French rugby Updates : Le café du Rugby.

vienne86

Speaking of Bordeaux, I would LOVE them to knock the socks of Gloucester today. Would love to see them in Europe next season.

sydneybound

I'm looking forward to that game alright. Apparently Bordeaux are taking it very seriously (unlike their challenge cup attempts) and bringing an extended squad and entire backroom staff over to make it a memorable occasion. The chance of a few Champions Cup games in the brand new football stadium (42,000 seater) is their real carrot here. They'll move some home games to that stadium next year (Toulouse for certain and maybe Toulon).

Now I have to decide a round of golf or watch this game in the afternoon, hope wet weather makes the decision for me.

vienne86

sydneybound wrote: »

I'm looking forward to that game alright. Apparently Bordeaux are taking it very seriously (unlike their challenge cup attempts) and bringing an extended squad and entire backroom staff over to make it a memorable occasion. The chance of a few Champions Cup games in the brand new football stadium (42,000 seater) is their real carrot here. They'll move some home games to that stadium next year (Toulouse for certain and maybe Toulon).

Now I have to decide a round of golf or watch this game in the afternoon, hope wet weather makes the decision for me.

Chance to make amends for last week's loss of 6th spot. Hopefully with the French coaching ticket now sorted, they can get back to their winning ways. Also we owe it to Connacht to hope Gloucester get knocked out.

thomond2006

Confirmed: Guy Noves will take over as France coach after RWC.

shrapnel222

iroced wrote: »

Knew about Pélissié. Didn't about Tulou.


As I keep repeating it's not all about money. Racing are failing to achieve what Toulon are doing. Is it just a matter of time (Toulon also had their disappointing years at the start of the Boudjelal era) or are they doing things wrong? Time will tell. But I certainly don't think they're doing things the best way. And to start with, I'm not sure getting the Castres duet as coaches was a good idea. Sexton was a pointless experience from a Racing point of view in the end. The club didn't really progress.


---

By the way, don't know if it's been said but Guy Novès is the new France head manager => http://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/Noves-prochain-manager-du-xv-de-france/562600

Hopefully he makes Les Bleus look like and as successful as the 1994-2012 Toulouse :P.

thomond2006 wrote: »

Confirmed: Guy Noves will take over as France coach after RWC.

old news dude. do you even read this thread? :D

thomond2006

shrapnel222 wrote: »

old news dude. do you even read this thread? :D

It was confirmed this morning though by FFR.

vienne86

thomond2006 wrote: »

It was confirmed this morning though by FFR.

Given France's obvious reluctance to have a non-French coach, I think Noves is their best bet. He should have the respect of the players anyway.

pickarooney

Aix en Provence promoted to Pro D2 after a one point aggregate win over Chambery.

sydneybound

pickarooney wrote: »

Aix en Provence promoted to Pro D2 after a one point aggregate win over Chambery.

A bit like Bristol V Worcester! I see Aix en Provence are beside Marseille, would like a few more nothern france clubs in ProD2.

pickarooney

sydneybound wrote: »

A bit like Bristol V Worcester! I see Aix en Provence are beside Marseille, would like a few more nothern france clubs in ProD2.

Lille take a 14 point lead into their semi tonight against Nevers so your wish could soon come true!

sydneybound

Lille would be fantastic for North France rugby expansion. From what I can gather they play in a 18,000 capacity stadium and have some wealth backers but what French club doesn't.

shrapnel222

Fantastic win by Bordeaux there. Talk about digging deep. Awesome finish and delighted they'll play in Europe next year

thomond2006

I'd love a trip to Bordeaux next season!

vienne86

shrapnel222 wrote: »

Fantastic win by Bordeaux there. Talk about digging deep. Awesome finish and delighted they'll play in Europe next year

Excellent!!!!! Thoroughly recommend Bordeaux as a place worth going to for an away match! I'm delighted for them as the second half of their season was shaky - they play great rugby. Also, delighted Gloucester were put away after the travesty of their win against Connacht last weekend.

Swiwi.

shrapnel222 wrote: »

Fantastic win by Bordeaux there. Talk about digging deep. Awesome finish and delighted they'll play in Europe next year

They've made some good signings too IIRC? AAC and Luke Braid spring to mind.

pickarooney

Lille also up to Pro D2, with a 2-point aggregate win over Nevers.

