Top 14 Day 22

[Big Ewis]

Toulon played as they didn't play since last year, there best match from very far. ASM was barely average and Parra didn't had a good foot game unlike James fortunately. But Toulon made also many en-avants and forward passes, and had problems with their line-out. Curiously Toulon's try woke up the guys and the end of the game was ours.

will check it out later and post a few thoughts later. But Toulouse are getting smashed atm in Paris, goddamn !...fantastic try by SF, Flanquart with a try lol wtf..

 

[Jaguares]

watching online on ESPN Live with that annoying English guy...unfortunately I understand everything he's saying.
Good choice for this Saturday !

Send me the link via private message, please

 

[Big Ewis]

Send me the link via private message, please

no.

 

[gaston le gaff]

What a game Stade Francais 27 Stade Toulouse 27 60,000+ au Stade de France excellent result for Montpellier providing we win later on, anyone who says the TOP 14 is crap knows nothing about rugby.

 

[Big Ewis]

had terrible connection to the streams for some reason............ will have to watch it later.
Anyways, yep, 27 all, who'd have thought after watching the first half ?!!...

 

[jaunard06]

one of the best match of the season...

 

[FrenchFan]

What a game Stade Francais 27 Stade Toulouse 27 60,000+ au Stade de France excellent result for Montpellier providing we win later on, anyone who says the TOP 14 is crap knows nothing about rugby.

absolutely :cheers:........what a game.......i am STEAMING from the game......what a c-r-a-c-k-e-r !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7 tries scored ...how did Toulouse come back from that one?!! OOOOO PUTTAINNNNNNNNNN

anyone that critiizes the Top14 IS NOT F**ING WATCHING

 

[FrenchFan]

hope Clermont don't lose I want that honour to go to Leicester in a couple of weeks time.

Id like see them try...hey no try.....tigers skin fetch for a good price i think..

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

All winning streaks end, We nearly beat Toulon away they needed us to have Flood and Cole in the bin to be able to beat us in the end and Bakkies Botha viciously breaking the best LH in the worlds collar bone. I think Dan Cole absence will hurt more against Clermont than the premiership teams but with Parling, Morris, Bowden and Benjamin being back it will be a big game.

Any way i'm having to do a 14 hour coach journey to get there so I hope Clermont put up a strong enough fight

Now a serious question what is Clermont like (for those who have been there) Restaurants, stuff to do etc I'm there for 3 days so will have 2 days to be exploring.

 

[Big Ewis]

Any way i'm having to do a 14 hour coach journey to get there so I hope Clermont put up a strong enough fight

it's not Clermont putting up a strong enough fight I'd be worried about in your stead friend

And yes FrenchFan, the cool thing is we can swear all we want in French here and not get censored for it. Putain de merde fait chier comme c'était bon ! Aller Toulouse, putain con !

 

[gaston le gaff]

All winning streaks end, We nearly beat Toulon away they needed us to have Flood and Cole in the bin to be able to beat us in the end and Bakkies Botha viciously breaking the best LH in the worlds collar bone. I think Dan Cole absence will hurt more against Clermont than the premiership teams but with Parling, Morris, Bowden and Benjamin being back it will be a big game.

Any way i'm having to do a 14 hour coach journey to get there so I hope Clermont put up a strong enough fight

Now a serious question what is Clermont like (for those who have been there) Restaurants, stuff to do etc I'm there for 3 days so will have 2 days to be exploring.

for Tigs Man, Clermont there is a tram system that takes you outside the ground from the centre of Clermont and the bar Ovalie you will see it with all the food shops in the ground complex but still outside the ground is good for a few beers before and after the game usually most of Clermonts players get in there after the game. In the centre the place to be is Place de Jaude, thats where all the action is loads of bars, there is an Irish sports bar called Kerrys one tram stop south of the Place de Jaude, excellent atmosphere and loads of good beers, the resto we use is the Boeuf Cafe, as its name suggests loads of beef from the area fantastic quality, but there are loads of good restos and bars especially in the old part of Clermont just off the Place de Jaude go on Trip Advisor good listings. If you go on the site centre de tourisme they will give you loads to do, silly me suggesting when i dont know your tastes, but i have eaten often in Clermont and never had a bad meal, and the boeuf Cafe is oneof the best. Have a good trip you will not win but you should eat and drink well for 3 days you will probably be Clermont's 75th victim!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gaston le gaff]

That was some weekend of class TOP 14 rugby away wins for Bordeaux, Racing and Montypellier, who are now tied in 2nd place with Toulon, BO are relegated into the Pro D2 along with ???? i think it will be Oyonnax but still time for upsets, and the match of the weekend Stade Franchouillarde v Stade Toulouse 27 apiece they called it the Classico and they were not wrong probably the best game of the season so far, obviously not counting any of Montypellier's games!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 games to play and still no outright top 6 but i think it will be as it stands with Racing just missing out.......
Hope PSA watched Montypellier's game FTD cant kick cant defend what a plonker, leading drop goal specialist with 7 ( one yesterday) and kicked 4 penaties and a conversion and tackled like a flanker. and just orchestrated everything from the no.10 spot superb.

 

[jaunard06]

All winning streaks end, We nearly beat Toulon away they needed us to have Flood and Cole in the bin to be able to beat us in the end and Bakkies Botha viciously breaking the best LH in the worlds collar bone. I think Dan Cole absence will hurt more against Clermont than the premiership teams but with Parling, Morris, Bowden and Benjamin being back it will be a big game.
Any way i'm having to do a 14 hour coach journey to get there so I hope Clermont put up a strong enough fight

Even with major players probably missing like Kayser and Fofana, believe me you'll have your strong fight, ask Leinster fans that came here last year. The HC motivates the guys more than anything else.

