ROUND 4 :
FIXTURES :
Bourgoin - Montauban 35-22
Toulouse - Biarritz 20-3
Bayonne - Perpignan 9-20
Narbonne - Paris 24-33
Montferrand - Montpellier 55-7
Brive - Albi 6-3
Castres - Agen 31-26
STANDINGS :
1. Stade Français, 18 (83)
2. Toulouse, 17 (60)
3. Perpignan, 13 (41)
4. Bourgoin-Jallieu, 11 (23)
5. Biarritz, 10 (35)
6. Clermont-Auvergne, 10 (24)
7. Montauban, 10 (14)
8. Agen, 9 (-6)
9. Albi, 9 (-11)
10. Montpellier, 8 (-58 )
11. Castres, 6 (-12)
12. Brive, 5 (-43)
13. Narbonne, 4 (-62)
14. Bayonne, 0 (-88 )
Bourgoin, defeated on wednesday in Albi, had to win at home. This is done with the offensive bonus, but this was not as easy as it seems. Montauban, who makes lots of changes in the starting team at each game, proves once again they do not want to join the ProD2 back. Scoring three times, Montauban was near to get one or two bonnus point at the end of the match.
It was, according to the journalists, the revenge of the last final. But both teams are not ready to play the great rugby they shew last spring. Biarritz came with their second team, and Toulouse missed lots of occasions to score tries (Florian Fritz and Vincent Clerc have to learn again how to deal a 4 against 1 !!!). The bad new of the day came from Julien Ledevedec (the young second row/number 8, world U21 champion), who made an impressive beginning of the season. But he seriously injured his knee and will be out of the field for all the season long...
Bayonne correctly begun the game, but Perpignan was too strong and efficient last sunday. This is another defeat for the Basques who did not score any point in the ranking after 4 rounds. Perpignan is installed in the top4 and do not want to loose this ranking.
Since they came back in the french elite rugby, Stade Français had never won in Narbonne. That game was a priority for Fabien Galthié who had to manage a good coaching (Lionel Beauxis and Radike Samo's entering made Stade winning). Narbonne's fly half Cedric Rosalen scored 24 kicked points but this was not enough.
Montpellier resisted only half an hour, and also succeeded scoring the first try of the match. But that try only woke up Clermont who scored not less than 8 times after this. Tony Marsh (who has a knee injury and has to be operated), Aurelien Rougerie and the former Canterbury Crusaders' captain Steve Broomhall played an incredible rugby !!!
The poorest game of the round was between Brive and Albi with 2 drop goals against 1 penalty kicked... Albi missed the egalisation one at the last second. A very sad season start for Brive.
Agen won in Castres last year and without the feet of Romain Teulet, Thay would have succeeded once again. But Agen is really to much undisciplinated, sin binned three times (Two players at the same time at the end of the first half).
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ROUND5 PREVIEW :
Biarritz - Bourgoin-Jallieu
Perpignan - Toulouse
Montpellier - Narbonne
Castres - Clermont-Auvergne
Montauban - Brive
Agen - Albi
Stade Français - Bayonne
Bourgoin does not seem to be very efficient in away game this season. Not the best moment to play in Aguilera against the champion.
The game of the week is between Perpignan and Toulouse. But Toulouse will not send it's best team, preparing next week game against Stade Français.
Montpellier is impressive at home and pityfull anywhere else. I can say the same concerning Narbonne. I don't believe this will change this week.
Castres made a bad start and is not allowed to loose this game. Clermont is a direct opponment for the European qualification.
Montauban-Brive... Montauban should go on getting points to keep their ranking.
Agen came back from Castres defeated but full of hopes and convinced they can do something good. It's time to proove it recieving Albi.
Stade Français-Bayonne. The only suspens regarding this game will be the shirt Paris will wear. Some say it will be full of flowers...Another "good" idea from Max Guazzini.
French Championhip from inside
Moderators: Tigerbeat, Rizzo, Tigers Press Office, Tigers Webmaster
ROUND 5 :
FIXTURES :
Perpignan-Toulouse : 30-17
Biarritz - Bourgoin : 12-6
Montpellier-Narbonne : 33-10
Castres-Clermont : 13-9
Montauban-Brive : 21-20
Agen-Albi : 32-3
Stade Français-Bayonne : 48-29
STANDINGS :
1. Stade Français, 23 (102)
2. Perpignan, 17 (54)
3. Toulouse, 17 (47)
4. Biarritz, 14 (41)
5. Agen, 14 (23)
6. Montauban, 14 (15)
7. Montpellier, 13 (-35)
8. Bourgoin-Jallieu, 12 (17)
9. Clermont-Auvergne, 11 (20)
10. Castres, 10 (-8 )
11. Albi, 9 (-40)
12. Brive, 6 (-44)
13. Narbonne, 4 (-85)
14. Bayonne, 0 (-107)
Toulouse did not send their best team to Perpignan. The first half was very tightened, but during the second one, Perpignan's forward were too strong for Toulouse. It's a shame but, in the French Top14, we can see more and more of those games where the away side is not the best possible. Is it the same in Guiness Premiership ??
