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Latest News
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19 March 2010
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Comeback king:
Tana Umaga
Photo: Michael Paler |
All
Blacks legend Tana Umaga is set for a sensational playing
return with Toulon after signing as a 'medical joker' until
the end of the season.
The
36-year-old former New Zealand captain has agreed to strap
on his boots once more after Toulon winger Christian Loamanu
dislocated a hip setting up a try in the club's recent
league win over Castres.
Umaga's
playing return has echoes of last season when (as then head
coach) he decided the best way to oversee Toulon's fight
against relegation was to take to the field again.
Top 14 Table
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Top 14 leading scorers
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Top 14 Results
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Top 14
Fixtures
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Top 14
Transfers
His
on-field presence for the last nine games proved decisive as
the Cote d'Azur club successfully staved off the drop, with
Umaga scoring a try and earning wide-scale plaudits for his
level of play.
Read More... |
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19 March 2010
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What's going on?
Stade Francais turmoil
Photo: Michael Paler |
Stade
Francais will announce their third head coach within a
year following confirmation that Jacques Delmas will
not have his contract renewed in the summer.
Delmas
was brought in after Australian Ewen McKenzie was sacked in
September, but with Stade currently languishing in eighth
position - and likely to miss the end-of-season play-offs -
owner Max Guazzini has run out of patience.
The
Paris giants are due to announce a new 'sporting director'
today (Friday), with former head coach Fabien Galthié
expected to take the role.
"It's
hard but it's part of the job," Delmas told French newspaper
Sud-Ouest.
Read More...
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By Joe El Abd, 18 March 2010
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'Huge
inspiration':
Tana Umaga
Photo: Michael Paler |
Toulon flanker and FRC columnist Joe El Abd
this week talks about the incredible atmosphere of the Stade
Félix Mayol, Christian Loamanu's horrific injury and the
prospect of Tana Umaga returning to the playing field in the
closing stages of the season.
I
mentioned
in my last blog how Toulon
are never too far from the headlines with regards to all the
incoming transfers for next season. Well, over the past
couple of weeks Toulon have hit the headlines again, but
this time for a number of different reasons.
Top 14 Transfers 2010/11
Firstly,
last Friday night saw the team
beat table- topping Castres 19-6 at
the Stade Félix Mayol. The atmosphere on the
night was even more electrifying than normal and the win
puts us in a strong position to achieve an all-important top
six finish and a place in the end of season play-offs.
Read More... |
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18 March 2010
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Trying times: Stade Francais
have had a traumatic season
Photo: Michael Paler |
Reports
in the French press claim Stade Francais owner Max Guazzini
has run out of patience with head coach Jacques Delmas
and will not renew his contract in the summer.
Delmas -
who led Biarritz to two French championships and a Heineken
Cup final - was only brought in after previous head coach
Ewen McKenzie was sacked in September
2009.
Top 14 Table 2008/9
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Top 14 Transfers
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ProD2 Transfers
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Top 14
Fixtures 2009/10
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Stade
began brightly under Delmas' stewardship but have struggled
in recent months and now find themselves sitting eighth in
the league and facing the prospect of missing out on the
end-of-season play-offs for the first time since 2000/01 -
and that despite the format being extended to include six
rather than four teams.
Read More...
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17 March 2010
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Scapegoat:
Jonny Wilkinson
Photo: Michael Paler |
One-time
golden boy Jonny Wilkinson has been unceremoniously dumped
by England as manager Martin Johnson has rung the changes
for Saturday's Paris showdown with France.
Wilkinson, 30, has paid the price for a mounting media
campaign which has primarily blamed the former World Cup
hero for England's stale and static rugby.
It
appears the Toulon fly-half has been made the scapegoat for
a team which has continually under-performed, with Leicester
Tigers' Toby Flood named in his place for the weekend match
against Grand Slam chasing France.
Paris
when it sizzles can be a daunting venue at the best of
times, but Saturday night is bound to be a highly charged
affair as Marc Lièvremont's team go in search of revenge
(for last year's 34-10 defeat) and a first Grand Slam since
2004.
Read More... |
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15 March 2010
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Wanted:
Carl Hayman
Photo: Michael Paler |
All
Blacks prop Carl Hayman is reportedly the latest big-name
signing being lined up by Top 14's Toulon.
The
Newcastle Falcons star is said to be weighing up offers from
both Toulon and the New Zealand Rugby Union as he
contemplates whether to return home in time to make the All
Blacks' World Cup squad.
News of
their interest in one of the world's most prized props comes
in the same week that the club has confirmed that backs
coach Tana Umaga will definitely leave at the end of the
season to take up a player-coaching role with Counties
Manukau back in New Zealand.
Top 14 Table
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Top 14 leading scorers
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Top 14 Results
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Top 14
Fixtures
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Top 14
Transfers
Umaga
was previously head coach of the Top 14 outfit as he
presided over their rise from ProD2 two seasons ago, but
stepped back to allow Philippe Saint-André to take over
after struggling in their first season back in the top
flight.
Read More...
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16 March 2010
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Back in blue:
Mathieu Bastareaud
Photo: Michael Paler |
Grand
Slam-chasing France have made just one change for their
weekend clash with England, recalling rested centre Mathieu
Bastareaud in place of David Marty.
Perpignan's Marty did nothing wrong as he ran in two tries
against Italy in Sunday's 46-20 demolition, but coach Marc
Lièvremont was always going to turn to Bastareaud as 'Les
Bleus' push for their first Grand Slam since 2004.
The
Stade Francais youngster has been one of the players of the
tournament so far and only sat out the Italy match as a
precaution ahead of the England game.
His
bulk, power and speed combine to make him a near unstoppable
man-mountain in the centres, where he is already building up
an excellent rapport with Stade Toulousain's Yannick
Jauzion.
Read More... |
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15 March 2010
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Four down, one to go: France kept their Grand Slam hopes
alive with a 46-20 home win against Italy in Paris
Photo: Michael Paler |
France
coach Marc Lièvremont has named an unchanged 23-man squad
for their Grand Slam showdown with England following 'Les
Bleus' emphatic 46-20 home win against Italy on Sunday.
France
rain in six tries as they dominated Italy in Paris, with
David Marty (2), Imanol Harinordoquy, Marc Andreu, Yannick
Jauzion and Alexandre Lapandry all crossing before Italy
rallied with two late scores from Carlo Del Fava and Pablo
Canavosio.
Read More...
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15 March 2010
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Lannemezan |
24 |
Colomiers |
22 |
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Tarbes |
22 |
Lyon OU |
16 |
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Aurillac |
24 |
FC Auch Gers |
15 |
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Union Bordeaux-Bègles |
31 |
Pau |
13 |
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RC Narbonne |
24 |
Dax |
18 |
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Oyonnax |
36 |
Aix-en-Provence |
18 |
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La Rochelle |
25 |
Grenoble |
21 |
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Mont-de-Marsan |
18 |
SU Agen |
12 |
Just two
rounds after beating Oyonnax 23-11 to open up a six-point
gap long-time leaders SU Agen now find themselves
level-pegging with their championship rivals after losing
18-12 at Mont-de-Marsan on Sunday.
Agen's
defeat - their first in seven games - left them tied with
Oyonnax on 79 points, although their next two games at both
at home to lowly Colomiers and Lannemezan.
Read More... |
14 March 2010
| Fri 12
March |
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Toulon |
19 |
Castres |
6 |
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Bayonne |
22 |
Clermont Auvergne |
13 |
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Stade Toulousain |
34 |
Montpellier |
3 |
| SCA Albi |
7 |
Bourgoin |
17 |
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Brive |
24 |
Stade Francais |
16 |
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Perpignan |
19 |
Biarritz |
14 |
| Sat
13 March |
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Montauban |
45 |
Racing-Métro 92 |
31 |
Fly-half
Cédric Rosalen kicked 30 points as relegation-threatened
Montauban beat high-flying Racing-Métro 45-31 at
the Stade Sapiac on Saturday night.
The win
wasn't enough to lift Montauban out of the drop zone but
they are now just one point behind 13th-placed Montpellier
with four games left to play. Bayonne and Bourgoin also
remain within touching distance despite their Friday night
wins (see below) as just three points now separate the four
teams above relegated Albi in an increasingly congested
table.
Read More... |
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12 March 2010
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Centre of attention:
Brive's Riki Flutey
Photo: Michael Paler |
Brive
CEO Simon Gillham has reiterated that want-away England
centre Riki Flutey will remain at the Limousin club
next season.
Flutey,
30, has been heavily linked with a summer move away – to
either Munster or his former club London Wasps – but Gillham
insists that the Kiwi-born player will remain in France. “He
is under contract until June 2011,” he stressed.
Top 14 Table
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Top 14 leading scorers
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Top 14 Results
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Top 14
Fixtures
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Top 14
Transfers
Gillham’s unequivocal stance follows a report in London’s
Evening Standard paper earlier this week which claimed
Flutey had agreed to rejoin Wasps. It said the London club
had found extra cash to finance the deal after seeing
fly-half Danny Cipriani sign for Melbourne Rebels.
Read More...
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12 March 2010
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Under pressure:
Steve Borthwick
Photo: Michael Paler |
The Calcutta Cup is up
for grabs at Murrayfield this weekend and both Scotland and
England will go into the match looking to get back on track
after disappointing defeats in their last RBS Six Nations
matches.
Scotland went down
16-12 in Italy and are now looking at a possible wooden
spoon, while England again failed to convert possession into
points as they lost 16-20 at home to Ireland. The world’s
oldest international fixture – dating back to 1871 – will be
a typically tribal affair as national rivalries are renewed,
but it’s unlikely to be a free-flowing feast of running
rugby as the result takes precedence over all else.
Under-pressure Toulon
and England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson is desperate to put in
a match-winning performance but he’s acutely aware of the
threat Scotland possess, and the type of game it’s likely to
be.
Read More...
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12 March 2010
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Now or never: Stade Francais must pull
together for an end-of-season push
Photo: Michael Paler |
The big chill returned to
France this week but the on-pitch temperatures are set to
rise as another crucial weekend of fixtures are played out
in Top 14. The twin issues of relegation and the fight for
play-off places again dominate the agenda, with the likes of
Stade Francais, Brive and Biarritz battling to secure a top
six spot while Bourgoin, Bayonne, Montauban and Montpellier
continue to fight off the drop.
Top 14 Table
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Top 14 try-scorers
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Top 14 Results
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Top 14
Fixtures
As
things stand leaders Castres and second-placed Clermont
Auvergne will head straight through to the play-off
semi-finals, while Perpignan, Stade Toulousain, Toulon and
Racing-Metro will fight it out to secure the other two
places via the quarter-final play-offs. Sixth-placed Racing
are six points clear of their nearest rivals – Stade
Francais – with two other teams – Brive and Biarritz – a
further two points behind. Missing out on the play-offs (and
Heineken Cup qualification) would be a major blow for all
three of those sides, and with only four rounds to go after
this weekend they have absolutely no room for more dropped
points.
Read More... |
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11 March 2010
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Mont-de-Marsan |
46 |
Lannemezan |
6 |
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Grenoble |
22 |
Tarbes |
20 |
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RC Narbonne |
25 |
Aurillac |
9 |
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Lyon OU |
20 |
La Rochelle |
14 |
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FC Auch Gers |
15 |
Dax |
21 |
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Aix-en-Provence |
13 |
Union Bordeaux-Bègles |
10 |
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Pau |
16 |
SU Agen |
16 |
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Colomiers |
12 |
Oyonnax |
13 |
ProD2
leaders SU Agen were held to a 16-16 draw at Pau
on Sunday as the play-off chasing home side recorded their
fifth tie of the season.
In-form
scrum-half Clement Darbo crossed for Pau on 27 minutes to
open the scoring, adding the conversion himself and a
subsequent penalty as they went 10-0 up shortly before the
interval.
Both
sides had a player sin-binned right on stroke of half-time,
with Pau’s Jeremy Tomuli and Agen’s Laurent Cabarry – both
props – seeing yellow.
Read More... |
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07 March 2010
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Season over:
Frédéric Michalak
Photo: Michael Paler |
France
coach Marc Lièvremont has called up Biarritz scrum-half
Dimitri Yachvili after Frederic Michalak became the latest
player to go down injured.
Michalak, 27, had come on as a second-half replacement in
all three of France's games in the RBS Six Nations, but his
season has now been ended after tearing the cruciate
ligament in his left knee while tackling Stade Francais'
Hugo Southwell on Saturday.
Michalak
himself was a late addition to the French squad after club
colleague Jean-Baptiste Elissalde was forced out with
injury.