Of course anything can happen, looks like referees now target Domingo being guilty of a smaller size than his opponent. Scrummaging has always been one of ASM's major weapons, if once again Domingo is stupidly sanctioned like with France and during yesterday's match then we may even lose that game...moreoverHC referees generally like to target french sides that have to be much better and much more disciplined than their opponent to hope for a win, thus if we have a tense match with a narrow score we may lose it on a last unfair penalty.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Even with major players probably missing like Kayser and Fofana, believe me you'll have your strong fight, ask Leinster fans that came here last year. The HC motivates the guys more than anything else.

Of course anything can happen, looks like referees now target Domingo being guilty of a smaller size than his opponent. Scrummaging has always been one of ASM's major weapons, if once again Domingo is stupidly sanctioned like with France and during yesterday's match then we may even lose that game...moreoverHC referees generally like to target french sides that have to be much better and much more disciplined than their opponent to hope for a win, thus if we have a tense match with a narrow score we may lose it on a last unfair penalty.

Don't give me that the ref goes against you, everyone knows the ERC refs targets the English clubs and Leicester most of all.

 

[Big Ewis]

Don't give me that the ref goes against you, everyone knows the ERC refs targets the English clubs and Leicester most of all.

nonsense, they target the Italians, and that's just a fact !!

 

[Big Ewis]

haven't had time for Rugby this past weekend too much, damn regular life with its people and what not...

FINALLY watched the whole Clermont Toulon match. Michalak looking good again, God what a lunatic...how does one play with complete command in every sector of the game and then looks like he never touched an oval ball in his life a month later ?

I'd like to point out Chiocci is looking better and better. For such a young LH, the guy's future is looking bright. Powerful scrummager for a LH, he's got the physical attributes rather of a TH and contributes in the loose too, doesn't just settle for scrumtime. The guy's scored a few tries already in his career...interesting prospect.

 

[Tony Manx]

haven't had time for Rugby this past weekend too much, damn regular life with its people and what not...

FINALLY watched the whole Clermont Toulon match. Michalak looking good again, God what a lunatic...how does one play with complete command in every sector of the game and then looks like he never touched an oval ball in his life a month later ?

Me neither as am on the road again.....Dubai tonight!!

Where do you catch up with games?

 

[Big Ewis]

Tony: Dubai ?! and check your inbox..

About the SF ST game:
- Galan was his usual monster. Every time I watch him play, he's as devastating and confirming what I think he'll become. What a force, and with good dexterity.

- Doussain: anyone who isn't French has been proven wrong yet again. He was very good at FH. And his large frame is no doubt a fantastic tool, he bounced off the opposing LH and tackled him up front later in the game. Excellent work muscling away from tackles, good passing...I still like his chances in a Bleus jersey a lot.

- Plisson: in a few years he could be *great*. He'll impress anyone watching him every once in a while, but he'll also commit rookie mistakes: not nearly finding touch on his kicks, or kicking ahead way too far, and his kicks (penalty kicking included) are WAY too low, he constantly gets charged down. But one heck of a talent to be observed closely.

- Tolofua: what an amazing talent. The guy is a bull, can't get enough of him. Powerful scrummager it seems (hard to judge for a hooker), awesome ball in hand, great offloads and bits of skill all over the place, big tackler, and a boatload of energy. His lineout throws still an issue though apparently...

- Dupuis: if we didn't already have Parra, Pélissié, Doussain, Machenaud who can all perform at top test level, I'd seriously consider this guy again. He may be older, but he's perfect for a SH: crafty, pinpoint accuracy, and he boots well.

- Fickou: amazing talent. He seems too contained though, often. Like confined in a style that doesn't fit him, if only France or Toulouse ran a bit more ball in hand.

- Clerc: still got it. Great to see him confirm his status still. Maybe back in a French jersey in time for the down under tour this summer ??

- Fritz: great to see him back. A first in 2014. Looked fine.

7 tries, a classic 'classico'. Awesome game.

gaston: anything to say in particular about Pélissié or FTD in that Oyonnax game ? Couldn't get a hold of that one unfortunately..

I'm watching Grenoble Racing next...

 

[gaston le gaff]

the conditions were awful snow blizzard the 1st half then hail then a rain storm for the 2nd half FTD played one of his great games 4 penalties a drop and a conversion, but it was mostly a battle up front, why dont you read my article on the Montypellier website, go to supporters then you will see Steve's Chronicles its all there.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

wow nice ! Didn't know you were this involved. I just read the article "Galthié's preparations pay dividends". Very cool you've got your own corner there on the official website ! I can see you writing those articles, it makes sense, but my goodness it must be tough to contain yourself that much...not a single exclamation mark ! I guess this forum is your stress-ball !


Watched GRE RACING - what a huge blow for Grenoble losing at home. But watching Racing, although they won on the road to a fine squad, one reaaaally wonders how they manage to be this bad. They may have won it, but they barely did and never looked in command, as they always seem. I mean with the players they've got, for God's sake...

Machenaud proving he really plays at the highest of levels here, again, both in the in-game action as from the boot at penalty time. He's much stronger and buffer physically too, more focused, less miscues in his game...one can really wonder who deserves that 9 shirt for France atm.