This week, the poorest game of the round was played by the champion. Nothing interesting to see in Biarritz, but the victory at the end of a boring evening...
Montpellier won against the neighbourh Narbonne, scoring 4 tries (with a hat trick from the wing Laurent Arbo, who plays this year his last season). This confirms that both teams are very efficient at home but unable to play the same rugby in away games.
Castres had to win, and like last week they did but frightened all their fans. With Romain Teulet injured but on the field, Castres did not attempt the penalty kicks. This may explain why they had to wait the lasts minutes of the game to breathe quietely with the victory.
Brive woke up last week end, and was near to badly surprise Montauban. In spite of a brilliant start (10-0 after 10 minutes), Brive conceded a Penalty on the last scrum of the game. That was enough for Montauban's fly half Sébastien Fauqué to get the final score.
Albi has made lots of great things since the beginning of the season, but players were very tired and their impressive South African fly half Andre Hough was injured and did not play. Agen did not need this to win but they scored 4 tries... Albi will be better next week, I'm fully convinced of this.
Stade Français finally played with a dark blue shirt with pink flowers of lily... and won once again with six tries. Bayonne is really in a bad position with 5 defeats in row and no point in the ranking.
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ROUND 6 PREVIEW :
Bourgoin-Jallieu - Perpignan
Toulouse - Stade Français
Bayonne - Montpellier
Narbonne - Castres
Albi - Montauban
Clermont-Auvergne - Agen
Brive - Biarritz
Bourgoin recieves Perpignan who stopped last year the amazing list of home victories. A bit of revenge in Bourgoin ?
There will be revenge, for sure in Parisians' heads. They all remember Toulouse defeated them in the last championship semi-final. this game is still in lots of mind, but I hope it will be firstly a great rugby celebration.
Already the last chance game for Bayonne ? I am not sure but they have to win at least a game tobe more self confident. A good new : the "father" of the backs, Richard Dourthe, is back.
Narbonne is efficient at home, Castres is hesitating at the beginning of the season. But Castres have the players to win anywhere.
Albi-Montauban. Before the kick off of the season, lts of people would have say that both teams will join back the proD2 very soon. Nobody can say this surely now.
The games between Clermont and Agen are always interesting. Both teams will show us they can play godd rugby to qualify for next H-Cup.
Brive-Biarritz. After lots of hesitations, Biarritz has to tell us who's the boss !! But they have to take care, despite te lost game, Brive woke up in Montauban.
FIXTURES :
Perpignan-Toulouse : 30-17
Biarritz - Bourgoin : 12-6
Montpellier-Narbonne : 33-10
Castres-Clermont : 13-9
Montauban-Brive : 21-20
Agen-Albi : 32-3
Stade Français-Bayonne : 48-29
STANDINGS :
1. Stade Français, 23 (102)
2. Perpignan, 17 (54)
3. Toulouse, 17 (47)
4. Biarritz, 14 (41)
5. Agen, 14 (23)
6. Montauban, 14 (15)
7. Montpellier, 13 (-35)
8. Bourgoin-Jallieu, 12 (17)
9. Clermont-Auvergne, 11 (20)
10. Castres, 10 (-8 )
11. Albi, 9 (-40)
12. Brive, 6 (-44)
13. Narbonne, 4 (-85)
14. Bayonne, 0 (-107)
Toulouse did not send their best team to Perpignan. The first half was very tightened, but during the second one, Perpignan's forward were too strong for Toulouse. It's a shame but, in the French Top14, we can see more and more of those games where the away side is not the best possible. Is it the same in Guiness Premiership ??
This week, the poorest game of the round was played by the champion. Nothing interesting to see in Biarritz, but the victory at the end of a boring evening...
Montpellier won against the neighbourh Narbonne, scoring 4 tries (with a hat trick from the wing Laurent Arbo, who plays this year his last season). This confirms that both teams are very efficient at home but unable to play the same rugby in away games.
Castres had to win, and like last week they did but frightened all their fans. With Romain Teulet injured but on the field, Castres did not attempt the penalty kicks. This may explain why they had to wait the lasts minutes of the game to breathe quietely with the victory.
Brive woke up last week end, and was near to badly surprise Montauban. In spite of a brilliant start (10-0 after 10 minutes), Brive conceded a Penalty on the last scrum of the game. That was enough for Montauban's fly half Sébastien Fauqué to get the final score.
