Le Taupe XIV et la mégalomanie d'un secretaire d'état ripoux

[Torquemada 1420]

In which case I hope he does well enough to find himself a spot elsewhere in the top 14

Pau is not a great club for development anyway. He's welcome at Brive

Joseph disagrees with your view.

Badly worded. I meant developing their own youth. I hope you are right about Joseph because although he has played well the last few months, looked to me like he was stalling.

[laurent]

Pau is not a great club for development anyway. He's welcome at Brive

Joseph disagrees with your view.

Badly worded. I meant developing their own youth. I hope you are right about Joseph because although he has played well the last few months, looked to me like he was stalling.

Better than going backwards at Racing...

[Torquemada 1420]

Joseph disagrees with your view.

Badly worded. I meant developing their own youth. I hope you are right about Joseph because although he has played well the last few months, looked to me like he was stalling.

Better than going backwards at Racing...

Thing is, no reason for that to be happening now. Racing have been bringing on many good youngsters like Gibert and Le Garrec.

I wonder if Joseph is going to be an U20 flash in the pan down to his physical size at that age group: a bit like Basteraud was.

[laurent]

Bastareaud has more titles than the U 20 suspensions ...

[laurent]

that serie was nice

[TheFrog]

For all my dislike of Laporte, truth be told, he and his staff have managed to get the Ligue behind the French team and this is paying dividends.

I hope the clubs get duly rewarded with gate income and that they feel motivated to maintain that support going forward so that France can remain a force in rugby.

But the outcome is the team we are looking at today, which is a team that impresses me by its cohesion and calm, even in the face of adversity. And for all our Dupont reliance, I believe we have a structure that allows us to survive the loss of key players without having too deep a dip in performance (clue the Nations Cup or the tour to Australia).

If I am not mistaken, France has only lost one game by more than 4 points since Galthie took over, and that was following Haouas red card in Scotland.

The team shows they are growing in maturity and this bodies well for next years, though I would not call them world cup favorite because I think 4 teams are in a good spot to win it, which are South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland and France.

[TheFrog]

I recommend listening to Gregory Aldritt interview on the French Rugby podcast. Nice insight into the working of this group.

[Marylandolorian]

that serie was nice

Super , the end
I’ve been watching all their pregames and their practices during this 6N, never seen a Fr team as united as this one.

This below might explain why Penaud was pushed in the bubble bath.

https://actu.fr/sports/rugby/pro/en-ima ... 59862.html

[laurent]

https://video.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/j-ai-e ... ideo.shtml

One of the greatest flankers ever

[Torquemada 1420]

Great to see Le Garrec back and looking sharp.

[laurent]

Quick very important update
My club got promotted and we are playing regional play offs


and

[Torquemada 1420]

Quick very important update
My club got promotted and we are playing regional play offs


and

Rich kids

[laurent]

Quick very important update
My club got promotted and we are playing regional play offs


and

Rich kids

I think we have one of the smallest budget in IDF :(

[laurent]

And we are in the semi finals

[TheFrog]

And we are in the semi finals

It says "quart de finale"?

[laurent]

That's the quarter finals results.

[Torquemada 1420]

That's the quarter finals results.

[Biffer]

Montpellier and Bordeaux knocking lumps off each other tonight.

[Torquemada 1420]

Montpellier and Bordeaux knocking lumps off each other tonight.

JKM would have loved that game. A classic example of Fre reffing chaos at the breakdown so anything went. Someone is going to get killed if this is allowed to continue.

[Torquemada 1420]

Haouas sent off again. Too much of a liability to be let anywhere near the national team.... even if he were any good.

[Torquemada 1420]

Another T14 ref ignoring every breakdown infringement. Only 4 mins into ST v LaR and there have been 1/2 a dozen neck rolls. Keep this up and a broken neck beckoning before the time is up

[Torquemada 1420]

Dulin

[TheFrog]

That's the quarter finals results.

I need glasses!

[TheFrog]

Didn't realize Barlot is an Auvergnat, played for Clermont youth sides.... another good player Clermont has let go (I think of Kevin Gourdon for example).

Kockott speaks perfect French. Amazing.

[Torquemada 1420]

Luc has had a shocker at FB here and cost his side 2 tries and probably the game. Another candidate for FB shows no composure in the games that matter.

Sadly, after a poor showing in the Mickey Mouse Euro final, Ollivon has had a weak game tonight too.

[Torquemada 1420]

Extraordinary end at Gerland as Lyon manage to botch 3 tries in the last 2 minutes by knocking the ball on each time.