And
Elissalde, likewise, was only called up because Julien Dupuy
(suspended), Sebastien Tillous-Borde (injured) and Yachvili
(injured) were unavailable.
Forty-times capped Yachvili, 29, made his playing comeback
on Saturday in Biarritz's 21-20 defeat at Toulon - scoring a
try and kicking 10 points - and now finds himself parachuted
immediately back into the national squad.
Read More...
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06 March 2010
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Toulouse hero:
David Skrela
Photo: Michael Paler |
He
dominated the headlines all week but in the end James
Haskell was probably thankful that he didn’t play for
Stade Francais on Saturday after the Paris side crashed
to a humiliating 0-29 'home' defeat at the hands of Stade
Toulousain in front of a sold out crowd at the Stade de
France.
The loss
was their third at home this season and leaves them staring
into the abyss of non-qualification for either the Top 14
play-offs or next season’s Heineken Cup. They could yet
avoid the latter by surging to European victory this season,
but they have the little matter of an away quarter-final
against Stade Toulousain to negotiate first, and given this
evidence there isn’t much ground for optimism.
Top 14 Table
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Top 14 leading scorers
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Top 14 Results
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Top 14
Fixtures
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Top 14
Transfers
The Paris
side was simply outplayed throughout by Guy Noves’ team,
with former Stade Francais fly-half David Skrela ensuring
there was let up by bagging five penalties and two
conversions for a 19-point match haul against his old team.
Read More... |
05 March 2010
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Club v Country:
James Haskell
Photo: Michael Paler |
The
ongoing public spat between Stade Francais and the RFU -
over James Haskell's non-release
- could eventually end up in court.
That was
the latest threat from angry Stade president Max Guazzini
after he finally appeared to lose his battle to get Haskell
released to play against Stade Toulousain this weekend.
Guazzini
has insisted he has no problems with the player himself -
who he feels is being blackmailed to stay in England by the
RFU - but that still hasn't prevented the flamboyant owner
from threatening legal action against Haskell for breach of
contract.
Top 14 Table
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Top 14 leading scorers
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Top 14 Results
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Top 14
Fixtures
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Top 14
Transfers
"It is
shameful, this blackmail," Guazzini told BBC Sport.
"I am very sorry it has come to this. The RFU is keeping him
prisoner. Frankly, I find their attitude lacks respect. It's
immoral. It is not my fault England lost to Ireland at
Twickenham," he said.
Read More... |
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05 March 2010
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New challenge:
Paul Sackey
Photo: Michael Paler |
England
winger Paul Sackey said the twin attractions of a new
environment and the coaching skills of Philippe Saint-André
had persuaded him to leave London Wasps for Toulon.
The
22-times capped winger was speaking at his first French
press conference after jetting in to the Cote d'Azur.
Top 14 Table
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Top 14 try-scorers
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Top 14 Results
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Top 14
Fixtures
Sackey,
30, signed a two-year deal to join Jonny Wilkinson and
company at Toulon, and admitted he spurned other offers from
French clubs to finally join up with Saint-André.
"I
wanted to change my environment and my lifestyle," he said.
"I could have gone to Paris, but it was too similar to
London. I want to experience a real change, by signing for a
club that offers me something different and has lots of
ambition.
Read More...
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04 March 2010
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Club v Country:
James Haskell
Photo: Michael Paler |
Stade
Francais president Max Guazzini has labelled James Haskell a
'hostage' as the RFU continues to release the player for
weekend club duty.
Guazzini
is reportedly furious at the RFU's intransigence and has
repeatedly asked for the English governing body to produce
evidence that a written agreement was inserted in Haskell's
original contract.
The RFU
maintain the 24-year-old remains under Martin Johnson's care
and have curtly rebuffed Guazzini's pleas that Haskell be
allowed to play in Saturday's crunch match against Stade
Toulousain. Haskell himself - according to reports in
today's Daily Mail - is said to be willing to play and is
now considering his options as both sides turn up the heat.
Read More...
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04 March 2010
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The main stage: Stade Toulousain travel to
Paris after successive home defeats
Photo: Michael Paler |
The
unseemly public squabble between Stade
Francais and the RFU over James Haskell's
availability has overshadowed the rugby news in France this
week, but the focus must now turn to the actual games, with
a mouthwatering fixture list ready to whet the appetite of
even the most satiated supporter.
Top 14 Table
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Top 14 try-scorers
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Top 14 Results
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Top 14
Fixtures
The action kicks off on Friday
with a re-run of last year's play-off final as Clermont
Auvergne (2nd) take on defending champions Perpignan (3rd)
at the Stade Marcel Michelin, while on Saturday Stade
Francais entertain Stade Toulousain at a sold-out national
stadium in the latest version of Top 14's self-styled
'classico'.
Read More... |
03 March 2010
|
Club v Country:
James Haskell
Photo: Michael Paler |
Stade
Francais have demanded that England release James Haskell
for their weekend game against Stade Toulousain, with the
Paris club denying there is any agreement in place with the
RFU to allow the 24-year-old to rest.
The club
versus country clash is the first real test of relations
between the RFU and French clubs, and while it remains an
isolated spat at present there are bound to be many
interested onlookers.
The
problem stems from the fact that France has released all of
its squad back their respective clubs for this weekend's
games, with club coaches expecting a similar arrangement
from England. But the RFU has opted to retain the England
starting XV against Ireland, meaning the likes of Haskell,
Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) and Riki Flutey (Brive) remain
under Martin Johnson's control.
Read More...
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03 March 2010
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Centre of attention:
Brive's Riki Flutey
Photo: Michael Paler |
While
Stade Francais and the RFU continue their ongoing power
struggle over James Haskell, the English governing body
could yet play an integral role in helping finance Riki
Flutey's return from France.
Flutey
is known to be unhappy at Brive and looking for an escape
clause back to Britain, with Irish province Munster and
former club London Wasps both keen to bring him 'home'.
Top 14 Table
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Top 14 leading scorers
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Top 14 Results
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Top 14
Fixtures
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Top 14
Transfers
But the
New Zealand-born centre still has a year remaining on his
contract with Brive, and was last week told he was staying
put by club CEO Simon Gillham. That 'hands-off' warning
followed earlier reports that Flutey had agreed a two-year
deal to join Munster.
Read More...
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02 March 2010
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Crucial input:
Jonny Wilkinson
Photo: Michael Paler |
With six
more rounds to go there is a theoretical maximum of 30
points still to play for in Top 14, so as the season draws
to its climax FRC takes a peek at the future to see what it
could behold.
There
are two distinct areas of interest with the first (which we
are looking at today) being who
will make the top six, thereby qualifying for the newly
expanded league play-offs as well as next season's Heineken
Cup. Realistically there are nine teams trying to claim the
six slots, with the current incumbents being pursued by the
not inconsiderable trio of Stade Francais, Brive and
Biarritz.
Top 14 Table
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Top 14 try-scorers
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Top 14 Results
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Top 14
Fixtures
The
other main focal point is relegation, with two teams set to
depart for ProD2 in the summer. Basement club SCA Albi were
promoted via the play-offs last season, but their struggles
have been aplenty in Top 14 this season. With 17 defeats
from 20 they are all but mathematically down, so the real
question is which team will join them?
Read More... |
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01 March 2010
|
Union Bordeaux-Bègles |
24 |
Mont-de-Marsan |
21 |
|
Grenoble |
27 |
RC Narbonne |
14 |
|
Dax |
22 |
Aurillac |
13 |
|
Pau |
16 |
Tarbes |
15 |
|
La Rochelle |
11 |
Colomiers |
6 |
|
FC Auch Gers |
18 |
Lyon OU |
25 |
|
SU Agen |
23 |
Oyonnax |
11 |
|
Lannemezan |
32 |
Aix-en-Provence |
28 |
SU Agen
took a massive step towards the ProD2 title - and automatic
promotion to Top 14 - following their 23-11 home win against
second-placed Oyonnax on Sunday. Their weekend
victory lifted Agen six points clear of their nearest rivals
with just eight games remaining as they continued their
quest to secure top flight status.
Former
Toulon fly-half Conrad Barnard kicked two penalties and a
conversion as the hosts opened up a 13-6 half-time
advantage, with the South African maintaining his impressive
start for the leaders since joining after Christmas.
Read More... |
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By Joe El Abd, 01 March 2010
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Wanted
man:
Shane Williams
Photo: Michael Paler |
Toulon flanker and FRC columnist Joe El Abd
this week talks about the French transfer system and reveals
why he believes Welsh winger Shane Williams is set to become
the club's latest high-profile signing.
For most
rugby clubs in Europe the last four months of the campaign
are the most interesting of the season. For one, it is the
time where everything gets decided. Whether you are
competing for championships, trying to fight off relegation
or competing in European competition you really are entering
the ‘money’ end of the season. If this wasn’t enough the
second aspect which makes it interesting is all the
speculation surrounding the movement of players between the
clubs around Europe. At a club like Toulon such speculation
is never too far from the headlines.
Top 14 Transfers 2010/11
So far
we have
confirmed the signings of Dean
Schofield and Paul Sackey from the English
Premiership and three players Jean-Philippe Genevois,
Karena Wihongi and Clement Baiocco from the French Top 14. I
have played against the English players many times before
during my time at Bristol and I must say that I think both
are shrewd signings by Philippe Saint-André. Both have been
at their respective clubs for some time now and I am sure
that both will be excited by the new challenge being offered
by Toulon.
Read More... |
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28 February 2010
|
Bourgoin joy
Photo: Michael Paler |
Defiant
Bourgoin boosted their Top 14 survival hopes with a battling
12-6 home win against relegation rivals Bayonne.
Fly-half
Alberto De Bernardo was the hosts' hero, kicking all 12
points as Bourgoin bounced back from last weekend's
disappointing home defeat by Stade Francais.
The
Argentine No 10 kicked three penalties and a drop-goal as
Bourgoin registered a potentially crucial victory that saw
them leapfrog their visitors into 12th position.
It was
only Bayonne's second defeat in six games under new head
coach Christian Gajan, but the ramifications could be huge
after the Basques slipped back into the dreaded drop-zone.
There
are just six more league games to be played and Bourgoin's
win has now dragged both Montauban and Montpellier into the
relegation drama, with just four points separating 13th from
10th as the battle for survival hots up.
Read More...
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26 February 2010
|
Record-breaker:
Shane Williams
Photo: Michael Paler |
Wales
20 (0)
France 26 (20)
France
maintained their Grand Slam hopes with a 26-20 victory
against Wales in Cardiff on Friday night.
'Les
Bleus' waltzed into a 20-0 lead at half-time before
withstanding a typical Welsh fightback in the second half to
record a third successive win for the first time under head
coach Marc Lièvremont.
While
the match never reached the hoped for 'classic' status, it
was a gripping encounter that brought full volume from the
home crowd as it roared on the Welsh during their
second-half surge. Memories of their incredible late rally
against the Scots sprang to mind, but France are a very
different proposition to Andy Robinson's outfit and the
championship favourites had too much savvy to let this one
slip - even after scrum-half Morgan Parra was sin-binned for
a professional foul.
Read More... |
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26 February 2010
|
Uncertain future:
Battling Bourgoin
Photo: Michael Paler |
There
may only be one match in Top 14 this weekend – due to the
RBS Six Nations – but it is a game of huge significance as
13th-placed Bourgoin play host to 12th-placed
Bayonne in what has effectively become a relegation
showdown.
Top 14 Table
/
Top 14 try-scorers
/
Top 14 Results
/
Top 14
Fixtures
The
Stade Pierre Rajon will be sold out for the re-scheduled
round 18 match – originally postponed on January 9th
due to snow – and with the two teams separated by a singular
point it is a game neither side can afford to lose. There
are just six league matches left after this encounter and a
defeat could send either on their way to ProD2 come the
summer.
Visitors
Bayonne arrive boosted by four wins in five games since
Christian Gajan became their third head coach of the season,
with last weekend’s 22-16 triumph at Montpellier enough to
lift them (temporarily at least) above Bourgoin, and out of
the dreaded drop zone. A second successive away win would
hoist them further ahead (by at least five points), and
Bayonne also have the knowledge that their next match is at
home to basement boys SCA Albi.
Read More...
|
|
26 February 2010
|
Welsh threat:
Shane Williams
Photo: Michael Paler |
The roof
will be closed in Cardiff tonight, but such is the
expectancy and excitement surrounding the Wales v France
clash it might prove impossible to keep a lid on both the
game and the Millennium Stadium.
It's
always risky to predict a classic encounter, with sport
notoriously fickle in its treatment of certainties, but
there is little doubt that the intensity of this match will
rival anything seen in this season's RBS Six Nations.