Albi has made lots of great things since the beginning of the season, but players were very tired and their impressive South African fly half Andre Hough was injured and did not play. Agen did not need this to win but they scored 4 tries... Albi will be better next week, I'm fully convinced of this.
Stade Français finally played with a dark blue shirt with pink flowers of lily... and won once again with six tries. Bayonne is really in a bad position with 5 defeats in row and no point in the ranking.
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ROUND 6 PREVIEW :
Bourgoin-Jallieu - Perpignan
Toulouse - Stade Français
Bayonne - Montpellier
Narbonne - Castres
Albi - Montauban
Clermont-Auvergne - Agen
Brive - Biarritz
Bourgoin recieves Perpignan who stopped last year the amazing list of home victories. A bit of revenge in Bourgoin ?
There will be revenge, for sure in Parisians' heads. They all remember Toulouse defeated them in the last championship semi-final. this game is still in lots of mind, but I hope it will be firstly a great rugby celebration.
Already the last chance game for Bayonne ? I am not sure but they have to win at least a game tobe more self confident. A good new : the "father" of the backs, Richard Dourthe, is back.
Narbonne is efficient at home, Castres is hesitating at the beginning of the season. But Castres have the players to win anywhere.
Albi-Montauban. Before the kick off of the season, lts of people would have say that both teams will join back the proD2 very soon. Nobody can say this surely now.
The games between Clermont and Agen are always interesting. Both teams will show us they can play godd rugby to qualify for next H-Cup.
Brive-Biarritz. After lots of hesitations, Biarritz has to tell us who's the boss !! But they have to take care, despite te lost game, Brive woke up in Montauban.
"Il y a des gens que j'aime et que je traite de cons, mais il n'y a pas de cons auxquels je dis que je les aime."
Frédéric Dard
Frédéric Dard
-
simon redshaw
- Super User
- Posts: 4454
- Joined: Sat May 07, 2005 8:50 am
- Location: Tonbridge
Hey,
sorry for answering so late...
And Stade Français is the only club where all those players have exactely the same level.
But I'm sure that whatever the shirt they wear, they are dangerous for the opposite side !!!
sorry for answering so late...
Surely, it seems to be easier, but even if we have no salary cap, the number of professional contract is limitated to 33.And surely, without a salary cap the best French teams should have strength in depth?
And Stade Français is the only club where all those players have exactely the same level.
I think their new pink one is absolutely awfull, but the dark blue one with lily flowers is alomst beatiful.BTW, just as an aside, what do you think of Stade Francais' new shirts? Let it rip!!
But I'm sure that whatever the shirt they wear, they are dangerous for the opposite side !!!
"Il y a des gens que j'aime et que je traite de cons, mais il n'y a pas de cons auxquels je dis que je les aime."
Frédéric Dard
Frédéric Dard
ROUND 6 :
FIXTURES :
Toulouse-Stade Français: 12-16
Bourgoin-Perpignan: 22-3
Bayonne-Montpellier: 25-20
Narbonne-Castes: 39-17
Albi-Montauban: 12-10
Clermont-Agen: 20-3
Brive-Biarritz: 14-21
STANDINGS :
1. Stade Français, 27 (106)
2. Biarritz, 18 (48 )
3. Toulouse, 18 (43)
4. Perpignan, 17 (35)
5. Bourgoin-Jallieu, 16 (36)
6. Clermont-Auvergne, 15 (37)
7. Montauban, 15 (13)
8. Agen, 14 (6)
9. Montpellier, 14 (-40)
10. Albi, 13 (-38 )
11. Castres, 10 (-30)
12. Narbonne, 9 (-63)
13. Brive, 7 (-51)
14. Bayonne, 4 (-102)
Lots of rain almost everywhere last week end in France. That gave us poor games, but suspens on all the fields.
Paris revenged their last lost semi-final. I was in the stadium, and i can tell you that this game should not have been played on saturday. But the broadcasted game had to be played... It does not mean that I believe Paris was not stronger, juste that the show should have been better.
Perpignan leaded the game during 30 minutes, but did not score. When Bourgoin woke up, it was too late for the Blood & God. The result is too heavy for them, but scoring is absolutely necessary to win.
Bayonne won their first game, with their new head coach Jean-Pierre Elissalde (Japanese National team coach and Jean-Baptiste's father), and with their captain Richard Dourthe back from injury. In spite of all of this, Montpellier was very dangerous from the first to the last minute.
Like last year, Castres lost heavily in Narbonne... The years are changing in Castres, the players too, but the deception is always the same.
Albi and Montauban played the same game last year in ProD2. But now this is the Top14, and both team have the level. Andre Hough scored all the kicked points for Albi (this South-African is for me the good surprise of the season's start).
