Top 14 21/22

[neill_m]

Cheslin Kolbe joining Toulon from Toulouse. Apparently €1.8MN paid to buy out his deal which ran to summer 2023. Being paid €1MN/season on the Mediterranean coast.

[Ruckedtobits]

Although the Top14 makes its latest ever start next weekend, the ProD2 commenced on Friday night and the first weekend saw Bayonne emerge as the first leaders with a 37 point haul which gave them 5 Tournament points. Some of the expected contenders lost their opening games including Grenoble, Vannes & Agen but the usual south-western clubs- Mont de Marson, Carcassonne sit alongside Colombiers & Oyanneux with 4 points from their first encounters.

For rugby fan visiting almost any part of France, Pro D2 rugby is hugely entertaining and fixtures rarely compete with the Pro14 games. All the grounds are extremely hospitable and the underlying competition is akin to the old AIL of the early and mid-1990's.

[JB1973]

I watched la Rochelle lose at home last night, bit of a boring game tbh

[Oldschoolsocks]

I watched la Rochelle lose at home last night, bit of a boring game tbh

My sympathies

[LeinsterLeader]

What the Fup!

https://twitter.com/AndyGoode10/status/ ... 7383247873

[neill_m]

What the Fup!

https://twitter.com/AndyGoode10/status/ ... 7383247873

You do that on the street, you are getting jail time, shocking.

[dropkick]

What the Fup!

https://twitter.com/AndyGoode10/status/ ... 7383247873

You do that on the street, you are getting jail time, shocking.

Even the home crowd thought it was a red. That's a first!

[Oldschoolsocks]

That was a right Sam Cane special

[Ruckedtobits]

For students of the future of Irish coaching there is a fascinating head-to-head this afternoon in the Top 14. Rog takes his 10th placed La Rochelle to face Jeremy Davidson's 5th placed Brive and although only separated by four League points, this is a game which could set the pattern for both Clubs, for the remainder of the Season.

Brive are three from three at home whilst La Rochelle have only picked up a single point on the road from a defensive bonus. If fact Brive have only dropped one point from the maximum of 15 in their Municipal Stadium. M. Poite is the appointed referee which is a clear indication of how important the LNR consider this game for both teams.

Stuart Olding continues at No. 12 for Brive, who have a Squad with few stars welded together by Davidson into a very comprehensive unit. They play tough effective but uncompromising rugby and some have compared them to Castres in their style. LAR welcome back Skelton and he re-joins a cast very familiar to Leinster fans, although they're still missing centre Botia & West from their starting line-up. Up front however, they have all the heavies in harness and Gourdon, Liebenberg, SKELTON, Antonio, Bourgarit & Priso should be too much for the tough Brivistes.

Both Davidson & O'Gara are well aware that alongside Mark McCall they represent the top tier of Ireland's international coaching brigade. This will be a big contest in both their minds and if Brive have the advantage of the home venue, Rog arrives with a pack of forwards that even his old Munster pack would have respected.

A win for Davidson would be a big feather in the cap for the Ulsterman and its a big possibility the way his team has been performing.

[Ruckedtobits]

The game of more intimate interest to Leinster fans this weekend is Montpellier v Clermont. Leinster French opponents in the European Cup 9 pm Friday slot in mid-December will be Montpellier. And although Leinster are familiar with the Herault venue and the likely climatic difficulties, this year's timing and Pool format mean that Montpellier could be a dangerous place for any team looking for points on the road.

With only this and next weekend before teams will lose players to international duty for more than a month, clues as to the make-up of December opponents will be most visible during the next 8 days.

As is so often the case, Montpellier has built their castle at home with two wins from three thus far although neither victory brought a bonus point. No wins in four on the road although they have grabbed a draw and two defensive bonuses.

The biggest speculation about Montpellier is whether they have taken a huge risk in signing and playing the young Italian Garbisi at No 10. This weekend's contest, when he goes face-to-face against Lopez who will have the assistance of a back-row including Iturria and Yato, will be a good benchmark of his progress before he departs for the 5 week sojourn with the Italian Squad.

Clermont & Gibbes need a win, and their first points on the road would be exactly what they would like this weekend. They have enough quality in their backline to score against MontP, but their defence needs to improve AND stop conceding stupid penalties to give the pianists the chance to play.

[neill_m]

The game of more intimate interest to Leinster fans this weekend is Montpellier v Clermont. Leinster French opponents in the European Cup 9 pm Friday slot in mid-December will be Montpellier. And although Leinster are familiar with the Herault venue and the likely climatic difficulties, this year's timing and Pool format mean that Montpellier could be a dangerous place for any team looking for points on the road.

With only this and next weekend before teams will lose players to international duty for more than a month, clues as to the make-up of December opponents will be most visible during the next 8 days.

As is so often the case, Montpellier has built their castle at home with two wins from three thus far although neither victory brought a bonus point. No wins in four on the road although they have grabbed a draw and two defensive bonuses.

The biggest speculation about Montpellier is whether they have taken a huge risk in signing and playing the young Italian Garbisi at No 10. This weekend's contest, when he goes face-to-face against Lopez who will have the assistance of a back-row including Iturria and Yato, will be a good benchmark of his progress before he departs for the 5 week sojourn with the Italian Squad.

Clermont & Gibbes need a win, and their first points on the road would be exactly what they would like this weekend. They have enough quality in their backline to score against MontP, but their defence needs to improve AND stop conceding stupid penalties to give the pianists the chance to play.