France
arrive buoyed by back-to-back wins over Scotland (9-18) and
Ireland (33-10), and in search of another victory to
maintain hopes of a first Grand Slam since 2004. They have
been the form team of the tournament so far, and have an
awesome pack ready to power its way to forward dominance
whoever the opposition. Earlier this season they gave World
Champions South Africa a lesson in true power play, and
Wales will know they must front up in Cardiff to have any
chance of victory.
Read More... |
25 February 2010
|
Wing wizard:
Shane Williams
Photo: Michael Paler |
Big-spending Top 14 side Toulon are putting together a £1m
two-year deal to lure Welsh winger Shane Williams away from
the Ospreys, according to press reports.
The
Western Mail claims Williams, 33, will be offered a
basic £500,000 per season salary, with the Ospreys
compensated an additional £200,000 in the shape of a
transfer fee for allowing the winger to leave with one year
still remaining on his contract.
Top 14 Table
/
Top 14 try-scorers
/
Top 14 Results
/
Top 14
Fixtures
The
report further claimed that Ospreys had already prepared the
ground for Williams' departure by signing Dragons winger
Richard Fussell.
The huge
financial offer for Williams could tempt the former IRB
Player of the Year to sign for one final pay day before
retiring, and it would also satisfy Toulon president Mourad
Boudjellal's quest to bring in another international star.
Read More... |
|
24 February 2010
|
Staying put:
Riki Flutey
Photo: Michael Paler |
England
centre Riki Flutey has been told to stay and honour
his two-year contract at Brive.
The
want-away England star had reportedly agreed a two-year deal
with Irish province Munster - as well been offered a
three-year deal to return to former club London Wasps - but
must now stay in France for at least one more year.
The
30-year-old has only played four games for Brive since
joining in the summer, with a shoulder injury and
international duties severely curtailing his appearances.
It is
understood Flutey has struggled to settled in France since
his move and is unhappy at the direction the club is
currently moving in. Specifically he was not impressed by
their decision to release England fly-half Andy Goode -
initially on a loan deal to Natal Sharks and then to take up
a three-year contract with Worcester Warriors.
Read More... |
|
23 February 2010
|
Homeward bound?
Mark Gasnier
Photo: Michael Paler
|
Rugby
league converts Mark Gasnier and Sonny Bill
Williams are both set to leave France in the summer to
further their respective World Cup claims.
Gasnier
and Williams are both at the end of their two-year contracts
- with Stade Francais and Toulon respectively - and know
that they must return down under if they are to fulfil their
dreams of becoming dual internationals in time for the 2011
World Cup.
Gasnier
has apparently been made an offer from the Australia Rugby
Union (ARU) to help subsidise any move home, while Williams
is keen to represent the All Blacks.
Top 14 Transfers 2010/11
Read More... |
23 February 2010
|
Au revoir: Brive fly-half
Andy Goode
Photo: Michael Paler |
Brive
fly-half Andy Goode has confirmed he will not be
returning to the French club after his loan stint with Super
14's Natal Sharks.
Goode -
who announced his temporary move to
South Africa last week - will instead move back
to England to take up a contract with Worcester Warriors in
the Guinness Premiership.
Top 14 Transfers 2010/11
News of
his departure also comes just days after it was reported
that Brive and England colleague
Riki Flutey will also be leaving the
French club in the summer after signing a two-year deal with
Ireland's Munster.
It
continues on ongoing overhaul of the Brive squad, with the
dual goals of reducing a large wage bill and putting more
emphasis on recruiting French players.
Read More... |
|
22 February 2010
Leaders SU Agen fought back from 3-9 at
half-time to beat Union Bordeaux-Bègles
21-16 and set up a potential championship showdown
with second-placed Oyonnax next weekend.
Agen
opened the scoring through Conrad Barnard's sixth-minute
penalty, but found themselves trailing at the interval after
a nine-point burst in five minutes from Union thanks to a
penalty from Henri-Pierre Vermis and drop-goals from both
Jaco Van Schalkwyk and Raphael Lagarde.
Barnard's second penalty success narrowed the gap three
minutes after the restart and Agen then reclaimed the lead
when full-back Sofiane Guitoune touched down for the game's
opening try on 47 minutes.
Barnard
was on target with the conversion to make it 13-9, but the
ProD2 leaders found themselves behind again after Tongan
centre Saia Fekitoa scored a try (converted by Vermis) for
the visitors on 54 minutes.
Read More... |
|
22 February 2010
|
Welsh threat:
Shane Williams
Photo: Michael Paler |
Injuries
to Vincent Clerc and Fulgence Ouedraogo have forced Marc
Lièvremont to make two changes to the French starting XV
which takes on Wales in Cardiff on Friday night.
Bayonne's fit-again winger Benjamin Fall - who scored at the
weekend - and Clermont Auvergne's Julien Bonnaire have been
named as their replacements, former Under-21's captain
Alexandre Lapandry among the subs. Brive winger Alexis
Palisson has recovered from the bruised thigh he sustained
against Ireland and is set to start, with Julien Malzieu
once more on the bench.
Scotland 9 France 18 /
France 33 Ireland 10
Veteran
Stade Francais prop Sylvain Marconnet was also ruled out of
the match due to injury, paving the way for Stade
Toulousain's Jean-Baptiste Poux to join the replacements.
Read More... |
|
21 February 2010
|
Au revoir:
Riki Flutey
Photo: Michael Paler |
England
centre Riki Flutey is leaving Brive to take up
a two-year contract with Irish province Munster.
The
30-year-old has been lined up to help fill the void created
by the imminent departures of South Africa's Jean de
Villiers and New Zealand's Doug Howlett, according to media
reports in France.
Top 14 Table
/
Top 14 try-scorers
/
Top 14 Results
/
Top 14
Fixtures
Flutey
has played just four matches for Brive since joining in the
summer, with a shoulder injury and international calls
severely curtailing his input. The player is said to be
unhappy about the recent departure of English fly-half
Andy Goode -
who signed a loan contract with Natal
Sharks last week - and his departure would also
help reduce the club's heavy wage bill.
Read More... |
|
20 February 2010
|
Try-scorer:
Francois Steyn
Photo: Michael Paler |
Castres have regained the Top 14 lead despite a
last-ditch penalty by Jonathan Wisniewski denying them
victory away to fellow high-flyers Racing-Métro 92.
The
visitors fought back from 18-9 down at half-time after tries
from Francois Steyn and Henry Chavancy had put the Parisians
in charge, with Wisniewski also chipping two penalties and a
conversion.
Castres
full-back Romain 'Robocop' Teulet kept the away side in
contention with two of his team's three first-half
penalties, and he went on to add four more and a drop-goal
after the interval as they looked to clock a significant
away victory.
The last
of his seven successful kicks came six minutes from time to
put Castres 24-21 ahead, but Wisniewski had the last word as
he landed an injury time reply that left both teams with a
share of spoils. But their frustration at being denied the
win was then tempered by news that morning leaders
Perpignan had gone down 16-13 away to Montauban,
thus enabling Castres to re-take the summit by a solitary
point.
Read More...
|
18 February 2010
|
Eye on the ball:
Brive's Shaun Perry
Photo: Michael Paler |
Top 14 returns this
weekend with a crucial round of fixtures set to be played
out without any of France's 23-man Six Nations squad
participating. This will obviously affect some teams more
than others, with Stade Toulousain (seven absentees) and
Clermont Auvergne (five) the two hardest hit by the LNR's
decision.
Stade Toulousain boss Guy
Noves made his feelings clear on the matter this week -
especially regarding the availability
of Jean-Baptiste Poux - and the visit of Toulon
to the 17-time champions is one of the standout fixtures
scheduled for Saturday.
Elsewhere, there are a
number of critical clashes with Biarritz entertaining Brive
in a match that could major implications for two sides both
seeking to make up ground for a coveted top six finish.
Read More... |
18 February 2010
|
Winging in:
Paul Sackey
Photo: Michael Paler |
Toulon have confirmed that England winger Paul Sackey
has signed a two-year contract with them.
The
30-year-old
last week announced his intention to
leave London Wasps in the summer and the Top 14
outfit has now announced that he will be joining the likes
of Jonny Wilkinson and Juan Sebastien Lobbe as Philippe
Saint-André continues to strengthen his squad.
Sources
close to the club have said that Sackey's move has now put
an end to speculation they might also sign Welsh wing wizard
Shane Williams.
Top 14 Table
/
Top 14 try-scorers
/
Top 14 Results
/
Top 14
Fixtures
The
England international joins a multinational squad that also
features former Springbok Joe Van Niekerk and fellow
Guinness Premiership arrival Dean Schofield.
Read More... |
|
17.02.10 - News: Toulouse boss Noves fumes at
being denied Jean-Baptiste Poux
17.02.10 - Top 14:
Toulon target Shane Williams to join wide-boy Paul Sackey;
Bai signs for Castres
16.02.10 - ProD2: SU Agen reclaim top spot;
Aurillac win boosts play-off hopes
15.02.10 - RBS Six Nations: Nervous
England squeeze past determined Italy to register second win
14.02.10 - RBS 6 Nations: France target Grand
Slam after dismantling champions Ireland 33-10 in Paris
13.02.10 - RBS 6 Nations: Parra's
cheating claims add further spice to France-Ireland showdown
12.02.10 - Top 14: Médard and Millo-Chluski
extend with Toulouse; Dupuy appeals
12.02.10 - RBS Six Nations: Jonny Wilkinson and Riki
Flutey - the start of a beautiful relationship?
11.02.10 - Top 14: England winger Paul Sackey set to
join Toulon after confirming Wasps exit
11.02.10 -
Joe (El-Abd) Blogs:
Siege mentality will help England, but France are still my
favourites
10.02.10 - RBS 6 Nations: Marconnet,
Palisson and Clerc in as France make changes for Ireland
10.02.10 - Top 14: Rebels line up Mark Gasnier;
Toulon sign Jean-Philippe Genevois
10.02.10 - RBS Six Nations: Fit-again Flutey
named in England's starting XV
08.02.10 - ProD2, r20: Oyonnax claim top spot
after SU Agen are held at Grenoble
08.02.10 - RBS 6 Nations: Mathieu Bastareaud
double hastens public redemption for French centre
06.02.10 - RBS Six Nations: James
Haskell double earns England a 30-17 home win against Wales
06.02.10 - Top 14: Champs Perpignan down Bayonne
to move level with Castres
05.02.10 - RBS Six Nations: England
turn to Toby Flood after late Riki Flutey injury
05.02.10 - Top 14: Bayonne ready for Perpignan;
Toulon sign Schofield, target Sackey
05.02.10 - RBS 6 Nations: France turn to
Frédéric Michalak after Jean-Baptiste Elissalde injury
03.02.10 - RBS 6 Nations: Poitrenaud, Bastareaud
and Rougerie in France starting XV for Scotland
02.02.10 - Top 14: French clubs target Borthwick,
Sackey, Kay and Cipriani
30.01.10 - RBS 6 Nations: Pierre
replaces injured Millo-Chluski; Lièvremont targets the Grand
Slam
28.01.10 - Top 14, r19: Bayonne win Basque derby to raise
survival hopes; Toulouse batter Albi
28.10.10 - Top 14: "Happy" Wilkinson agrees
one-year extension to stay at Toulon
27.01.10 - Top 14, r19: Castres beat Stade Francais to
reclaim the lead after Racing down Clermont
26.01.10 - Top 14, r19 preview: Struggling
Bayonne entertain Biarritz in a crucial Basque derby
26.01.10 - ProD2, r18: Agen's lead cut to two
points as Oyonnax head chasing pack
25.01.10 - H Cup: French clubs dominate
quarter-finals, with the two Stades going head-to-head
24.01.10 - ACC, r6: Bourgoin win 18-9 at Leeds to
join Toulon in the quarter-finals
24.01.10 - Heineken Cup, r6 review:
Toulouse and Biarritz both
win to seal home quarter-finals
24.01.10 - Heineken Cup: Four
French teams into quarter finals; Brave Brive battle to shed
'point-less' tag
24.01.10 - ACC, r6: Wilkinson's Toulon hit
Castres for six to secure quarter-final
23.01.10 -
Iain Balshaw exclusive:
"We've got the talent, but we're too inconsistent"
23.01.10 - Heineken Cup: Stade Francais and
Clermont make it four French teams into quarter finals
23.01.10 - ACC, r6: Bayonne, Montauban,
Montpellier and Racing-Métro all win
23.01.10 - Top 14: England World Cup winner Lewis Moody
eyes up French move; Attoub appeals
23.01.10 -
Shaun Perry exclusive:
'It would be a massive disappointment to finish without any
points'
22.01.10 - Top 14: Ospreys star Mike Phillips
joins James Hook on the French wish-list
22.01.10 - ACC, r6: Wisniewski's last-gasp kick
earns Racing 19-17 win over Wasps
21.01.10 - Heineken Cup, r6 preview: Stage set
for French clubs to monopolize the last eight
21.01.10 - ACC, r6 preview: Toulon and Bourgoin
fly the French flag in Amlin Challenge
21.02.10 - International: Mathieu
Bastareaud called up as Marc Lièvremont goes back to the
future
20.01.10 - News: Attoub "traumatised" at 70-week ban;
Guazzini claims "anti-French bias" again
19.01.10 - News: Elissalde and Boyet
tipped for France recalls; Fauqué leaves Toulon for Bayonne
18.01.10 - ProD2, r17: Agen and Oyonnax both lose
as the chasing pack gains ground
17.01.10 - ACC, r5: Bayonne beat Racing for rare
win; Toulon and Bourgoin eye quarter-final
17.01.10 - Heineken Cup:
Stade Toulousain join Biarritz in quarter-finals after hammering
Harlequins
15.01.10 - News: Perpignan chase James Hook;
David Attoub guilty of eye-gouging
15.01.10 - Heineken Cup, r5 preview: No room for
mistakes as French clubs seek Euro glory
15.01.10 - ACC, r5: Toulon still top despite
defeat; Bourgoin ease to victory
14.01.10 - News: Top 14 quartet named in England
squad; Triple blow for France
14.01.10 - ACC, r5 preview: Wilkinson to start
for Toulon; Montpellier optimistic
14.01.10 - Top 14: Julien Dupuy gets one week reduction;
Bayonne change coaches again
12.01.10 - ProD2, r16: Pau demolish Narbonne;
Oyonnax close gap on leaders Agen
10.01.10 - Top 14, r18: Michalak's miss proves costly as Clermont
Auvergne win 16-15 at Toulouse
09.01.10 - Top 14, r18: Castres stay top despite defeat; Toulon,
Brive and Stade Francais all win
08.01.10 - Top 14: Wilkinson to extend, Rooney to
leave; Gasnier still undecided
08.01.10 -
Ollie Phillips column:
Snow, injuries and playing away - all in a day's work at Stade
08.01.10 - Top 14, r18 preview - Crunch time as arctic
weather adds an icy chill to crucial fixtures
06.01.10 - Top 14:
Stade Francais turn to hooker in hour of need; Lucky 13th
for Julien Dupuy?