Another game based on kicked points (first and only try at the 75th minute) was the one between Clermont and Agen. And Clermont with a good australian fly half (Broke James) make us understand they can deal without the great Stephen Jones.
First away victory for the champion. But despite the final result, Brive has now more and more delf confidance and Biarritz is more and more hesitating. But they are second being hesitating... we can hope the best for them in a few monthes.
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ROUND 7 PREVIEW :
Montpellier - Toulouse
Stade Français - Bourgoin-Jallieu
Castres - Bayonne
Clermont-Auvergne - Narbonne
Perpignan - Brive
Biarritz - Albi
Agen - Montauban
Another difficult round to predict, because the 8th one will be played in tuesday !!!
But Toulouse will do their best to avoid a third defeat in row, Paris will try to keep home unbeaten. Agen, Clermont, Perpignan and Biarritz should easily win at home, as the visitors' side will probably not be the strongest possible.
FIXTURES :
Toulouse-Stade Français: 12-16
Bourgoin-Perpignan: 22-3
Bayonne-Montpellier: 25-20
Narbonne-Castes: 39-17
Albi-Montauban: 12-10
Clermont-Agen: 20-3
Brive-Biarritz: 14-21
STANDINGS :
1. Stade Français, 27 (106)
2. Biarritz, 18 (48 )
3. Toulouse, 18 (43)
4. Perpignan, 17 (35)
5. Bourgoin-Jallieu, 16 (36)
6. Clermont-Auvergne, 15 (37)
7. Montauban, 15 (13)
8. Agen, 14 (6)
9. Montpellier, 14 (-40)
10. Albi, 13 (-38 )
11. Castres, 10 (-30)
12. Narbonne, 9 (-63)
13. Brive, 7 (-51)
14. Bayonne, 4 (-102)
Lots of rain almost everywhere last week end in France. That gave us poor games, but suspens on all the fields.
Paris revenged their last lost semi-final. I was in the stadium, and i can tell you that this game should not have been played on saturday. But the broadcasted game had to be played... It does not mean that I believe Paris was not stronger, juste that the show should have been better.
Perpignan leaded the game during 30 minutes, but did not score. When Bourgoin woke up, it was too late for the Blood & God. The result is too heavy for them, but scoring is absolutely necessary to win.
Bayonne won their first game, with their new head coach Jean-Pierre Elissalde (Japanese National team coach and Jean-Baptiste's father), and with their captain Richard Dourthe back from injury. In spite of all of this, Montpellier was very dangerous from the first to the last minute.
Like last year, Castres lost heavily in Narbonne... The years are changing in Castres, the players too, but the deception is always the same.
Albi and Montauban played the same game last year in ProD2. But now this is the Top14, and both team have the level. Andre Hough scored all the kicked points for Albi (this South-African is for me the good surprise of the season's start).
Another game based on kicked points (first and only try at the 75th minute) was the one between Clermont and Agen. And Clermont with a good australian fly half (Broke James) make us understand they can deal without the great Stephen Jones.
First away victory for the champion. But despite the final result, Brive has now more and more delf confidance and Biarritz is more and more hesitating. But they are second being hesitating... we can hope the best for them in a few monthes.
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ROUND 7 PREVIEW :
Montpellier - Toulouse
Stade Français - Bourgoin-Jallieu
Castres - Bayonne
Clermont-Auvergne - Narbonne
Perpignan - Brive
Biarritz - Albi
Agen - Montauban
Another difficult round to predict, because the 8th one will be played in tuesday !!!
But Toulouse will do their best to avoid a third defeat in row, Paris will try to keep home unbeaten. Agen, Clermont, Perpignan and Biarritz should easily win at home, as the visitors' side will probably not be the strongest possible.
"Il y a des gens que j'aime et que je traite de cons, mais il n'y a pas de cons auxquels je dis que je les aime."
Frédéric Dard
Frédéric Dard
ROUND 7 :
FIXTURES :
Montpellier-Toulouse : 9-9
Stade Français-Bourgoin-Jallieu : 41-27
Castres-Bayonne : 39-15
Clermont-Auvergne-Narbonne : 43-0
Perpignan-Brive : 24-13
Biarritz-Albi : 20-6
Agen-Montauban : 13-9
STANDINGS :
1 Stade Français, 32 (120)
2 Biarritz, 22 (62)
3 USAP, 22 (46)
4 Clermont, 20 (80)
5 Stade Toulousain, 20 (43)
6 Agen, 18 (10)
7 Bourgoin, 16 (22)
8 Montauban, 16 (9)
9 Montpellier, 16 (-40)
10 Castres, 15 (-6)
11 Albi, 13 (-52)
12 Narbonne, 9 (-106)
13 Brive, 7 (-62)
14 Bayonne, 4 (-126)
I'm sorry, but as the next round is tomorrow, I do not have enough time to develop something about each games.
