulouse which resulted in Biarritz not only getting the LBP but also being in contention for a victory until the very last play). In the end, despite defeat it's a precious point for the Basque. But the second half won't help Blanco's club reputation...

    Anyway even without the majority of their starting team, Toulouse is flying : they are 11 points ahead of Clermont and 20 ahead of Toulon, respectively 2nd & 3rd of the Top 14 (OK with a game in hand but still that's impressive and it's been quite some time since a team dominated the championship like that).

    Next week tonight's 2 "losers" will meet in Aimé Giral for a critical priceless USAP - BO. Damn the loser !


  • Advertisement
Advertisement