06.01.10 - Top 14: Buoyant Bourgoin given cash
boost ahead of Bayonne showdown
04.01.10 - Top 14: Scrum-half crisis
deepens at Stade Francais; Broken leg sidelines Jason White
03.01.10 - Top 14, r17: Clinical Clermont dispatch Toulon;
Bourgoin stun Racing to halt run
03.01.10 - Top 14, r17: Riki Flutey makes
winning return as Brive beat champions Perpignan
01.01.10 - Top 14, r17 preview - In-form
Racing-Métro seek perfect 10; Toulon test for Clermont
31.12.09 -
Feature: Contrasting
fortunes in 2009 of in-form Racing-Métro and struggling Bayonne
30.12.09 - Top 14: Toulouse down champions
Perpignan, but Castres win again to stay top
30.12.09 - Top 14: Danny Cipriani plays down
French link; Julien Malzieu extends
29.12.09 - Top 14, r16 preview - Stade
Toulousain-Perpignan clash headlines a festive feast
27.12.09 - Top 14: England's Danny Cipriani
linked with Stade Francais; Riki Flutey set for comeback
23.12.09 - International: Julien Dupuy's ban opens
door for Frédéric Michalak and Dimitri Yachvili
23.12.09 - News: Perpignan prop Schuster cited;
Galthié linked with Top 14's Bayonne
21.12.09 - News:
Juan Martin Hernandez set to sign for Racing-Métro 92;
Julien Dupuy appeals ban
21.12.09 - ProD2, r15: Agen halfway to heaven
after bonus-point win against Tarbes
21.12.09 - ACC, r4: Toulon maintain 100% record
to set up Saracens showdown
21.12.09 - Heineken Cup, r4: Four French clubs
set for the quarter-finals after crucial weekend
19.12.09 - News: Stade president
Guazzini claims Dupuy's ban is "political" and "anti-French"
19.12.09 - ACC, r4: Montauban beat Newcastle to
keep quarter-final hopes alive
18.12.09 - News: Stade Francais' Julien
Dupuy banned for six months by ERC for eye-gouging
18.12.09 - Heineken Cup, r4: Brussels on the menu as Stade Francais get
into the Christmas spirit
18.12.09 - ACC, r4: London Wasps end
Bayonne's Challenge, but Bourgoin keep hopes alive
17.12.09 - News: Dupuy and Attoub hearings delayed;
Brive pair banned; Top 14 salary caps
17.12.09 - ACC, r4 preview: Bourgoin and Bayonne kick off crucial
weekend of European club action
15.12.09 - News: "Stupid and dumb" Dupuy
and Attoub say sorry; Racing target Clermont's Bonnaire
14.12.09 - H-Cup: Biarritz slay Dragons and Clermont tame Tigers as
French clubs bite back
14.12.09 - ProD2, r14: SU Agen stretch lead to
seven points; Narbonne up to second
12.12.09 - Heineken Cup: Perpignan pay the
penalty as Ronan O'Gara boots Munster to narrow win
12.12.09 - ACC, r3: Saracens win at Castres, but
Toulon still top after routing Rovigo
11.12.09 - Heineken Cup, r3 preview: Revenge in
the air as French sides target quarter-final berths
10.12.09 -
Special Feature:
The role of rugby within sporting culture in the south west of
France,
Part II
10.12.09 - ACC preview: Battle of the
top guns as Castres play host to Saracens in pool three
shootout
08.12.09 -
Joe (El Abd) Blogs:
'I see the Top 14 play-off race
going all the way down the last game'
08.12.09 - Top 14: High-flying Racing-Metro hit
by Mathieu Lorée's cannabis confession
07.12.09 - ProD2, r13: Lucky 13 for Lannemezan
after first win; Agen lose at Narbonne
06.12.09 - Top 14: Rocket-man
Steyn propels Racing-Métro up to third after 28-15 win over Toulon
05.12.09 - Top 14, r15: Stade Francais and
Perpignan ease to wins, while Bourgoin upset Castres
05.12.09 - Top 14, r15: Montauban beat Clermont 20-15 as
'Les Jaunards' continue to struggle
04.12.09 -
Special feature:
The role of rugby in sporting culture within the southwest
of France
03.12.09 - Top 14, r15 preview - Internationals return to add
further sparkle to glitzy weekend
03.12.09 - Top 14: Seven up for Racing-Métro
after 23-20 win in Biarritz; David out
02.12.09 - Top 14: Racing head to Biarritz looking for
seventh heaven; Swine flu hits Brive and Albi
30.11.09 - International: France lick
their wounds as Graham Henry praises "special" All Blacks
30.11.09 - ProD2, r12: Leaders SU Agen pull eight
points clear after 10th victory
28.11.09 - International: Five-try All Blacks
gain sweet revenge in Marseille massacre
28.11.09 - Top 14: Toulouse third after derby win; Brive ease
pressure with 25-3 victory at Montpellier
28.11.09 - Top 14, r14: Castres thrash Biarritz to claim
outright lead; Wilkinson's boot sinks Stade Francais
27.11.09 - International: In-form France ready
for All Black challenge in Marseille
27.11.09 - Top 14, r14 preview - Buoyant Castres
eye up overall lead; Wilkinson set for Paris stage
25.11.09 - Top 14: Wilko back as Toulon target
'Fridge'; Toulouse woes continue
25.11.09 - News: 'Prototype' Barcella leads
French revolution; Kelleher tips NZ
25.11.09 - News: Lièvremont makes seven
changes for France starting XV against the All Blacks
24.11.09 - News: RFU back Johnson; Phillips not
picked for England's sevens squad
24.11.09 - News: Nonu credits Lomu inspiration;
Lièvremont finally turns to Heymans
24.11.09 -
Joe (El Abd) Blogs:
'Gym-monkeys, IPGs and the pain of being sidelined by injury'
23.11.09 - ProD2, r11: SU Agen consolidate to
spot; Win-less Lannemezan lose again
21.11.09 - International: Trinh-Duc leads France
to seven-try demolition of Samoa
21.11.09 - Top 14, r13: Racing take Paris honours while
Castres and Biarritz also pull off major wins
19.11.09 - International:
England's Ayoola Erinle vows to fight fire with fire against
All Blacks
19.11.09 - Top 14, r13 - Paris derby pits newcomers
Racing Métro against mighty Stade Francais
18.11.09 - International: Ayoola Erinle set for
first England start against All Blacks
18.11.09 - International: Debuts for
Fall and Lapandry as France make 12 changes for Samoa clash
18.11.09 - News: Strike threat averted after Top
14 presidents agree to further talks
17.11.09 - News: Top 14 clubs threaten strike action;
Racing complain to EC about player quotas
15.11.09 - News: France make five changes for
Samoa; USA beat Uruguay in qualifier
15.11.09 - News: Under-pressure Martin
Johnson admits Twickenham boo-boys were right
14.11.09 - International: Matt Banahan's
late try helps uninspiring England beat Argentina 16-9
13.11.09 - International: France turn
on the power to beat world champions South Africa 20-13
13.11.09 - News: France expects;
Wilkinson backs England to improve; Samoa target Wales win
11.11.09 - News: Steve Thompson out,
James Haskell in as Martin Johnson shuffles the England pack
11.11.09 - News: England call up
Doran-Jones; France and SA prepare for Friday 13th fright
night
11.11.09 - News: Racing's Francois Steyn to play
for French Barbarians v Europe XV
10.11.09 -
Feature:
Ayoola Erinle emerges from the darkness to become centre of
attention
09.11.09 - International: Toulon connection adds
spice to England v Argentina
09.11.09 - International: Lièvremont
opts for power as David gets the nod to slay Springbok
goliaths
08.11.09 - ProD2, r10: Oyonnax make it
magnificent seven (straight wins), but SU Agen still extend
lead
08.11.09 -
Exclusive:
England sevens captain Phillips in club v country conundrum
08.11.09 - International: Jonny
Wilkinson's boot not enough to save England against
Australia
06.11.09 - International: England's 'Frenchies' out to prove the
doubters wrong at Twickenham
06.11.09 -
Exclusive:
'Haskell is playing out of his skin' says house-mate
Phillips
05.11.09 - Top 14, r12: Shaun Perry's fireworks sets up
Brive win; Castres and Clermont draw 9-9
05.11.09 - International: French moves
helped Wilkinson and Thompson on road to England recalls
04.11.09 -
Joe (El Abd) Blogs:
Star turns and the glamour play - how to judge a players' performance
03.11.09 - Top 14, r12 preview - Unlikely relegation
double-header as Brive play host to Bayonne
03.11.09 - Top 14: Transfer rumours abound as
Racing-Métro line up big name stars
03.11.09 - International: Steve Thompson
set to start for England; Aussies wary of Jonny Wilkinson
02.11.09 - ProD2: Agen stretch lead; Oyonnax
maintain six-match winning streak
02.11.09 - News: England call up
Biarritz centre Erinle; France add Guirado after Ducalcon
injury
31.10.09 - Top 14: Last-gasp James rescues Clermont;
Racing's Wisniewski sinks Stade Toulousain
30.10.09 - Top 14, r11: Castres within a whisker of
shock win at defending champions Perpignan
29.10.09 - Top 14, r11 preview - Title aspirations on
the line as leaders Castres travel to Perpignan
29.10.09 - Top 14: Byron Kelleher escapes jail; Ben Cohen left
Brive "in their hour of need"
28.10.09 - Top 14: Mola - Brive must get back to
basics and concentrate on survival
28.10.09 - News:
Lièvremont
calls up Michalak and four new caps, but no place for sorry
Bastareaud
27.10.09 -
Joe (El Abd) Blogs:
Why I relish the role of 'gratteur', and the key to back row success
27.10.09 - News: Injured Lionel Beauxis to miss
Tests; Mathieu Bastareaud to say sorry
27.10.09 - News: Wilkinson, Thompson,
Haskell and Goode named in Johnson's England squad
27.10.09 - Top 14: Brive's Laurent Seigne
departs; Albi's Eric Bechu offers to go
26.10.09 - ProD2, r8: SU Agen reclaim the lead;
Lyon's late rally stuns La Rochelle
24.10.09 - Top 14, r10 review: Unsung Castres
claim top spot; 21-up for Toulon's Jonny Wilkinson
22.10.09 - Top 14, r10 - Big four clash as Biarritz and
Stade Francais put winning runs on the line
21.10.09 - News: Marc Lièvremont still waiting
for Mathieu Bastareaud apology
21.10.09 - Top 14: Biarritz relishing Hunt's
arrival; Nyanga out for five months
21.10.09 -
Joe (El Abd) Blogs:
'My brothers think I'm mad when they see all my rugby scars'
19.10.09 - News: Thierry Dusautoir is new France
captain; Karmichael Hunt arrives in Biarritz
19.10.09 - ProD2, r7: Narbonne take top spot
after Agen's late defeat at Oyonnax
18.10.09 - Heineken
Cup, r2: Stade Francais win in Bath
thanks to Ollie Phillips' late try; Clermont fall just short
18.10.09 - Heineken Cup, r2: Five-try Biarritz
demolish Gloucester; Toulouse rally for win; Brive crash
again
17.10.09 - Heineken Cup, r2 review: French
champions Perpignan beat Northampton Saints 29-13
17.10.09 - Top 14: NRL star Karmichael Hunt
confirms six-month Biarritz deal
16.10.09 - Top 14: LNR hands out heavy fines and
bans; Hook to stay put, for now
15.10.09 - ACC, r2: "I'm just enjoying myself,"
says Toulon match-winner Jonny Wilkinson
15.10.09 - Heineken
Cup, r2: Precious away wins up for
grabs as Stades Toulousain and Francais hit the road
15.10.09 - Heineken Cup: James Haskell -
'I love Paris, I love the French. Everything is wonderful
here'
14.10.09 - News: England coaches to watch Wilko;
Stade 'asked' Hernandez to go
14.10.09 - Top 14: Surprise packages Bourgoin and
Castres take the plaudits for results so far
13.10.09 -
Ben Cohen interview:
"I was massively irresponsible going to France," says winger
13.10.09 - Heineken Cup: Troubled Brive eye
Leinster; Perpignan's sinners target Saints
13.10.09 - ACC - Steyn adds to Racing's injuries;
Wilkinson set for Saracens showdown
13.10.09 -
Iain Balshaw interview:
'The boys pull
off crazy moves in training, and it's great to see'
12.10.09 -
Byron Kelleher interview:
"We've been playing as individuals and not as a team"
11.10.09 - Heineken Cup, r1: Five-star Stade
Toulousain turn on the style against toothless Sharks
10.10.09 - Heineken Cup, r1: Treviso stun Perpignan; Stade Francais,
Biarritz and Clermont win
10.10.09 - Top 14: Bayonne go fly (half) fishing
with Hook; Tuqiri's uncertain future
10.10.09 - ACC, r1 review: Montpellier, Montauban and Toulon win away
as Top 14 clubs flourish
09.10.09 - Heineken Cup, r1 preview: French sides
out to make amends for last season's failures
09.10.09 -
Ollie Phillips exclusive:
'Stade Francais is a massive club and it demands massive
results'
08.10.09 - ACC, r1 preview: Opportunity knocks as
French clubs rotate playing squads
07.10.09 - Joe (El Abd) Blogs:
'I keep telling them Rovigo is not Rome, but they're still excited'
06.10.09 - Heineken Cup: Rougerie admits Clermont
must be 'more British' to succeed
06.10.09 - Top 14: Napolioni Nalaga named Player of the
Year; Montpellier coaches face possible sack
05.10.09 - Heineken Cup:
All eyes turn to Europe as French clubs seek 'H-Cup'
redemption
04.10.09 - Top 14: Biarritz Basque in league
glory after down champs Perpignan
04.10.09 - Top 14, r9: Clermont dispatch Bayonne to
reclaim lead; In-form Castres up to second
02.10.09 - Top 14: Haskell scores as Stade put Brive to the sword
in front of England's Johnson
01.10.09 - Top 14, r9 preview - England coaches jet in
to watch Stade Francais-Brive clash in Paris
30.09.09 - International: French target Williams
and Gasnier; Bastareaud escapes ban
30.09.09 - Heineken Cup:
Triple injury blow for Stade Francais; Stade Toulousain eye
revenge
29.09.09 - Top 14: Castres Olympique climb to third spot after
beating SCA Albi 25-21 in the Tarn derby
28.09.09 - Top 14: Pin-up Haskell shows balls; Tuqiri claims Toulon are
interested
28.09.09 -
Joe (El Abd) Blogs:
The three-part conundrum of winning away in France's Top 14
28.09.09 - ProD2, r5: Agen beat Grenoble to claim top
spot; Provence get first victory
26.09.09 - Top 14, r8: Perpignan sink Clermont again;
Toulouse held at home; Biarritz up to third
25.09.09 - Top 14: Goode news at last for Brive; Seventh time lucky for
SCA Albi
25.09.09 - Top 14, r8 preview - Bragging rights for
grabs as French league readies for titanic weekend
24.09.09 - Top 14: Andrew voices French
concerns (again) after Flutey injury
23.09.09 - Top 14: French clubs fishing
for Hook; Steyn ready his for Racing adventure
22.09.09 -
Joe Blogs:
'There's more to Jonny than just kicking - his defence kept us in the match'
21.09.09 -
Steve Thompson column:
'It's a results-based business, but there's no need to panic
yet'
21.09.09 - Top 14: Brive forced to apologize after fan
threatens ref; Wilko revels in the spotlight
20.09.09 - Top 14, r7: Brive 10th after
wins for Bayonne, Perpignan and Castres
20.09.09 - Top 14: 18-point Wilkinson kicks Toulon to "special"
victory against Stade Toulousian
20.09.09 - ProD2, r4: Grenoble take
outright lead; Dax and Agen both win away
19.09.09 - Top 14, r7: Six-try Clermont demolish Albi;
Stade Francais and Biarritz both win again
18.09.09 - Top 14, r7 preview - Wilkinson ready for
Toulon's showdown with Stade Toulousain
17.09.09 - Top 14:
Toulouse's mounting injury crisis; 'Misunderstood' Tuqiri still hopeful of
deal
17.09.09 - Top 14: Contrite Kelleher
apologizes for "stupid mistake" fuelled by drink
16.09.09 - Top 14: Courageous Castres
battle back to snatch draw at Montauban
14.09.09 - Top 14: Flutey out for three
months; Bayonne break off talks with Tuqiri
14.09.09 -
Joe Bloggs:
Lesson number one - 'Pas de melee, pas de victoire'
13.09.09 - ProD2, r3 review: RC
Narbonne, Grenoble and Lyon OU all win again
13.09.09 - Top 14: 'Rocket launcher'
Steyn set to jet into Paris after Tri-Nations heroics
12.09.09 - Top 14, r6: Haskell scores again as
Stade Francais start Delmas era with emphatic win
12.09.09 - Top 14: Kelleher held in
police custody after late night car crash
11.09.09 - Top 14:
Cash-strapped Bourgoin hit the jackpot by downing champions Perpignan
11.09.09 -
Paul Dearlove column:
The down sides to being a pro rugby player
11.09.09 - Top 14: Stade Francais - the
truth emerges after McKenzie sacking
11.09.09 - Top 14: Double blow for Brive
as Flutey and Goode face more surgery
11.09.09 - Top 14, r6 preview - Blanco comments add
further spice to Basque derby, in north Spain
08.09.09 -
Joe Blogs: 'The
money's good, but so is the weather, the rugby and the amazing crowds'
08.09.09 - ProD2, round two review:
Grenoble and RC Narbonne share the early lead
06.09.09 - Top 14, r5: Stade Francais crash to defeat in Biarritz;
Castres win again
05.09.09 - Top 14, r5 preview: Toulouse and Clermont go toe-to-toe;
Wilko rested
05.09.09 -
Ollie Phillips interview: 'There's
absolutely no reason why we can't beat anyone in Top 14'
02.09.09 - Top 14: Sparky Kelleher rescues sloppy Stade Toulousain
02.09.09 - Top 14, round 4 review: Toulon and Toulouse
share top spot as Stade Francais crash again
02.09.09 - Top 14: Crisis club Bourgoin saved from the abyss by new
rescue deal
01.09.09 - Top 14, r4 preview - Showdown at the Mayol as
Wilkinson goes head-to-head with James
31.08.09 - ProD2, r1 review: Relegated Dax and Mont-de-Marsan start
with home wins
29.08.09 - Top 14, r3 review: Wilkinson's boot fires
Toulon up to third; Perpignan beat Toulouse
29.08.09 - Top 14, round 3 review: Perpignan hang on to
beat Stade Toulousain; Clermont go top
29.08.09 - Top 14:
Honours even as Brive are held 9-9 at home by derby rivals Clermont Auvergne
27.08.09 - Top 14, r3 preview: All eyes on the champions as Toulouse
ride into town
27.08.09 - Top 14: Bourgoin could go belly-up after collapse of rescue
package
27.08.09 -
Paul Dearlove's exclusive column:
'Bloodgate'
- "Most players thought it was a good idea"
26.08.09 - Top 14: 'Swine Flu' hits Stade Francais and Bayonne; Medard
out for a month
26.08.09 - Top 14: Tuqiri ponders
Bayonne offer; Jeanjean nears Leicester Tigers deal
26.08.09 -
Shaun
Perry interview: 'I
would love to pull on the England shirt again and sing the anthem'
24.08.09 - Top 14: Habana set for
Stormers after Toulon refuse to increase their offer
23.08.09 -
Riki Flutey interview:
'Playing for England was huge, but the Lions was something else'
22.08.09 - Top 14, round 2 review: Stade Toulousain crush Brive;
Montpellier stun Perpignan
22.08.09 - Top 14: Wisniewski to face
'hero' Wilko; Erinle set for Biarritz debut
21.08.09 - Top 14: Stade Francais feel
the pain in Spain as Bayonne record 38-24 win
20.08.09 - Top 14: Round 2 preview - Brive get early
test of play-off credentials at Stade Toulousain
19.08.09 - Top 14: Further details emerge of proposed
Bourgoin-Lyon merger; Pau hit by DNACG
19.08.09 - Top 14: Michalak ruled out of
Brive clash; Clermont injury list mounts
17.08.09 - Top 14: Habana and Fourie still in French
spotlight; Elissalde gets hot under the collar
17.08.09 - Top 14: Bourgoin president Flamand resigns as
merger with Lyon OU draws ever nearer
15.08.09 - Brive lead Top 14 after as Thompson try helps
them to bonus point win against Montpellier
15.08.09 - Top 14: DNACG block 14 Bourgoin player
licences as big three all win on opening day
14.08.09 - Top 14: Wilkinson kicks 17 points on debut but Stade
Francais hold Toulon to a draw
14.08.09 - Top 14: 'Fans revere
Wilkinson like a modern-day Saint' says Skeate
13.08.09 - Top 14: Zen-like Wilkinson
determined to throw off the shackles
13.08.09 - Top 14: Clermont concede
Fourie defeat: Stade boss McKenzie backs Bastareaud
13.08.09 - Top 14: Round 1 preview - All eyes on
Wilkinson as French rugby prepares to sizzle
12.08.09 - 'Brit pack' set to light up Top 14 after
cross Channel invasion - 2009/10 preview, part I
12.08.09 - 'Brit pack' invasion set to
light up Top 14 - Season preview, Part II
11.08.09 - Top 14: Doussaint injury
deepens fly-half crisis at Stade Toulousain
11.08.09 - Top 14:
Crisis? What crisis? French clubs spend their way out of global credit
crunch
09.08.09 - Top
14: Broken arm rules out Maleli for three months; Harinordoquy to miss
season's start
08.08.09 - Top 14:
Mola defends Brive's English recruitment
policy; Biarritz stun Toulouse
08.08.09 - News: Dusautoir pleads for
Bastareaud leniency; Tuqiri to stay in Australia
07.08.09 - Top 14: Wilkinson puts the boot in as Toulon sink AC
Brumbies to continue winning start
06.08.09 - Top 14: Michalak's injury
boost; Tuqiri set to join Bayonne in 2010/11
06.08.09 - Top 14: Wilkinson to start
against Brumbies; Montpellier tame the Tigers
06.08.09 - News: Bastareaud
could miss 2011 World Cup after FFR predict three year
international ban
05.08.09 - Top 14:
Confusion over Michalak's injury and Bayonne's approach for sacked Wallaby
Tuqiri
03.08.09 - Top 14: Injured Michalak set to miss start of new
season; Ellis quits Brive for the Exiles
02.08.09 - Top 14:
Life's a beach for Bastareaud: Guazzini's 'common dislike'
for Hernandez
02.08.09 - Top 14: Robinson's awe for
'machine' Wilko; La Rochelle sign Brive's Ligairi
01.08.09 - Top 14: Wilkinson
rested
as Toulon win again; Champions Perpignan downed by Brumbies
31.07.09 - Top 14:
Stade
Toulousain face anxious wait; Munster sign Brugnaut, Tigers trial Jeanjean
29.07.09 - Top 14: Clerc epitomizes Toulouse's hunger; Biarritz
and Bayonne begin with victories
29.07.09 - Top 14: Toulon switch venues
after stadium deaths before Madonna gig
29.07.09 - ProD2: Troubled Tarbes unveil new
president and name Mavrodin as their forwards' coach
28.07.09 - Top 14: Provale lays into Toulouse; Noves denies
Habana link; Bastareaud edges back
25.07.09 - Top 14: Wilkinson hits 'em for six as 10,000 watch
Toulon debut in pre-season friendly
24.07.09 - Top 14: All eyes on Wilkinson as England World Cup
hero makes his debut for Toulon
24.08.09 - Heineken Cup: Early season
Sale for three-times champions Toulouse
22.07.09 -
Exclusive: 'Toulon have
one aim this season, qualify for the Heineken Cup' - Ross Skeate
22.07.09 - Top 14: Hernandez slams Stade
Francais on departure; Brive lose Davies and Sheahan
21.07.09 - Top 14:
High Noon at Brive as English back line takes centre stage
21.07.09 - Top 14: Racing to get started
as new recruits add grist to Metro's squad
19.07.09 - News:
Record crowds confirm Top 14's popularity amid plans for foreign expansion
19.07.09 - Top 14: School's out, except
for new recruits; Clermont close in on Fourie
18.07.09 - ProD2: Storm clouds brewing
in Tarbes while local rivals Lannemezan sign 19 new players
15.07.09 - Top 14: England release Wilkinson for Toulon's opening
game of the new season
10.07.09 - Top 14:
Don't be fooled by Toulon president Boudjellal playing down Habana interest
09.07.09 - Top 14:
Wilkinson's Toulon face
Haskell's Stade Francais in tantalising season opener
08.07.09 - News: Toulon release recalled
Wilkinson for England training; Hines joins Leinster
05.07.09 - News:
Hernandez
'agreed' to join Toulon;
Perpignan's Hines close to Leinster switch
03.07.09 - Top 14:
French international Médard
in hospital with 'swine flu'
01.07.09 - News: Bastareaud 'attempted
suicide' by jumping in Paris' River Seine
01.07.09 - News:
Recession hits French rugby - up to 80 players left without
clubs for 2009/10
30.06.09 - News:
Hernandez signs for Natal Sharks; Hill to coach Federale 1
club Chalon-sur-Saone
29.06.09 - News: Parisse banned for
eight weeks; Hernandez considers leaving Stade Francais
29.06.09 - News: Lomu signs for
Marseille; Habana weighs up three French offers
29.06.09 - International: Bastareaud
hospitalized in Paris with 'severe psychological problems'
27.06.09 - International: Giteau
masterclass sinks France; Parisse cited in Italian defeat to
All Blacks
27.06.09 - International: Lying
Bastareaud - More questions than answers after confession
24.06.09 - News:
French rugby rocked by swine
flu; Stade Francais snap up Nottingham's Davies
24.06.09 - News: Tarbes escape
relegation to Federale 1; France ring the changes
23.06.09 - Top 14: DNACG warns 10 clubs;
Injured Skrela out for six months after knee op
23.06.09 - International: Battered
Bastareaud back in France after street assault
23.06.09 - International: France captain
Dusautoir issues 'Les Bleus' rally call
20.06.09 - International: All Blacks
edge out France to level series; Dupuy likely to stay at
Leicester
18.06.09 - News:
Tarbes hope for DNACG
relegation reprieve; Brive's Davies signs for Ospreys
18.06.09 - International: History
beckons for confident France; Gower starts again
16.06.09 - ECC: Racing-Metro draw Wasps;
Wilkinson's Toulon to face Saracens and Castres
16.06.09 - News: Perpignan's Brunel
recovering well; Stade Toulousain beef up; Lannemezan win
Jean-Prat Trophy
16.06.09 - International: All Blacks and
Australia ring the changes; Steyn at full-back
13.06.09 - News: Pumas gain revenge on
England; Gower's baptism of fire
13.06.09 - International: 'Les Bleus'
leave
All Blacks red-faced after stunning 27-22 win in Dunedin
11.06.09 - International: England drop
Haskell for Pumas clash; France debutant Dupuy in dreamland
11.06.09 - Top 14: Bourgoin celebrate
survival with five signings; Albi strengthen too
10.06.09 - News:
Dupuy gets the nod - for
France and Stade Francais; Steyn signs for Racing-Metro
10.06.09 - Heineken Cup: Brive, Stade
Toulousain and Clermont Auvergne handed tough pool draws
09.06.09 - International: Lobbe targets
Pumas' revenge; France looking for an upset
09.06.09 - News:
Stade Francais double their offer for Dupuy; DNACG threaten
to relegate Tarbes
07.06.09 - International: England
looking Goode after convincing win over Argentina
07.06.09 - News:
Clermont's Rougerie, Bonnaire
and Floch pull out of France's summer tour
06.06.09 - Top 14 final: Porical's boot brings
Catalan joy as Perpignan beat Clermont Auvergne
05.06.09 - Top 14 final:
Clermont Auvergne hoping for
10th time lucky against confident Perpignan
05.06.09 - Top 14: Perpignan target
Michalak to replace Carter; Toulon want Habana
04.06.09 - International: Distinct
Gallic flavour to England-Argentina clash at Twickenham
03.06.09 - International: Toulon's May
handed England debut; Bayonne's Gower set for Italy start
03.06.09 - Top 14: Leicester want
improved offer from Stade Francais for Dupuy
02.06.09 - News: Collins tells Australian press
to 'lay off' SBW; Marshall calls for Barbarians to play the
All Blacks
01.06.09 - News:
Phillips named as IRB's
Sevens Player of Year; SBW relishing Wallaby challenge
01.06.09 - News: Lannemezan and
Aix-en-Provence promoted to ProD2
31.05.09 - News:
SCA Albi promoted back to Top
14 after play-off win; Balshaw double sinks England
30.05.09 - Top 14 play-offs:
Perpignan set up final clash
with Clermont after seeing off Stade Francais
30.05.09 - News: Bourgoin's Frier cited
for final punch; SBW happy to stay in France
29.05.09 - Top 14 play-offs:
Champions dethroned as
Clermont Auvergne beat Stade Toulousain
29.05.09 - Top 14: Everything Toulouse -
Defending champs out to break Clermont hearts, again
28.05.09 - News: Ooh la la...Wilko
charms Toulon with French polish; SBW lands knockout blow
27.09.05 -
Byron Kelleher
interview:
'Winning is not enough for us
- we like to win with flair'
27.05.09 - News:
England name five
France-based players; Wilkinson mania erupts in Toulon
26.05.09 - News: Wilko expected in
Toulon on Wednesday; Injuries force France to make three
changes
26.05.09 - Top 14: Stade Toulousain's Michalak
linked with possible move to Bayonne or Leinster
24.05.09 - ProD2 play-off: Unheralded
Oyonnax one match from Top 14 after shock win at Agen
23.05.09 - News: Parra doubtful for
France's summer tour; SCA Albi reach ProD2 play-off final
22.05.09 - ECC: Brive joy as Myler kicks
Northampton Saints to victory over Bourgoin
22.05.09 - ProD2 play-off preview: SU
Agen favourites to join Racing in Top 14
22.05.09 - ECC final preview: Relaxed
Bourgoin up for the Challenge as Brive and Wasps look on
21.05.09 - Top 14: Boudjellal explains Wilko
'fantasy'; SBW back in Oz to make pro boxing debut
21.05.09 - News: Thompson relishes
England recall; Five ProD2 players in France 'A' squad
20.05.09 - Top 14:
England internationals Noon
and Perry among four new signings for Brive
19.05.09 - News: Three Brive players in
England squad as Thompson gets a recall
19.05.09 - International: Dupuy set for
French call up; Gower gets nod for Italian job
19.05.09 - Top 14:
Wilkinson admits 'feeling
like a kid again' after signing with French club Toulon
18.05.09 - Top 14: Toulon president Boudjellal
confirms signing of England fly-half Wilkinson
18.05.09 - Top 14:
It's official - England
fly-half Wilkinson agrees two-year deal with Toulon
17.05.09 - ProD2: SU Agen, SCA Albi, Oyonnax and
La Rochelle in promotion play-offs for Top 14
16.05.09 - Top 14, round 26: Biarritz
seal Heineken qualification, but Brive are left dangling
14.05.09 - Top 14, round 26 preview:
Biarritz, Bayonne and Brive battle for Heineken Cup
qualification
14.05.09 -
Exclusive:
Ross Skeate - 'Wilkinson would bring vast experience an
quality to Toulon'
13.05.09 - News: Bayonne's Gower set for
Italian job; Toulon's Koyamaibole joins Sale
12.05.09 - News:
Dupuy's French switch moves nearer as Tigers begin the
search for a replacement
10.05.09 - Top 14: Biarritz win in Paris
to near qualification for the Heineken Cup
10.05.09 -
Feature:
Not Toulon now - France holds its breath for the arrival of
Jonny Wilkinson
10.05.09 - Top 14: Collins quits Toulon
as Ospreys swoop for former All Black
09.05.09 - Top 14, round 25: Bourgoin
win sends Dax down; Brive revive their Heineken hopes
08.05.09 - Top 14: Dax your lot, almost - Toulon
secure status to leave Dax teetering on the edge
08.05.09 - Top 14 preview: Four-way
battle for survival between Dax, Toulon, Bourgoin and
Castres
07.05.09 -
Paul Dearlove's exclusive column:
The merry
pranksters of ProD2's Section Paloise
07.05.09 - ECC: Bourgoin's final venue
switched to London after ERC backs down
07.05.09 - Top 14: England sevens captain Phillips signs
for Stade Francais;
Johnston joins Toulouse
06.05.09 - Top 14: Stale Nallet denies
'mercenary' claims and explains move to Racing-Metro 92
06.05.09 - ECC: Revol laments
'scandalous' final decision and denies LNR was consulted
05.05.09 - News: Irate Bourgoin demand
EEC final venue switch; Injured Racing target Steyn out for
weeks
04.05.09 - Top 14: Leicester's French
scrum-half Dupuy set to sign for Stade Francais; Robinson
relishing Toulon challenge
04.05.09 - Top 14:
Newcastle and England centre Noon
joins the mounting British exodus to France
03.05.09 - ProD2: Tarbes and Pau fall from
reckoning as the race for promotion goes to the wire
02.05.09 - ECC: Bourgoin Parra-glide
into final after 22-11 home win against Worcester Warriors
01.05.09 - ProD2, Round 29 preview: Who
will join Racing-Metro 92 in Top 14 next season?
01.05.09 - News: Bourgoin target Heineken
refreshment; Want-away Dupuy starts for Leicester Tigers
01.05.09 - Top 14: The great
British exodus - the story so far...
01.05.9 - Top 14: Saint-André
- 'I do not want to be a mere pawn'; Munster's Sheahan to
join Brive
30.04.09 - Top 14: Munster's Ryan signs
for Toulon as worried Andrew issues yet more threats
29.04.09 - Top 14: Chabal and Nallet
lock in to Racing Metro's dream for fast track to success
29.04.09 - Top 14: Racing
president Lorenzetti gets shirty with Stade Francais; Hines
snubs Perpignan for the Lions
29.04.09 - Top 14: England fly-half
Wilkinson
expected to sign for Toulon
after Dax match on May 8
28.04.09 - Top 14:
Scots Southwell and Lamont sign up for French duty; Dupuy
still intent on leaving
26.04.09 -
Feature:
Racing to the Top - a closer look at ProD2 Champions
Racing-Metro 92
26.04.09 - ProD2: Racing-Metro promoted to Top
14; Beziers relegated to Federal 1
26.04.09 - Top 14: England full-back Balshaw
signs for Biarritz as French player-drain continues
25.04.09 - Top 14:
Perpignan beat Clermont Auvergne to stay top; Mont-de-Marsan
relegated
24.04.09 - Top 14: Late Bastareaud try earns
stuttering Stade Francais away win
24.04.09 - Top 14, round 24 preview: All
to play for as the French season draws to its climax
24.04.09 - Top 14: England scrum-half Perry
latest to join the French player drain
24.04.9 - Top 14: Tributes pour in for "warrior
leader" Pelous after retirement confirmation
24.04.09 -
Paul Dearlove's
exclusive column:
Only four British and Irish Lions would get into my
World XV
23.04.09 - Top 14: France and Stade
Toulousain legend Pelous confirms retirement at end of
season
22.04.09 - News: Perpignan's
Hines joins history man Flutey as Lions name 'beasts' for South Africa
tour
21.04.09 - Top 14:
Battered Bourgoin braced for bumpy ride as financial crisis
unravels
21.04.09 - Top 14: Balshaw in talks with Biarritz
as British exodus to France turns into a torrent
20.04.09 - Top 14: LNR and FFR on collision course; Galthie for
Montpellier?