But do not worry, you do not miss anything, that round was one of the borriest ever payed.
You just have to notice that Paris won once again, and with the offensive bonus ; that Toulouse did not win, for the third time in row, and that Biarritz hardly defeated Albi, and lost key players such as Dimitri Yachvilli, Nicolas Brusque, Thomas Lievremont and Imanol Harinordoquy.
You must also know that after one year, if one team had no more valid props, they had to play at 14 against 15 if they had to uncontest scrums. We did not see ANY uncontested scrum last year.
This year, the rule described above, has been stopped (it was a practice for the IRB), and props are fragile again...
Already 3 games with uncontested scrum since the beginning os the season. :(
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ROUND 8 PREVIEW :
Brive - Stade Français
Bourgoin-Jallieu - Montpellier
Toulouse - Castres
Bayonne - Clermont-Auvergne
Albi - Perpignan
Montauban - Biarritz
Narbonne - Agen
It's very hard to say something about this "week round". Everything will depend on the starting teams on the fields tuesday...
We just know that Stade Français will be a strong side, and will be able to equalize last year record when Toulouse won their 8 first games.
FIXTURES :
Montpellier-Toulouse : 9-9
Stade Français-Bourgoin-Jallieu : 41-27
Castres-Bayonne : 39-15
Clermont-Auvergne-Narbonne : 43-0
Perpignan-Brive : 24-13
Biarritz-Albi : 20-6
Agen-Montauban : 13-9
STANDINGS :
1 Stade Français, 32 (120)
2 Biarritz, 22 (62)
3 USAP, 22 (46)
4 Clermont, 20 (80)
5 Stade Toulousain, 20 (43)
6 Agen, 18 (10)
7 Bourgoin, 16 (22)
8 Montauban, 16 (9)
9 Montpellier, 16 (-40)
10 Castres, 15 (-6)
11 Albi, 13 (-52)
12 Narbonne, 9 (-106)
13 Brive, 7 (-62)
14 Bayonne, 4 (-126)
I'm sorry, but as the next round is tomorrow, I do not have enough time to develop something about each games.
But do not worry, you do not miss anything, that round was one of the borriest ever payed.
You just have to notice that Paris won once again, and with the offensive bonus ; that Toulouse did not win, for the third time in row, and that Biarritz hardly defeated Albi, and lost key players such as Dimitri Yachvilli, Nicolas Brusque, Thomas Lievremont and Imanol Harinordoquy.
You must also know that after one year, if one team had no more valid props, they had to play at 14 against 15 if they had to uncontest scrums. We did not see ANY uncontested scrum last year.
This year, the rule described above, has been stopped (it was a practice for the IRB), and props are fragile again...
Already 3 games with uncontested scrum since the beginning os the season. :(
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ROUND 8 PREVIEW :
Brive - Stade Français
Bourgoin-Jallieu - Montpellier
Toulouse - Castres
Bayonne - Clermont-Auvergne
Albi - Perpignan
Montauban - Biarritz
Narbonne - Agen
It's very hard to say something about this "week round". Everything will depend on the starting teams on the fields tuesday...
We just know that Stade Français will be a strong side, and will be able to equalize last year record when Toulouse won their 8 first games.
"Il y a des gens que j'aime et que je traite de cons, mais il n'y a pas de cons auxquels je dis que je les aime."
Frédéric Dard
Frédéric Dard
ROUND 8 :
FIXTURES :
Montauban-Biarritz: 19-13
Brive-Stade Français: 6-21
Toulouse-Castres: 35-3
Bayonne-Clermont: 24-13
Narbonne-Agen: 33-18
Albi-Perpignan: 16-7
Bourgoin-Montpellier: 25-3
STANDINGS :
1. Stade Français, 36 (135)
2. Toulouse, 25 (75)
3. Biarritz, 23 (56)
4. Perpignan, 22 (37)
5. Clermont-Auvergne, 20 (69)
6. Bourgoin-Jallieu, 20 (44)
7. Montauban, 20 (15)
8. Agen, 18 (-5)
9. Albi, 17 (-43)
10. Montpellier, 16 (-62)
11. Castres, 15 (-38 )
12. Narbonne, 13 (-91)
13. Bayonne, 8 (-115)
14. Brive, 7 (-77)
Biarritz travelled to Montauban without many injured players. For example, the young fullback Dambielle played as a scrumhalf, and the wing Gobelet was used as a fullback. The home side was too strong for the champion. More than the victory, Biarritz lost there their last right prop... Difficult weeks to come.