Incidentally today was the first time I noticed the use of white cards in a match. It's a ten minute sin-bin but not cumulative. What competitions are these used in? (these are not the same as the ones for unidentified culprits that super rugby has/had)

sydthebeat

Well then straight away. Ibanez to Leinster !!!!

thomond2006

Midi saying Racing Metro 92 will be known as Racing 92 next season. This is because their 14 year deal with the Paris Metro (RATP) has ended. I had no idea the 'Metro' name was there because of sponsorship.

vienne86

thomond2006 wrote: »

Midi saying Racing Metro 92 will be known as Racing 92 next season. This is because their 14 year deal with the Paris Metro (RATP) has ended. I had no idea the 'Metro' name was there because of sponsorship.

Me neither. Strange sponsor....I wouldn't have thought sponsoring a rugby team would be any boost to the business!

total former

vienne86 wrote: »

Me neither. Strange sponsor....I wouldn't have thought sponsoring a rugby team would be any boost to the business!

They used to be the sports club for the metro employees back in the day

CatFromHue

I look forward to the Leinster DARTs and the Munster Euro Bus titles from now on!

Swiwi.

Swiwi. wrote: »

They've made some good signings too IIRC? AAC and Luke Braid spring to mind.

Oh and I see Bruce is back. Reihana to help coach.

total former

Renowned advocate of fair play Jamie Cudmore is stirring the pot ahead of the semi-final...

@JNCudmore wrote:

Run of play is one thing but intentionally stepping on someone's face is another level ! What a coward.

thomond2006

total former wrote: »

Renowned advocate of fair play Jamie Cudmore is stirring the pot ahead of the semi-final...

What a legend though.

sydneybound

Euan Murray joins Pau on a 2 year deal. He'll be on good bucks there. Pau will certainly be an interesting team to watch next year.

sydneybound

David Smith signs a four year deal with Castres. He did week to get four years..

Massive shame this born and bred Samoan never played for his country, a great pity for the international game.

seanm187

sydneybound wrote: »

David Smith signs a four year deal with Castres. He did well to get four years...

I wonder did he add a relegation get-out clause to his contract. The way that Castres are being stripped of players, I wouldnt be surprised to see them go down in the next year or two. They were already lucky this year not to go down..

Flashdean

Is the toulon Stade game not on tv tonight????

the perfect ten

Yes, it is on TV5Monde. It kicks off at 19.45 Irish time.

total former

And Sky Sports red button

vienne86

the perfect ten wrote: »

Yes, it is on TV5Monde. It kicks off at 19.45 Irish time.

And it's on SS2 red button.

Flashdean

Ahh i see good stuff!!!

P_1

Ou et le match?

vienne86

P_1 wrote: »

Ou et le match?

Disparu!

Non. KO 20.00 according to Ultimate Rugby.

P_1

vienne86 wrote: »

Disparu!

Non. KO 20.00 according to Ultimate Rugby.

Grand job, are TV5 Monde showing this?

vienne86

P_1 wrote: »

Grand job, are TV5 Monde showing this?

Yep - lovely looking night in Bordeaux.

Swan Curry

You couldn't do much more than that to waste an opportunity

vienne86

Stade started with a great turnover but a string of handling errrors follow - can't do that against Toulon.

C'mon Stade!

Buer

Almost the typical Toulon start, getting the early kick on board. LH's radar appears a little off. Not an easy kick but pretty straight in front.

vienne86

Ah Mitchell runs in a try......well worked - made it look easy.

Oh dear.

aimee1

lovely chip, shades of tommy bowe in cardiff from mitchell

Buer

And there's the early try. Bit of a handy bounce but Mitchell pounces with some good predatory work. Was it Hernandez with the chip? Deft.

Buer

And that's the difference a bouncing ball makes. One team got it, the other didn't.

STB having a shocking start.

vienne86

Ah amother great opportunity screwed up. Stade just HAVE to take those opportunities.

Buer

Only noticed the tribute from Masoe...nice touch.

vienne86

Nice kick for Steyn - 10-6 now.

Buer

Forward pass?

Buer

Christ almighty that inside pass. Delicious.

Swan Curry

That's a close one, could go either way

aimee1

great score