20.04.09 - Top 14:
Newcastle's Noon and May to
follow Wilkinson across the Channel to Top 14
19.04.09 - ProD2: Racing Metro '92 one win from
confirming promotion to Top 14
19.04.09 - 'Imposters' Toulon turn Top 14 on its
head after a bizarre weekend of league action
18.04.09 - Top 14:
Toulon stun Toulouse, as Clermont batter Brive and Bayonne
destroy Bourgoin
17.04.09 - Top 14: Biarritz maintain Heineken
hopes with win against Perpignan
17.04.09 - Top 14: Wilkinson's Toulon switch
nears completion as contract details are sorted
16.04.09 - Top 14, round 23 preview:
Brive look to bounce back; 60,000 expected at Toulon
15.04.09 - Top 14: Saracens veteran Chesney signs
for Toulon; Ouedraogo extends with Montpellier
14.04.09 - News:
Heineken hero Dupuy told to
stay at Leicester; Buoyant Bourgoin relish victory
13.04.09 - ProD2, round 26: Racing and Agen win
again; Bourg-en-Bresse dent Pau's fading play-off hopes
11.04.09 - Heineken Cup:
Noves rails against the referee after Cardiff defeat gives
Toulouse the Blues
10.04.09 - Heineken Cup preview:
Time to get serious as Stade Toulousain travel to take on
Cardiff
10.04.09 -
Paul Dearlove's exclusive column:
Opinions and a***holes - Stop giving the ELVs a bum deal
09.04.09 - ECC: Oh brother! Bourgoin hang on for
shock win against London Irish
09.04.09 - European Challenge Cup preview: Brive and Bourgoin
all set for quarter-final ties
08.04.09 - Top 14:
Wilkinson close to Toulon deal; Haskell committed to Stade
Francais switch
06.04.09 - News:
Reports claim Haskell
set to snub Stade Francais;
Skrela doubtful for Cardiff clash05.04.09
- ProD2: Agen hang on to make ground as
Racing Metro and SCA Albi lose
05.04.09 - Top 14: Pivotal weekend sees
all but the final pieces of the season's jigsaw fall into
place
04.04.09 - Top 14:
Toulouse smash Brive; Clermont stun
Stade Francais; Biarritz reclaim Basque pride
04.04.09 - News: Sunny days ahead for
Saint-André;
'Hated' Haskell has no regrets
03.04.09 - ProD2: FC Auch Gers "99%" certain to
go bankrupt as rescue deal fails
03.04.09 - Top 14:
Five-try Bourgoin condemn doomed Dax to 10th straight defeat
03.04.09 - Top 14, round 22 preview:
A weekend of mighty clashes as the season's end draws in
03.04.09 - Top 14: France's velvet
'Revol'ution - Salary cap and overseas player quotas
confirmed by LNR
02.04.09 -
Exclusive:
Brive
CEO Simon Gillham - 'All
these people giving us s**t doesn’t matter'
01.04.09 - Crunch time for Stade Toulousain trio
in fitness race for Heineken Cup
01.04.09 - News: Ibanez to coach?
Ouedraogo commits to Montpellier, sort of...
01.04.09 -
Exclusive interview:
CEO Simon Gillham on the secrets behind Brive's French
success
31.03.09 - Top 14: Carter to stay in
France until June; Biarritz get ready for crucial Basque
derby
30.03.09 - News: Collins and Betsen
selected for Barbarians; All Blacks confirm SBW interest
29.03.09 - Top 14: Stade Toulousain win
bragging rights and return to the top after 15-11 win
28.03.09 - Top 14:
Perpignan go top after late Marty try; Brive beat Bayonne to
continue run
27.03.09 - Top 14:
Henjak's ill-discipline costs Toulon dear as Castres record
crucial home win
27.03.09 - Top 14 - Round 21 Preview:
Heavyweight clash dominates weekend fixtures in France
26.03.09 -
Paul Dearlove's exclusive column:
Home truths, and the struggle to perform when playing away
25.03.09 - News:
Kelleher on the comeback
trail as Stade Toulousain target Heineken Cup glory
24.03.09 - News: Glasgow's Henderson signs on
with Montauban; Steyn expected at Racing Metro
23.03.09 - Six Nations:
Seven-try Italian job only
serves to highlight French inconsistencies
22.03.09 - ProD2 round 24:
Pau and Oyonnax slip up, Lyon
push for a play-off berth
21.03.09 - Top 14:
Brive clear the decks as
rebuilding process continues; ALFD issues drug warning
21.03.09 - Top 14: Injured
Skeate staying at Toulon; Williams extends and Lobbe to join
20.03.09 - Six Nations:
Nervous French seek gladiator spirit for Roman redemption
against Italy
19.03.09 - Six Nations - Furious
Lièvremont offers Rome redemption for humiliated French
19.03.09 - News:
Players' union seeks legal advice over RFU's warning letter
to England squad
18.03.09 - Top 14: Cohen set for Sale as Brive
winger reunites with former England colleague
17.03.09 - Top 14: Is
Haskell having French doubts? Lamont wings in for Brive
talks
17.03.09 - Six Nations:
Lièvremont calls up Michalak
for the first time after Tillous-Borde injury
16.03.09 - ProD2:
SCA Albi beat Oyonnax; Agen up to
third after last-gasp victory
16.03.09 - Six Nations: Dusautoir - 'It
makes you weep... it was complete humiliation'
15.03.09 - Six Nations:
Five-star England send feeble France packing in Twickenham
humiliation
15.03.09 - Top 14:
Wilko's French switch on the
cards after weekend talks with Boudjellal in Toulon
14.03.09 - Top 14:
Michalak keeps Stade Toulouse top; Impeccable James
continues Clermont run
14.03.09 - Top 14: Toulon
complete Contepomi signing,
with Wilkinson poised for weekend talks
13.03.09 - Top 14: Stade Francais move top
despite going down to Montauban
13.03.09 - Top 14 preview: Time running out as
the spectre of relegation looms large
13.03.09 -
Paul Dearlove's exclusive column:
A week in the life of a professional rugby player
12.03.09 - Top 14: Williams set to extend as Saint-Andre
prepares to meet the Toulon players
12.03.09 - Six Nations: 'Versatile' Chabal at flanker as
Lièvremont beefs up for England
12.03.09 - News:
Stade Toulousain's Kelleher
hints at possible comeback for the All Blacks
10.03.09 - News:
Lamb lined up by Racing Metro
in place of Wilkinson; Toulon target Contepomi
10.03.09 - News: Picamoles recall ends Chabal switch;
Sevens boost for 'Olympic dream'
08.03.09 - ProD2: Racing halt Pau's surge;
Oyonnax to third after beating Beziers
07.03.09 - Top 14, round 19:
Tight at the top as Stade Francais and Perpignan close on
Toulouse
06.03.09 - Top 14: Perpignan
thrash weakened Stade Toulousain to cut the gap to just one
point
06.03.09 - News: Toulon favourites to land 'Wilko';
Top 14 stars shine in Dubai
06.03.09 -
Paul Dearlove's exclusive column:
Me and my 'lucky undies';
The value of superstitions
05.03.09 - Top 14, round 19 preview:
Catalan pride demands Perpignan victory over Toulouse
05.03.09 - Top 14: Toulon sign Welsh
international Robinson; van Niekerk extends stay
05.03.09 - Six Nations:
Tinkering Lièvremont rings
the changes for England and Italy games
03.03.09 - News: Injury scuppers Elissalde's
recall; Fiji bring out the big guns
03.03.09 - News: Sale's French prop Faure signs
for Clermont; Wilkinson to stay put?
03.03.09 - Top 14: Crisis-riddled Montpellier
sack coaches Nourault and Hyardet
01.03.09 - ProD2: Pau beat Oyonnax to climb to
third, while Racing Metro surge on
28.02.09 - Top 14, round 18 review:
In-form Brive send depleted Stade Francais crashing
27.02.09 - Top 14:
Revived Toulon take five thanks to vital away win
at Bourgoin
27.02.09 - Six Nations:
French joy after thrilling victory crushes Welsh hopes of
another Grand Slam
27.02.09 - Six Nations:
France out to defy the odds
as confident Wales seek record-equalling win
27.02.09 - Top 14, round 18: All to play for as
international calls deplete the top two
26.02.09 - News: RFU and Johnson issue
'get tough' policy to players moving to France... sort of
25.02.09 - Six Nations: Lièvremont makes
five changes, with Baby a surprise choice at fly-half
24.02.09 - Six Nations: France call up Bastareaud
and Trinh-Duc; Wales name Williams and Henson
23.02.09 -
Interview:
Steve Thompson - 'I really harbour hopes to stay in France
when I finish playing'
23.02.09 - ProD2 round 20: Racing Metro '92 power
on while SU Agen lose ground
22.02.09 - ProD2: Pau battle back to defeat La
Rochelle and move up to fourth spot
22.02.09 - Top 14:
Business as usual as Stade Toulousain beat Clermont Auvergne
to move top again
22.02.09 - Transfer news: Up for grabs - Wales and
Scotland now feel the power of the French
21.02.09 - Top 14, round 17 review:
Castres climb clear as Toulon slip into the bottom two
20.02.09 - Top 14: Umaga's return unable
to stop Stade Francais from reclaiming top spot
20.02.09 - Top 14, round 17 preview: Umaga set
for Paris showdown; Toulouse seek winning return
19.02.09 -
Paul Dearlove's exclusive column:
Drugs in rugby - Part II:
The 'recreational' debate
18.02.09 -
Comment:
Hypocrisy abounds after French plunderers give English rugby
a reality check
18.02.09 - Former France captain Ibanez retires;
Haskell denies money was motivation
18.02.09 - Top 14: Gasnier versus SBW
as Stade Francais head for Toulon showdown
17.02.09 - Six Nations:
More front row injury problems as prop Mas is ruled out
17.02.09 - Racing Metro confirm their interest in
Wilkinson, Chabal, Nallet and Steyn
17.02.09 - News: Wasps stung by triple
defection as Haskell, Palmer and Flutey head for France
15.02.09 - ProD2: Racing beat Agen to move 10
points clear; Aurillac's slump goes on
14.02.09 - Six Nations:
Nervy France fumble their lines on Valentine's date with
Scotland in Paris
13.02.09 -
Interview:
Brive's Welsh international Davies looks ahead to England
clash
13.02.09 - Six Nations: Victory is
imperative as France seek to bounce back against Scotland
12.02.09 -
Paul Dearlove's exclusive column:
Drugs in rugby - Part I:
Performance enhancing
11.02.09 - Six Nations:
Dusautoir asks for patience as France seek to add substance
to style
10.02.09 - Six Nations:
Lièvremont
rings the changes for Scotland; Fritz cited for eye-gouging
09.02.09 - ProD2: Racing extend lead as rivals
stumble; Bourg pull off shock victory
08.02.09 - Six Nations:
Lièvremont "extremely disappointed" after Ireland defeat
08.02.09 - Six Nations:
Ireland gain revenge as French mistakes prove costly at
Croke Park
07.02.09 - News:
Perpignan sign Mieres to replace Carter; Van Niekerk extends
with Toulon
06.02.09 - News:
Gloucester's Balshaw agrees to join French club Racing Metro '92
06.02.09 - Six Nations
preview: A new dawn beckons for Marc Lièvremont's youthful
French squad
05.02.09 -
Paul Dearlove's exclusive
weekly column:
Are 'les
etrangers'
good for French rugby?