On Freesports at 4pm Irish Time.

[Ruckedtobits]

The game of more intimate interest to Leinster fans this weekend is Montpellier v Clermont. Leinster French opponents in the European Cup 9 pm Friday slot in mid-December will be Montpellier. And although Leinster are familiar with the Herault venue and the likely climatic difficulties, this year's timing and Pool format mean that Montpellier could be a dangerous place for any team looking for points on the road.

With only this and next weekend before teams will lose players to international duty for more than a month, clues as to the make-up of December opponents will be most visible during the next 8 days.

As is so often the case, Montpellier has built their castle at home with two wins from three thus far although neither victory brought a bonus point. No wins in four on the road although they have grabbed a draw and two defensive bonuses.

The biggest speculation about Montpellier is whether they have taken a huge risk in signing and playing the young Italian Garbisi at No 10. This weekend's contest, when he goes face-to-face against Lopez who will have the assistance of a back-row including Iturria and Yato, will be a good benchmark of his progress before he departs for the 5 week sojourn with the Italian Squad.

Clermont & Gibbes need a win, and their first points on the road would be exactly what they would like this weekend. They have enough quality in their backline to score against MontP, but their defence needs to improve AND stop conceding stupid penalties to give the pianists the chance to play.

On Freesports at 4pm Irish Time.

Lopez kicked 5 penalties as Clermont came from behind to claim a 20-22 win in Montpellier. Once again The home side conceded defensive penalties which cost them victory. They also looked like their fitness in the final quarter caught them out.

[Ruckedtobits]

For students of the future of Irish coaching there is a fascinating head-to-head this afternoon in the Top 14. Rog takes his 10th placed La Rochelle to face Jeremy Davidson's 5th placed Brive and although only separated by four League points, this is a game which could set the pattern for both Clubs, for the remainder of the Season.

Brive are three from three at home whilst La Rochelle have only picked up a single point on the road from a defensive bonus. If fact Brive have only dropped one point from the maximum of 15 in their Municipal Stadium. M. Poite is the appointed referee which is a clear indication of how important the LNR consider this game for both teams.

Stuart Olding continues at No. 12 for Brive, who have a Squad with few stars welded together by Davidson into a very comprehensive unit. They play tough effective but uncompromising rugby and some have compared them to Castres in their style. LAR welcome back Skelton and he re-joins a cast very familiar to Leinster fans, although they're still missing centre Botia & West from their starting line-up. Up front however, they have all the heavies in harness and Gourdon, Liebenberg, SKELTON, Antonio, Bourgarit & Priso should be too much for the tough Brivistes.

Both Davidson & O'Gara are well aware that alongside Mark McCall they represent the top tier of Ireland's international coaching brigade. This will be a big contest in both their minds and if Brive have the advantage of the home venue, Rog arrives with a pack of forwards that even his old Munster pack would have respected.

A win for Davidson would be a big feather in the cap for the Ulsterman and its a big possibility the way his team has been performing.

M. Poite was the winner here with four yellow cards in a niggly 6-8 win for the visitors. French analysts consider that La Rochelle were fortunate to get the win as the very hyper Brive team missed a number of opportunities in the second half. No winner in the coaching contest.

[JohnB]

La Rochelle are now 5th on 20 points and Brive are 9th on 18 points. I saw La Rochelle muller Toulon last night by 38-6. Toulon are a pale shadow of the team they once were. Their players seem to specialise in giving away very dumb penalties.

[neill_m]

Montpellier won in the Disco Arena on Saturday 32-21. Sitting 6th, 3 wins and 1 draw from 8 games. Montpellier v Lyon at 4pm on Saturday on Premier Sports 2.

[Ruckedtobits]

Montpellier won in the Disco Arena on Saturday 32-21. Sitting 6th, 3 wins and 1 draw from 8 games. Montpellier v Lyon at 4pm on Saturday on Premier Sports 2.

Montpellier are the danger team for us, particularly as we visit them first. It's a strong warning that their home form is so good, particularly with a pack ideally built for midwinter rugby.

[Ruckedtobits]

James Coughlan's appointment as interim Head Coach at Toulon is obviously a reflection of the impression he has created there as Defence Coach. However it is further evidence of the increased stature of Irish rugby Coaches internationally and something we should reflect on carefully.

For decades many in Irish rugby have assumed that 'outsiders are best', particularly if they were from NZ, or more recently, South Africans!

Generally, its now time to recognise just how many excellent Irish coaches are around at present.

Good luck James.

[JohnB]

Not surprised that Toulon sacked their coach as they were an utter shambles at the weekend. However, some of the on field stupidities perpetuated by the players during the game that had nothing to do with coaching but a lot to do with temperment must have made the outgoing coach want to cry.

[the spoofer]

Finn Russell stank the place up as Bordeaux mullered Racing at home. He is a luxury that a serious team can't afford.

[Oldschool]

James Coughlan's appointment as interim Head Coach at Toulon is obviously a reflection of the impression he has created there as Defence Coach. However it is further evidence of the increased stature of Irish rugby Coaches internationally and something we should reflect on carefully.

For decades many in Irish rugby have assumed that 'outsiders are best', particularly if they were from NZ, or more recently, South Africans!

Generally, its now time to recognise just how many excellent Irish coaches are around at present.

Good luck James.

You are neglecting the elephant in the room.
The provincial selectoral bias and the fact that certain groups actively tried to abuse the local access that they had.
This can still be seen in a very active and related way in the disposition of some central contracts.