Stade Français won. Surprising ? No. Brive starting watching the "pink team" playing, but got a good period during when Stade Français had few doubts, but a try from Juan Martin Hernandez at a key moment settled the victory.
After three bad results, Stade Toulousain had to win. This is made against a mixed Castres team, with 5 tries and a very impressive Jean-Baptiste Elissalde. Toulouse climbs three places to 2nd.
Second victory in stade Jean Dauger for Bayonne. But the bad new for them is the knee injury of Richard Dourthe. At least they leave the last place ranking.
As usual, Narbonne is very strong at home. An easy victory against the European side Agen. When will they decide to play the same rugby away ???
The surprise of the week happened in Albi where the home side was impressive. They dominated Perpignan during 80min. Albi players seemed not to have seen a rugby ball for weeks. The 22 black and yellow men were "hungry of rugby".
Montpellier is, like Narbonne, efficient at home but non-existent everywhere else. Bourgoin did not need this to win but did not succeed getting the fourth try.
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ROUND 9 PREVIEW :
Agen - Biarritz
Castres - Bourgoin-Jallieu
Narbonne - Bayonne
Montpellier - Brive
Stade Français - Albi
Perpignan - Montauban
Clermont-Auvergne - Toulouse
Difficult travel for Biarritz. Without many players, and a rugby they can't find back, Agen is ready to try to defeat the champion.
Castres still needs a reference game. Maybe this one against a strong Bourgoin side, but wich will be tired after two full games in Paris and against Montpellier.
Narbonne should be too strong at home for Bayonne.
The same for Montpellier and Paris recieving Brive and Albi.
Only 4 days after defeating the champion, Montauban will play USAP, defeated by the other promoted team. How will both teams react ?
To conclude, the biggest game of the game will be between Clermont who seems to be back at a correct level, and Stade Toulousain who needs to reset the home defeat against Paris.
FIXTURES :
Montauban-Biarritz: 19-13
Brive-Stade Français: 6-21
Toulouse-Castres: 35-3
Bayonne-Clermont: 24-13
Narbonne-Agen: 33-18
Albi-Perpignan: 16-7
Bourgoin-Montpellier: 25-3
STANDINGS :
1. Stade Français, 36 (135)
2. Toulouse, 25 (75)
3. Biarritz, 23 (56)
4. Perpignan, 22 (37)
5. Clermont-Auvergne, 20 (69)
6. Bourgoin-Jallieu, 20 (44)
7. Montauban, 20 (15)
8. Agen, 18 (-5)
9. Albi, 17 (-43)
10. Montpellier, 16 (-62)
11. Castres, 15 (-38 )
12. Narbonne, 13 (-91)
13. Bayonne, 8 (-115)
14. Brive, 7 (-77)
Biarritz travelled to Montauban without many injured players. For example, the young fullback Dambielle played as a scrumhalf, and the wing Gobelet was used as a fullback. The home side was too strong for the champion. More than the victory, Biarritz lost there their last right prop... Difficult weeks to come.
Stade Français won. Surprising ? No. Brive starting watching the "pink team" playing, but got a good period during when Stade Français had few doubts, but a try from Juan Martin Hernandez at a key moment settled the victory.
After three bad results, Stade Toulousain had to win. This is made against a mixed Castres team, with 5 tries and a very impressive Jean-Baptiste Elissalde. Toulouse climbs three places to 2nd.
Second victory in stade Jean Dauger for Bayonne. But the bad new for them is the knee injury of Richard Dourthe. At least they leave the last place ranking.
As usual, Narbonne is very strong at home. An easy victory against the European side Agen. When will they decide to play the same rugby away ???
The surprise of the week happened in Albi where the home side was impressive. They dominated Perpignan during 80min. Albi players seemed not to have seen a rugby ball for weeks. The 22 black and yellow men were "hungry of rugby".
Montpellier is, like Narbonne, efficient at home but non-existent everywhere else. Bourgoin did not need this to win but did not succeed getting the fourth try.
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ROUND 9 PREVIEW :
Agen - Biarritz
Castres - Bourgoin-Jallieu
Narbonne - Bayonne
Montpellier - Brive
Stade Français - Albi
Perpignan - Montauban
Clermont-Auvergne - Toulouse
Difficult travel for Biarritz. Without many players, and a rugby they can't find back, Agen is ready to try to defeat the champion.
Castres still needs a reference game. Maybe this one against a strong Bourgoin side, but wich will be tired after two full games in Paris and against Montpellier.
Narbonne should be too strong at home for Bayonne.
The same for Montpellier and Paris recieving Brive and Albi.
Only 4 days after defeating the champion, Montauban will play USAP, defeated by the other promoted team. How will both teams react ?
To conclude, the biggest game of the game will be between Clermont who seems to be back at a correct level, and Stade Toulousain who needs to reset the home defeat against Paris.
