French rugby Updates : Le café du Rugby.

Tigerandahalf

They had 2 penalty kicks to win it and in fairness the 2nd one should have been kicked.

Antonio playing in the 2nd row. Don't think I've ever seen a prop there.

Buer

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

They had 2 penalty kicks to win it and in fairness the 2nd one should have been kicked.

It was the halfway line and bit to the side. A very difficult kick. He had to give it a serious hoof to get the distance and that probably cost him in the accuracy stakes. I'd consider it a shot to nothing.

vienne86

Buer wrote: »

It was the halfway line and bit to the side. A very difficult kick. He had to give it a serious hoof to get the distance and that probably cost him in the accuracy stakes. I'd consider it a shot to nothing.

Both of those penalties were monster kicks. Damn Toulon anyway - it was like a home game for them, being in 'neutral' Marseille.

FACECUTTR

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

They had 2 penalty kicks to win it and in fairness the 2nd one should have been kicked.

Antonio playing in the 2nd row. Don't think I've ever seen a prop there.

He has played there a few times lately.

nc6000

Who is due to take over as coach of Toulon next season? I know Cockeril is due to move to Edinburgh but I wonder will this still happen.

pickarooney

Much better second semi final. Seven tries as Clermont ran out 37-31 winners, though it was wired up long before the two late consolation scores for Racing.

The final will inevitably be a dour event with Toulon scraping a win.

nc6000

pickarooney wrote: »

The final will inevitably be a dour event with Toulon scraping a win.

Not sure I could take Clermont losing another final. :eek:

pickarooney

Chris Masoe finished his career off with a yellow card that should have been a red, two tries and a conversion.

Buer

pickarooney wrote: »

Chris Masoe finished his career off with a yellow card that should have been a red, two tries and a conversion.

Knowing Masoe it was probably just a bit of handbags.

pickarooney

Anyone up for the curtain-lowerer of the European season? Another heroic failure for the Jaunards in the offing or will Toulon's one dimension prove too few?

Buer

pickarooney wrote:

Anyone up for the curtain-lowerer of the European season? Another heroic failure for the Jaunards in the offing or will Toulon's one dimension prove too few?

Can't see Clermont losing. Toulon are in decline. Their goal kicker is in NZ.

Lopez is not Brock James. They have the goods to win this. I'd say Clermont by 8.

errlloyd

Fair play to whoever just took a knee to shake Macrons hand. Respectful

ScrubsfanChris

Not just shaking hands but having a word with every player too. Nice touch

pickarooney

Really weird the way your man shakes all their forearms.

Elvisjuice

asking for their ma's numbers

pickarooney

Toulon will have to weather 20 minutes of this I reckon. Is it just me or were there three forward passes in that Clermont attack'?

mark_jmc

Great start to the game

ScrubsfanChris

Was 1/2penny alowed by Toulon to go to NZ or was it in his contract that he can go no questions asked?

pickarooney

Sexy try!

mark_jmc

Some pace

Buer

Allez les jaunards! What a passage of play. The intensity and physicality in Clermont's 22 from both sides was as high as any test match.

Fantastic counter attack. 10 minutes gone but a long way back for the old legs in the Toulon side already.

ScrubsfanChris

Take a breath......

More action and excitement in that first 10 minutes then a certain game yesterday morning.

pickarooney

I didn't think Clerc would make it onto a rugby pitch again.

pickarooney

Pure ignorance from commentators acting shocked when Bastareaud shows any skill.

Buer

Has there ever been a move which has lifted the profile and esteem in which a player is held as Abendanon to Clermont?

He started 1 game for England ever which was a RWC warm up in 2007 when he was 20. Got one other cap off the bench. He has been arguably the most consistent and exciting back three player in Europe over the past 3 years since moving.

thomond2006

Abendanon's form also remained consistent despite rotating between wing and fullback after Spedding's arrival.

pickarooney

Buer wrote: »

Has there ever been a move which has lifted the profile and esteem in which a player is held as Abendanon to Clermont?

He started 1 game for England ever which was a RWC warm up in 2007 when he was 20. Got one other cap off the bench. He has been arguably the most consistent and exciting back three player in Europe over the past 3 years since moving.

Gopperth to Wasps is working out OK.

Buer

Next score for Clermont and I think that's game over. For all the talk against Leinster of Clermont not being able to keep pace in the second half, Toulon are older again and won't be able to chase a game. They need to be close enough to chip away with penalties. Anything more than 12 points at half time and I think it's Clermont's title.

Buer

pickarooney wrote: »

Gopperth to Wasps is working out OK.

Good shout. Has to be up there in terms of successful signings for a guy who wasn't a name at test level. Always seemed like a great bloke too.

Buer

Call me cynical but I think JOC play acted on that. Definite yellow but I don't think he was lights out at all despite appearing to be initially.

Buer

Needed that for the game. Time to see if Clermont can stand up now.

Don't know how Poite looked at 2 Toulon lads run straight beyond the ruck, take guys out and give penalty advantage to Toulon.

Elvisjuice

Buer wrote: »

Call me cynical but I think JOC play acted on that. Definite yellow but I don't think he was lights out at all despite appearing to be initially.

milked it alright

ScrubsfanChris

Elvisjuice wrote: »

milked it alright

Is it worth it though? To have an HIA check on your record, even if he passed it?
To fake a concussion now a days just seems idiotic.

Buer

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Is it worth it though? To have an HIA check on your record, even if he passed it?
To fake a concussion now a days just seems idiotic.

It was a reflex, I think. Got tackled high, threw himself down to highlight the tackle. As soon as the medics arrived, he tried to show how lucid he was and prove he was fine.

Buer

Nonu having a belter. That's a match defining moment though by spilling at the ruck. Looking at potential 7 points and then find themselves back on their own 22 defending.

Elvisjuice

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Is it worth it though? To have an HIA check on your record, even if he passed it?
To fake a concussion now a days just seems idiotic.

he isn't the brightest lad now is he.

Buer

Belter of a final.

Don't understand Clermont's defensive strategy. You cannot allow that Toulon midfield space to get up a head of steam. They're very passive and hesitant in their actions. I think if they came up that bit harder and quicker, they'd get some joy killing the attack behind the gain line.

ongarite

Unforgivable from Toulon there.

Buer

Let off for Clermont.

They really need to stop being so passive and yielding the gain line. Toulon are taking heart from Clermont's nerves.

Buer

ongarite wrote: »

Unforgivable from Toulon there.

The missed kick? Wasn't a particularly tough one but wasn't a gimme either.

ongarite

Same again, even easier.

errlloyd

What a tackle.

thomond2006

FTD and Giteau on to steady the ship.

thomond2006

A beaut of a kick from Parra. Strettle almost gathers.

pickarooney

Toulon trying to bore Clermont to sleep now

ongarite

Great turn over from Fritz Lee

razorblunt

Fritz Lee is a quality player, has been for some time now.


Vermeulen is handling the ol' francais pretty well too.

pickarooney

ongarite wrote: »

Great turn over from Fritz Lee

But of a gimme for him.

ongarite

He can't miss this one, can he?

and he doesn't, back to 3

ongarite

Para, that was pretty great, and the penalty could win the match