[La soule]

Jalibert was below part. I hope he never gets selected for France ever again.

[Torquemada 1420]

Jalibert was below part. I hope he never gets selected for France ever again.

He won't. Ntamack has the slot in perpetuity. The new Doussain.

[TheFrog]

[TheFrog]

Toulouse - La Rochelle are a hell of a clash. I think at some point La Rochelle will tire and I am afraid I don't see then winning the Top 14. I just hope it will not be to hand over the title to Montpellier or Castres.

[Torquemada 1420]

Toulouse - La Rochelle are a hell of a clash. I think at some point La Rochelle will tire and I am afraid I don't see then winning the Top 14. I just hope it will not be to hand over the title to Montpellier or Castres.

I was surprised to see them field a full strength side on Sunday on what was a long shot: no-one would have bet on UBB going down at USAP even given the context for the home side.

Top 2 are both ugly rugby in their own ways but at least CO has an excuse.

[TheFrog]

Toulouse - La Rochelle are a hell of a clash. I think at some point La Rochelle will tire and I am afraid I don't see then winning the Top 14. I just hope it will not be to hand over the title to Montpellier or Castres.

I was surprised to see them field a full strength side on Sunday on what was a long shot: no-one would have bet on UBB going down at USAP even given the context for the home side.

Top 2 are both ugly rugby in their own ways but at least CO has an excuse.

I give you right on your comments about CO. But I still don't like them.

[La soule]

CO are one hell of a team. They give their all for each other and have finished top of the regular season. Respect for that. They have no real weakness, do not panic when under pressure. They execute their game plan well and score tries.

ST v LAR should be a cracking game with the winer playing CO in the semi. I'll go with ST in a close but entertaining game.

In the other 1/4 final, Bègles will have home advantage and I reckon Urios has been kicking ass all week. Racing have a few injuries and I think they will make way to Bègles to play Montpellier in the other semi.

[Torquemada 1420]

CO are one hell of a team. They give their all for each other and have finished top of the regular season. Respect for that. They have no real weakness, do not panic when under pressure. They execute their game plan well and score tries.

ST v LAR should be a cracking game with the winer playing CO in the semi. I'll go with ST in a close but entertaining game.

In the other 1/4 final, Bègles will have home advantage and I reckon Urios has been kicking ass all week. Racing have a few injuries and I think they will make way to Bègles to play Montpellier in the other semi.

100% this. They absolutely maximise their resources. They play ugly rugby at times because they have to.

ST are LaR's bogey team.

[La soule]

Le XV toulousain : 15. Ramos ; 14. Mallia, 13. Fouyssac, 12. Ahki, 11. Lebel ; 10. Ntamack, 9. Dupont (cap.) ; 7. Elstadt, 8. Jelonch, 6. Cros ; 5. Ri. Arnold, 4. Ro. Arnold ; 3 Aldegheri, 2. Mauvaka, 1. Baille.

Remplaçants : 16. Marchand, 17. Ainu’u, 18. Meafou, 19. Flament, 20. Tolofua, 21. Germain, 22. Épée, 23. Mallez


Le XV rochelais : 15. Dulin ; 14. Leyds, 13. Sinzelle, 12. Botia, 11. Rhule ; 10. West, 9. Berjon ; 7. Haddad, 8. Alldritt (cap.), 6. Liebenberg ; 5. Skelton, 4. Lavault ; 3. Atonio, 2. Bourgarit, 1. Priso.

Remplaçants : 16. Bosch, 17. Wardi, 18. Sazy, 19. Bourdeau, 20. Retière, 21. Favre, 22. Danty, 23. Sclavi.

Big teams and let's hope for a great game.

Toulouse by 4.

[TheFrog]

I feel sorry to see La Rochelle and Toulouse knocking each other out at this stage while teams that never take the Champions Cup seriously are waiting patiently to finish off the survivor.

[Torquemada 1420]

I feel sorry to see La Rochelle and Toulouse knocking each other out at this stage while teams that never take the Champions Cup seriously are waiting patiently to finish off the survivor.

Pfffft. You pays your money and takes your choice.

[Torquemada 1420]

This is a great game for Ntamack. He plays opposite a FH who is worse than he is.

10 mins so far and West has
- missed a pen straight in front
- kicked direct to touch
- been turned inside out by Dupont for a try

[Torquemada 1420]

Ntamack "drop goal" gets less height than the Spruce Goose.

[sockwithaticket]

La Rochelle not looking like a team who just won the European Cup, Toulouse well on top.