"Il y a des gens que j'aime et que je traite de cons, mais il n'y a pas de cons auxquels je dis que je les aime."
Frédéric Dard
Frédéric Dard
I don't know if Nikos is a Toulouse fan or not, but if he is that would explain his absence.
The big story of the round would be Clermont's demolition job on ST to leapfrog them to second in the table.
Toulouse now have 1 win in 5, and their last result was that 46-9 demolition.
Stade won... again. At least this time they didn't get a try-scoring bonus, but it opens up a 15 point lead at the top. They will be able to afford to rest players before big HEC games and still have enough points in the bank to stay top. Bad news for Sale and Ospreys, that....
The big story of the round would be Clermont's demolition job on ST to leapfrog them to second in the table.
Toulouse now have 1 win in 5, and their last result was that 46-9 demolition.
Stade won... again. At least this time they didn't get a try-scoring bonus, but it opens up a 15 point lead at the top. They will be able to afford to rest players before big HEC games and still have enough points in the bank to stay top. Bad news for Sale and Ospreys, that....
Yes I am,4071 wrote:I don't know if Nikos is a Toulouse fan or not, but if he is that would explain his absence.
but the only explanation for my "absence", is that I'm very busy.
My reports will come today, if I've enough time to finish them. I try to write them before the wednesday but it takes me lots of time
"Il y a des gens que j'aime et que je traite de cons, mais il n'y a pas de cons auxquels je dis que je les aime."
Frédéric Dard
Frédéric Dard
ROUND 9 :
FIXTURES :
Agen-Biarritz : 20-18
Clermont-Toulouse : 46-9
Castres-Bourgoin :18-16
Narbonne-Bayonne : 25-12
Montpellier-Brive : 12-17
Stade Français-Albi : 25-12
Perpignan-Montauban : 13-18
STANDINGS :
1. Stade Français, 40 (148 )
2. Clermont-Auvergne, 25 (106)
3. Toulouse, 25 (38 )
4. Biarritz, 24 (54)
5. Montauban, 24 (20)
6. Perpignan, 23 (32)
7. Agen, 22 (-3)
8. Bourgoin-Jallieu, 21 (42)
9. Castres, 19 (-36)
10. Albi, 17 (-56)
11. Montpellier, 17 (-67)
12. Narbonne, 17 (-78 )
13. Brive, 11 (-72)
14. Bayonne, 8 (-128 )
The Champion Biarritz can't do it. They can't play the rugby we know they are able toplay. They've never been in a position that would have made them able to score a try. Agen did, they scored two fantastic tries, and got the victory.
I'm very sad to tell you that Toulouse is not any more great team. The one I knew did never give up, the one I saw saturday night did, and they gave up very early in the game. Clermont was strong (the best Clermont's side that their fans had seen for years), too strong. Moreover thez were lucky, everything scored, while Toulouse did not know what to do with all the balls the forwards got in scrums and line outs.
A very tightened game in Castres where Bourgoin thought they were going to win until the last minute and another "strange" penalty awarded to Romain Teulet. The defensive bonus is not enough for the away side. But Bourgoin's manager Christophe Urios has already to explain to the League what he said about the referee in Albi, so he kept calm in Castres.
As usual, Narbonne does the job at home, and Bayonne is not very efficient. 20 points from the home side flyhalf Cédric Rosalen, but only 12 kicked points from the Bayonne's one Ramiro Pez.
A great surprise in Montpellier. Nobody would have bet an away victory for Brive who is very hesitating since the beginning of the season. The Montpellier's plans that were to win at home and lose away will have to be change, this will be quite interesting.
Albi resisted very well to the leader. Paris only succeeded to score only one try. Ten minutes before the end of the game, Albi still had the defensive bonus, they deserved it but Paris did not want to be bad surprised. Their 9th victory in row is a record in the french league (since there is only 14 clubs), Toulouse "only" won 8 times in row at the beginning of last season.
Huge, very huge surprise in Perpignan. 4 days after a defeat in Albi, the second promoted team won in Stade Aimé Giral. The home side had lots of opportunities to score, but handlings errors and bad kicks made them unable to get the victory. The yearly crisis in Perpignan begun... Nobody knows when it will stop (if this one can stop).
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ROUND 10 PREVIEW :
Montauban - Stade Français
Biarritz - Perpignan
Toulouse - Narbonne
Brive - Castres
Albi - Montpellier
Bayonne - Agen
Bourgoin-Jallieu - Clermont-Auvergne
Montauban seems to be the team who has the most chances to defeat Stade Français. Very strange to say but after Toulouse's one, the game in Montauban will be one of the harder for Paris.
