French rugby 2020/2021

[sam16111986]

1. The players will play no more than three Tests each.

Accidentally a great opportunity for France to blood a lot of players and try new combinations. Results might not be there but could actually do them a favour long term.

I’m sure we’ll see some young players getting their first taste of Test rugby!

Recent France under 20s squads have been strong so getting more of them a chance with the first team isn't a bad thing. I don't know the French philosophy on qualification at the minute but it there's some dual qualified players on the edge of selection it would be a good time to tie them down.

[Robespierre]

Former U20 prop, Georges-Henri Colombe is in Racing’s starting XV against Exeter tomorrow, and could be considered for the 6Nations in the new year.

[Robespierre]

Round 5 of the Top14 was played at the weekend and one notable fact is that the average number of points scored in each game was a staggering 60!

Results:

Racing v Toulon Postponed
La Rochelle 62 Castres 3
Montpellier 42 Agen 13
Pau 29 Bordeaux 24
Brive 16 Toulouse 36 (first win for Toulouse at Brive for ten years)
Lyon 62 Bayonne 10
CXlermont 41 S Français 24

Table:
Played points
1 Toulouse 5 18
2 La Rochelle 4 14
3 Pau 5 14
4 Clermont 4 13
5 Lyon 5 12
6 Racing 3 9
7 Brive 4 9
8 Toulon 4 9
9 Bayonne 5 8
10 S Français 4 8
11Montpellier 4 7
12 Bordeaux 3 5
13 Castres 3 4
14 Agen 5 1

[Robespierre]

Next weekend's Top14 fixtures:

Toulon v Castres
Toulouse v Lyon (many international absentees for Toulouse)
S Français v Racing (a parisien derby, but Racing will also lose a lot of players to international squads)
Agen v Bayonne (Agen have lost all 5 matches of this season. Will they get their first win?)
Clermont v Pau
Montpellier v Brive
La Rochelle v Bordeaux

[Robespierre]

This weekend's Top14 results:

Montpellier 30 Brive 6
La Rochelle 20 Bordeaux 6
Toulouse 7 Lyon 16 (Toulouse lose a rare home match but with 8 players with the French squad)
Clermont 50 Pau 29
Agen 15 Bayonne 26
S Français 25 Racing 27
Toulon 19 Castres 6

Table

1 Toulouse 18 (played 6)
2 Clermont 18 (5)
3 L Rochelle 18 (5)
4 Lyon 14 (6)
5 Pau 14 (6)
6 Racing 13 (4)
7 Toulon 13 (5)
8 Montpellier 12 (5)
9 Bayonne 12 (6)
10 SF 9 (5)
11 Brive 9 (5)
12 Bordeaux 5 (4)
13 Castres 4 (4)
14 Agen 1 (6)

[JP14]

Castres are on a poor run of form...

[Robespierre]

Castres are on a poor run of form...

Indeed. Due to covid, they've only played 4 matches and the only one they won was a narrow win in the opening match at relegation favourites Agen.
And it ain't going to get easier! Their next two matches are Racing (h) and Toulouse (a), although these two clubs will be without the majority of their international players.

[JP14]

I see the French have been put in a four week lockdown, is this like the Welsh where the Top14 and Les Bleus are still allowed to play behind-closed-doors?

Robespierre, wishing you the best pal, hope you stay, bonne chance!

[Robespierre]

I see the French have been put in a four week lockdown, is this like the Welsh where the Top14 and Les Bleus are still allowed to play behind-closed-doors?

Robespierre, wishing you the best pal, hope you stay, bonne chance!

I hope that the Top14 and ProD2 will be authorised to carry on playing. With regard to Les Bleus, I’d imagine that all the forthcoming fixtures will be played as already planned, with no spectators. And thank you, I’ll be confined to home and will keep my head down!

[JP14]

I see the French have been put in a four week lockdown, is this like the Welsh where the Top14 and Les Bleus are still allowed to play behind-closed-doors?

Robespierre, wishing you the best pal, hope you stay, bonne chance!

I hope that the Top14 and ProD2 will be authorised to carry on playing. With regard to Les Bleus, I’d imagine that all the forthcoming fixtures will be played as already planned, with no spectators. And thank you, I’ll be confined to home and will keep my head down!

I think for this time around it will be stay sane rather than stay safe!

[Robespierre]

France v Ireland Saturday night and here are the teams:

France: Bouthier; Rattez, Vakatawa, Vincent, Fickou; Ntamack, Dupont; Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Le Roux, Willemse, Cros, Ollivon (capt), Alldritt.

Replacements: Chat, Gros, Bamba, Taofifenua, Cretin, Serin, Retière, Ramos.

Ireland: Stockdale; Conway, Henshaw, Aki, Keenan; Sexton (capt), Murray; Healy, Herring, Porter; Beirne, Ryan; Doris, Connors, Stander.

Replacements: Heffernan, E Byrne, Bealham, Dillane, O'Mahony, Gibson-Park, R Byrne, Farrell.

One change in the French side, Teddy Thomas is injured and Gaël Fickou moves from centre to wing and Arthur Vincent comes in at centre.
Clearly I'm for France, and if they can build on their win against Wales and not concede an early try, then I'll be hopeful of a win, but France are France and are prone to a collective brainf..t from time to time!!

[JP14]

Allez les Bleus!

[TigerFeetSteve]

I'll be happy with a draw...

[Robespierre]

I'll be happy with a draw...

........ if England come away without a winning bp.

[Tigerbeat]

Can see England winning by more points than France.....points difference may decide it.
I expect France to beat Ireland but they will be going all out for the Try bonus point which may leave them open to conceding points to Ireland......a close one to call!