04.02.09 - Six Nations: Lièvremont happy with
selection; Nallet targets victory
04.02.09 - International: England look for the
Goode times as they turn to Brive's fly-half
04.02.09 - News: Seven French clubs
questioned in agent payments scandal; Toulon target Azam
02.02.09 - News: Triple injury boost for France;
Senio to replace his brother at Clermont Auvergne
02.02.09 - ProD2 round 18: Racing win again but
SU Agen lose ground after defeat at Oyonnax
01.02.09 - Top 14: Injury rules Carter out for
the season; Toulouse's Kelleher sidelined for six weeks
31.01.09 - Top 14, round 16 review:
Toulouse slip up at Biarritz; Perpignan hold Stade Francais
30.01.09 - Top 14: Five-try Toulon run
Mont-de-Marsan ragged in relegation battle
30.01.09 - Top 14, round 16 preview:
Umaga centre of attention; Stade looking for capital gains
29.01.09 - France drop Elissalde and recall
Harinordoquy; Umaga set to play
28.01.09 - International: Chabal targets World
Cup; Lièvremont calls up Trinh-Duc
28.01.09 - Top 14: Toulouse's Noves sparks club
versus country row; Carter resumes training
28.01.09 -
Paul Dearlove's exclusive
column:
Do the French deserve
their reputation for foul play? - Part II
27.01.09 - ProD2: Tempers flare as La Rochelle
beat leaders Racing Metro '92
26.01.09 - Top 14: Saint-Andre takes
over at Toulon, with Umaga set for shock playing comeback
25.01.09 - Heineken Cup, round six: Toulouse stay
afloat in mud-Bath stalemate; Castres sting Wasps
24.01.09 - Heineken Cup: Clermont
Auvergne and Perpignan sent packing on stormy Saturday
24.01.09 - Heineken Cup: Yachvili on song as
Biarritz send Gloucester crashing out
23.01.09 - News: Toulouse beckons for David and
Picamoles; FC Auch Gers saved
23.01.09 - Heineken Cup, round six
preview: Top-drawer Toulouse go in search of the ultimate
high
23.01.09 - European Challenge Cup: Brive easy -
Top 14 side progress to quarter-final
22.01.09 - Top 14: Saint-Andre set to be
unveiled by Toulon on Monday; Clermont eye Cusiter
22.01.09 - International: Michalak vows to win
his place back after being overlooked
22.01.09 - European Challenge Cup, round six
preview: Brive seek quarterfinal berth
21.01.09 - News:
French international Parra
signs for Clermont; Bath hit by Stevens' drug ban
19.01.09 - News:
Wilkinson tipped to join ambitious
French club Racing Metro
19.01.09 - Heineken Cup: 'Flop 14' - The
inquest begins after a miserable weekend for French clubs
18.01.09 - ProD2: Racing Metro 92 pull clear as
La Rochelle stumble at Oyonnax
18.01.09 - Heineken Cup: More French misery as
Stade Francais crash out after defeat by Scarlets
17.01.09 - Heineken Cup: Unfancied Glasgow stun
tournament favourites Stade Toulousain
17.01.09 - Racing Metro confirm Chabal
interest;
Montauban ease financial worries
16.01.09 - Heineken Cup: Clermont's seven tries
prove in vain as Munster sweep into the last eight
15.01.09 - Top 14: Former All-Black
Marshall quits Montpellier for Saracens
15.01.09 -
Paul Dearlove's column:
Do the French deserve their
reputations for foul play?
15.01.09 - Heineken Cup, round five
preview: Crunch time for Stade Francais and Perpignan
14.01.09 - Top 14:
Montpellier's Deffins
blames financial problems for his sudden resignation
14.01.09 - Top 14: Montpellier
president Deffins
resigns after less than a month at the helm
13.01.09 - A tale of three All Blacks:
Carter and Collins injured; Marshall reinstated by
Montpellier
12.01.09 - News: Perigueux player Latu
dies after heart attack; IRB to investigate the Tincu affair
12.01.09 - ProD2: La Rochelle up to second as
Racing Metro and Agen are frozen out
10.01.09 - Top 14, round 15: Biarritz win at
last; Catalan concern for crocked All Black star Carter
09.01.09 - Top 14 - Kunavore's try seals a
record-breaking night for Toulouse
09.01.09 - Hill keen on French challenge;
Laporte to shut door on foreigners?
08.01.09 - Top 14: Sale flanker White signs for
French side Clermont Auvergne
08.01.09 - Top 14: Round 15 Preview - The icy
chill of relegation looms large
08.01.09 -
Paul Dearlove's exclusive
column:
Is
professional rugby going to be credit crunched?
07.01.09 - News: Pro D2’s FC Auch Gers
facing potential bankruptcy; Toulon’s troubles
continue
05.01.09 - Top 14: Battered and bloody - Clubs
count the cost of a brutal weekend
05.12.09 - Top 14: The attraction of signing up
for France's burgeoning Foreign Legion
03.01.09 - Top 14, round 14: Perfect 10 for
Toulouse, but Biarritz Olympique and Toulon lose again
03.01.09 - Top 14: Bayonne mourn singer Mixu’s
death; French clubs line up English starlet Cipriani
02.01.09 - Top 14 - Bayonne pay the
penalty for late misses as Castres hang on for vital draw
01.01.09 - Top 14 - Round 14 Preview
29.12.09 - IRB to investigate Tincu affair after
Perpignan hooker plays in Top 14
29.12.08 - Top 14:
Chabal weighing up his
options; Injuries force Garbajosa into retirement
21.12.08 - ProD2 round 14:
Racing
Metro stretch their lead as Aurillac lose at Auch
20.12.08 - Top 14, round 13: Toulouse and Stade
Francais with the bonus; Toulon in disarray
20.12.08 - Top 14: Rougerie double hands
Clermont a rare away win
20.12.08 - Top 14:
Banned Tincu allowed to play in France;
Roncero finally grounded
19.12.08 - Top 14 - Round 13 Preview: Carter set
for league debut with Perpignan
18.12.08 - Top 14: McAlister tipped to
join Saint-Andre and Chabal at Toulon
18.12.08 -
Paul Dearlove's exclusive
column:
When two tribes go to war - The local derby
17.12.08 - Top 14:
White departs early from Toulon;
Toulouse's Servat signs for three more years
16.12.08 - Top 14: Mixed news for
Toulouse; Blanco lays down the law at struggling
Biarritz
15.12.08 - ProD2, round 13:
Racing Metro ’92 stay top as SU Agen
build momentum
15.12.08 - Heineken Cup –
Confident Carter kick-starts his
Perpignan career with a crucial victory
14.12.08 - Heineken Cup – Toulouse
stroll on; Last-gasp agony for Clermont and Stade
Francais
13.12.08 - Heineken Cup: Castres stun leaders
Leinster at the Stade Pierre Antoine
12.12.08 -
Interview:
Ben Cohen - Time to Brive
12.12.08 - News: Rougerie out of Munster
clash; Dax crash to London Irish again
11.12.08 - Top 14: Tincu’s
ban upheld by LNR; Toulon target Wallaby flanker
Smith
11.12.08 - Heineken Cup: Round four
preview - All eyes on Perpignan's Carter
11.12.08 -
Paul Dearlove's
exclusive column: The
game they play in heaven but who is playing God?
10.12.08 - Heineken Cup: Carter’s arrival
raises expectation levels at Perpignan
10.12.08 - Top 14: Toulon welcome White,
not Habana; Castres confirm coaching shake-up
09.12.08 -
Exclusive:
Ross Skeate - Locked on for
Toulon success
08.12.08 - Top 14:
Nallet and Tillous-Borde set
for Castres exit; Wallaby Giteau staying put
07.12.08 - ProD2 round 12:
Top three lose as Racing Metro '92
reclaim top spot
07.12.08 - Heineken Cup:
James the hero as Clermont Auvergne
beat champions Munster again
06.12.08 - Heineken Cup: Imperious
Toulouse slay Dragons; Stade Francais get stage
fright
06.12.08 - Heineken Cup: Unlucky Biarritz
fall to narrow defeat; Montauban devoured by Sharks
05.12.08 - Heineken Cup – Round three
preview
05.12.08 -
The
Unknown Soldier
- Life as a journeyman professional in France's
ProD2
03.12.08 - Bourgoin’s Romer resigns; Cecillon
sentenced and Saint-Andre quits Sale
03.12.08 - Heineken Cup – Stade Francais set for
record crowd; Toulouse look to extend winning run
03.12.08 - What makes Stade Toulousain so
special? Our special correspondent investigates
02.12.08 - Top 14:
ARU to tempt Giteau with captaincy; Toulouse
without Skrela and Elissalde
01.12.08 - ProD2 round 11: Aurillac
recover against Grenoble to win and stay top
01.12.08 - Top 14: Giteau tempted by huge Bayonne
offer; Carter ready for Perpignan adventure
29.11.08 - Top 14, round 12: Shocks aplenty as
the relegation battle hots up
29.11.08 - Top 14: Rumour and denial as Giteau is
linked with a £4.25m deal with Bayonne
29.11.08 - Top 14: Too good Toulouse throw down
the championship gauntlet
28.11.08 - Top 14 - Round 12 Preview
28.11.08 - Top 14: Giteau wants to play in
France; Biarritz replace Delmas with Gonzalez
27.11.08 - Top 14: Toulon president Boudjellal
admits Henry was on his hit list
26.11.08 - Top 14: Toulon turn to Jake White;
Toulouse prepare for top-two clash
25.11.08 - Top 14: The scramble for Chabal
24.11.08 - Springbok Habana wants to play in Top
14; Williams wins IRB Player of the Year award
24.11.08 - International: Skrela takes “100 per
cent” blame for Aussie defeat
23.11.08 - International:
Skrela’s nightmare hands Aussies a narrow Paris win
23.11.08 - Top 14, round 11: Bayonne win
again to keep the pressure on Toulouse
22.11.08 - Top 14: Seven Up for Toulouse;
Stade Francais end three-match losing run
21.11.08 - Top 14 - Round 11 Preview
20.11.08 - McKenzie lavishes praise on Gasnier;
Picamoles out for Australian revenge
19.11.08 -
Exclusive: Interview with
International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset, Part
III
19.11.08 - International: Chabal and
Tillous-Borde in France’s starting XV against Australia
18.11.08 - International: France call up Tomas
for injured scrum-half Elissalde
18.11.08 - Top 14: Montpellier pay the price for
weekend victory over Stade Francais
17.11.08 - ProD2 round-up: Aurillac reclaim the
lead; Bourg stay bottom despite win
16.11.08 - Top 14: Michalak off target as
Toulouse struggle; Perpignan move up to second
15.11.08 - Top 14: Stade Francais slump continues
with third successive league defeat
15.11.08 - Top 14: Perpignan threaten court
action After Tincu’s 18-week ban is upheld
14.10.08 - Top 14 - Round 10 Preview
13.11.08 - Tincu awaits appeal decision;
Lièvremont makes three changes to face Pacific Islanders
11.11.08 - Top 14: Biarritz manager Darrieumerlou
is replaced by former forwards coach Rodriguez
09.11.08 - ProD2, round 9: Racing regain lead
after Aurillac defeat Stade Rochelais
09.11.08 - International: France give
Argentina the boot as ‘Les Bleus’ win ugly in Marseille
07.11.08 - Top 14: Leota banned for 30
days; Sonny ‘Bill’ Williams back in training
07.11.08 - International: Lièvremont and
Heymans vow to set the record straight against Argentina
06.11.08 - Top 14: Perpignan threaten
Heineken Cup pull out; Roncero banned for 30 days
06.11.08 - Top 14: Mourad Boudjellal:
‘Tana Umaga to be sacked if Toulon are relegated’
05.11.08 - Top 14: Toulon players
threaten strike action; Perpignan outraged by Tincu’s
18-week ban
05.11.08 - International: Médard wins
first cap; Lièvremont praises rival Galthie
03.11.08 - Top 14: Turmoil in Toulon as
John Connolly is called in by president Mourad Boudjellal
03.11.08 - International: France add
Skrela and Traille; Carter aims for ‘Slam’
03.11.08 - Pro D2, round 8: La Rochelle usurp
Racing on a bad weekend For Paris
01.11.08 - Top 14: Toulouse take over
the lead as Stade Francais are beaten again
01.11.08 - Top 14: Montauban batter
hapless Toulon
31.10.08 - Top 14 - Round 9 Preview
30.10.08 - Top 14: ‘Cockerel’ Frederic Michalak
admits Toulouse runs through his veins
30.10.08 - International: Toulouse
youngster Maxime Medard in France squad
29.10.08 -
Exclusive:
Interview with
International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset,
Part II
29.10.08 - Top 14: Castres set to unveil
Masoe while double injury blow hits Toulon
28.10.08 - Pro D2 round seven: Top two
lose as La Rochelle go level with Racing Metro
27.10.08 - Top 14: Jean-Jacques Crenca
sacked by Toulon
27.10.08 - Top 14: Set-back for Mill | | |