Biarritz's players can't find their rugby, Perpignan's players can't find their way on the field. The looser of this game will be in a very very bad position (moraly I mean).
A week after the humiliation, Toulouse has to proove lots of things. Their fans know rugby very well, and are not ready to forget what happenned in Clermont.
Brive must confirm the away victory against Castres. Did they really begin their season last week in Montpellier.
Albi will be tired after their amazing week, but they must not forget that Montpellier will be too.
Bayonne is looking for a third victory, Agen for a first one out of Stade Armandie.
The game of the week will be played in the football stadium of Saint Etienne (Stade Geoffroy Guichard, nicknamed "le Chaudron"). Bourgoin do not want to lose "at home" this year, while Clermont is still on the clouds !!! Should be a great game.
FIXTURES :
Agen-Biarritz : 20-18
Clermont-Toulouse : 46-9
Castres-Bourgoin :18-16
Narbonne-Bayonne : 25-12
Montpellier-Brive : 12-17
Stade Français-Albi : 25-12
Perpignan-Montauban : 13-18
STANDINGS :
1. Stade Français, 40 (148 )
2. Clermont-Auvergne, 25 (106)
3. Toulouse, 25 (38 )
4. Biarritz, 24 (54)
5. Montauban, 24 (20)
6. Perpignan, 23 (32)
7. Agen, 22 (-3)
8. Bourgoin-Jallieu, 21 (42)
9. Castres, 19 (-36)
10. Albi, 17 (-56)
11. Montpellier, 17 (-67)
12. Narbonne, 17 (-78 )
13. Brive, 11 (-72)
14. Bayonne, 8 (-128 )
The Champion Biarritz can't do it. They can't play the rugby we know they are able toplay. They've never been in a position that would have made them able to score a try. Agen did, they scored two fantastic tries, and got the victory.
I'm very sad to tell you that Toulouse is not any more great team. The one I knew did never give up, the one I saw saturday night did, and they gave up very early in the game. Clermont was strong (the best Clermont's side that their fans had seen for years), too strong. Moreover thez were lucky, everything scored, while Toulouse did not know what to do with all the balls the forwards got in scrums and line outs.
A very tightened game in Castres where Bourgoin thought they were going to win until the last minute and another "strange" penalty awarded to Romain Teulet. The defensive bonus is not enough for the away side. But Bourgoin's manager Christophe Urios has already to explain to the League what he said about the referee in Albi, so he kept calm in Castres.
As usual, Narbonne does the job at home, and Bayonne is not very efficient. 20 points from the home side flyhalf Cédric Rosalen, but only 12 kicked points from the Bayonne's one Ramiro Pez.
A great surprise in Montpellier. Nobody would have bet an away victory for Brive who is very hesitating since the beginning of the season. The Montpellier's plans that were to win at home and lose away will have to be change, this will be quite interesting.
Albi resisted very well to the leader. Paris only succeeded to score only one try. Ten minutes before the end of the game, Albi still had the defensive bonus, they deserved it but Paris did not want to be bad surprised. Their 9th victory in row is a record in the french league (since there is only 14 clubs), Toulouse "only" won 8 times in row at the beginning of last season.
Huge, very huge surprise in Perpignan. 4 days after a defeat in Albi, the second promoted team won in Stade Aimé Giral. The home side had lots of opportunities to score, but handlings errors and bad kicks made them unable to get the victory. The yearly crisis in Perpignan begun... Nobody knows when it will stop (if this one can stop).
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ROUND 10 PREVIEW :
Montauban - Stade Français
Biarritz - Perpignan
Toulouse - Narbonne
Brive - Castres
Albi - Montpellier
Bayonne - Agen
Bourgoin-Jallieu - Clermont-Auvergne
Montauban seems to be the team who has the most chances to defeat Stade Français. Very strange to say but after Toulouse's one, the game in Montauban will be one of the harder for Paris.
Biarritz's players can't find their rugby, Perpignan's players can't find their way on the field. The looser of this game will be in a very very bad position (moraly I mean).
A week after the humiliation, Toulouse has to proove lots of things. Their fans know rugby very well, and are not ready to forget what happenned in Clermont.
Brive must confirm the away victory against Castres. Did they really begin their season last week in Montpellier.
Albi will be tired after their amazing week, but they must not forget that Montpellier will be too.
Bayonne is looking for a third victory, Agen for a first one out of Stade Armandie.
The game of the week will be played in the football stadium of Saint Etienne (Stade Geoffroy Guichard, nicknamed "le Chaudron"). Bourgoin do not want to lose "at home" this year, while Clermont is still on the clouds !!! Should be a great game.
"Il y a des gens que j'aime et que je traite de cons, mais il n'y a pas de cons auxquels je dis que je les aime."
Frédéric Dard
Frédéric Dard