French rugby 2020/2021

[Robespierre]

Romain Ntamack, who took a blow on the jaw against Bordeaux will need an operation and will probably miss some of the 6N.

[ourla]

Pau and Brive wins leaving Agen very isolated at the bottom.

[JP14]

Romain Ntamack, who took a blow on the jaw against Bordeaux will need an operation and will probably miss some of the 6N.

That’s a shame, but Jalibert proved in the ANC that he is an international standard flyhalf and can be a more than capable back up to Ntamack, also gives Carbonel a chance to push for game time too.

[sam16111986]

Romain Ntamack, who took a blow on the jaw against Bordeaux will need an operation and will probably miss some of the 6N.

That’s a shame, but Jalibert proved in the ANC that he is an international standard flyhalf and can be a more than capable back up to Ntamack, also gives Carbonel a chance to push for game time too.

Three outstanding prospects at flyhalf all ages 21/22 and all playing regular first team rugby. The French coaches won't be too worried if one of them is unavailable. Ntamack could actually be more beneficial in the long run as it gives the other more international exposure and creates more competition.

[Robespierre]

After seven defeats in ten Top14 matches, Xavier Garbajosa has been sacked by Montpellier rugby and is immediately replaced by Philippe Saint-André.

[Robespierre]

Round 13 of the Top14 results:

Clermont 22 Racing 24 (Racing forwards gained the upper hand and earned another victory at the Stade Michelin)
S Français 51 Brive 21 (another big win for SF who are steadily climbing up the table)
Bordeaux 31 Toulon 18
Montpellier 9 Toulouse 16
Agen 13 La Rochelle 43 (top v bottom match with the expected result)
Lyon 14 Castres 15 (the surprise result of the weekend)
Bayonne v Pau postponed

1 La Rochelle played 13 points 44
2 Toulouse 13/42
3 Racing 12/41
4 S Français 12/34
5 Toulon 12/33
6 Lyon 11/30
7 Clermont 11/29
8 Bordeaux 12/28
9 Brive 13/22
10 Pau 12/21
11 Bayonne 11/21
12 Castres 11/20
13 Montpellier 10/17
14 Agen 13/2

[trendylfj]

Bayonne have withdrawn from the cup and will not play any more games in the competition - so what happens to the points??? - The French also seem to want a change in the testing regs and be blaming us for their positive tests.

[Robespierre]

Bayonne have withdrawn from the cup and will not play any more games in the competition - so what happens to the points??? - The French also seem to want a change in the testing regs and be blaming us for their positive tests.

I'd imagine that Tigers and Zebre will pick up 5 points each.
I've read that they want the testing regs in European competitions to be in line with those of the Top14, where I believe they test within three days of the next match.
Bayonne are claiming that they picked up the "English strain" in the game against Tigers. others in France are saying that the less serious sides in the European competitions are those that want to withdraw - namely Bayonne!

[TigerFeetSteve]

Bayonne would likely need to win both games to get through. Including going away to Welford road to get through. The instead decide to minimize risks by not playing what is now irrelevant matches to them as they don't think they can win them both.

[AngusMcCoatup]

I note that Telusa Veianu is scoring a few for Stade. We miss his magic but hey ho!

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

I note that Telusa Veianu is scoring a few for Stade. We miss his magic but hey ho!

We don't miss some of his "After you Claude" tackling though..
Like Manu it's the manner of his departure rather the actual leaving that is the sore point.

[Robespierre]

This week's and next weekend's fixtures:

Round 7 Jan 6th Lyon v Montpellier

Round 14 Jan 8 Toulon v Bayonne ( already postponed, date to be arranged)
Jan 9 Racing v La Rochelle (should be a cracker!)
Castres v Agen (Castres to move further up the table away from the relegation zone)
Jan 10 Brive v Montpellier
Pau v Clermont
Bordeaux v Lyon
Toulouse v Stade Français (SF are in a rich vein of form and will push Toulouse all the way)

[loretta]

Bayonne have withdrawn from the cup and will not play any more games in the competition - so what happens to the points??? - The French also seem to want a change in the testing regs and be blaming us for their positive tests.

Confirmed in the Mercury but as of 5 pm yesterday on the EPCR website. “ it can be confirmed that no club participating in the Heineken Champions Cup or Challenge Cup has officially informed EPCR of any intention not to fulfil their remaining fixtures in the 2020/21 season”.

Not entirely sure what’s going on here. Suspect Bayonne don’t want to play, waving Covid around as an excuse and hoping not to get fined. Talks behind closed doors, methinks.

[kk20gb30]

Really believe that where appropriate a uniform manner and method of Covid testing protocol should be introduced through out the game and not just left with individual governing bodies/competitions.At least then , everyone would know (as far as poss) where they stand .
Also , should the situation worsen considerably could withdrawal from Pan - European competition on safety grounds actually become legitimate ? I'm sure there would be arguments for both sides .

[AngusMcCoatup]

I note that Telusa Veianu is scoring a few for Stade. We miss his magic but hey ho!

We don't miss some of his "After you Claude" tackling though..
Like Manu it's the manner of his departure rather the actual leaving that is the sore point.

I certainly did not realise that "Claude Balls" or "Boules" the infamous French Lion tamer was playing for Stade alongside Telusa.