Le Taupe XIV et la mégalomanie d'un secretaire d'état ripoux

[sturginho]

Flying to Amsterdam with Ange Capuozzo on the same flight. Looks like a - nice - kid. Smiled with a shy demeanor when I congratulated him on his good game and intercept try.

Hookers and dope?

[Torquemada 1420]

Bourgarit throwing more pies than Mr Kipling in this one.

[laurent]

Massy won their first game


We won our first game with the last kick of the game


Clermont won thanks to Plisson

[sturginho]

[Torquemada 1420]

ASM v LOU: even by T14 standards, the lineout throwing in this one is a spackerfest.

[TheFrog]

ASM v LOU: even by T14 standards, the lineout throwing in this one is a spackerfest.

ASM is improving outing after outing. Iturria is now a real asset. Some of the kids are maturing nicely. Raka is in fine form. Pliszon, even if imperfect, seems to have found a new confidence. Defense can improve but this is promising.

[Tichtheid]

Oh dear Teddy just committed a howler to gift his old club a try

Racing have been the better side, just about

[Torquemada 1420]

Oh dear Teddy just committed a howler to gift his old club a try

Racing have been the better side, just about

I was rooting for the racing this time, starting to dislike La Rochelle’s style of play.

Does Finn like to play in rainy weather? He had a very good game.

Total reverse of last week. Russell had one of his random good games whereas he was catastrophic at Toulouse. Thomas was superb defensively last week (!!!) and starved of ball this, he has a clown moment trying to be clever.

Woki continues to look lost.

[Torquemada 1420]

ASM v LOU: even by T14 standards, the lineout throwing in this one is a spackerfest.

ASM is improving outing after outing. Iturria is now a real asset. Some of the kids are maturing nicely. Raka is in fine form. Pliszon, even if imperfect, seems to have found a new confidence. Defense can improve but this is promising.

Iturria is almost back to the player he was 3 years ago. Plisson to the one of 10 years ago: looks like he matured 8 years too late.

LOU looked like 15 players who had never met one another though so not being tempted to read too much into this game.

[TheFrog]

ASM v LOU: even by T14 standards, the lineout throwing in this one is a spackerfest.

ASM is improving outing after outing. Iturria is now a real asset. Some of the kids are maturing nicely. Raka is in fine form. Pliszon, even if imperfect, seems to have found a new confidence. Defense can improve but this is promising.

Iturria is almost back to the player he was 3 years ago. Plisson to the one of 10 years ago: looks like he matured 8 years too late.

LOU looked like 15 players who had never met one another though so not being tempted to read too much into this game.

LOU were useless, this is true. But I watched the Toulon game, where Clermont had a total collapse during 20min, leaking 3 tries, before coming back to die within 1pt (and should really have won the game), I watched the La Rochelle game which was a high intensity war and now that game and I see real improvement from last year. Not yet European Cup material but coming back to a decent Top14 play off level.

Belleau is a good addition to the team. Less convinced about Hériteau for the moment. I also have doubt about Simone whose defense is suspect at times.

We'll see.


I watched Toulouse steal a win in Montpellier. Carbonel have a poor day in front of the posts and Marchand's arms in the ruck were the difference. Good performance for the Toulouse subs.

[TheFrog]

Ramos makes a fine 10.

And the Toulouse kids are doing extremely well. Insane depth.

[Torquemada 1420]

Ramos makes a fine 10.

And the Toulouse kids are doing extremely well. Insane depth.

He's probably a better 10 than a 15. But let's not get too excited: this was an exceptional performance by him against no resistance.

[TheFrog]

Ramos makes a fine 10.

And the Toulouse kids are doing extremely well. Insane depth.

He's probably a better 10 than a 15. But let's not get too excited: this was an exceptional performance by him against no resistance.

No resistance? Clermont were in it for a long time and were punished for couple mistakes. I actually thought Clermont were bot that bad until the 60th min, then the benches were the real difference. Plus Toulouse ability to strike and punish opponents for any mistake.

I had never realized Ramos had so much pace though.

Clermont played 4 wingers in the backs and at one point Toulouse had 3 fullback.

The good thing was that many youth players played that game.

[TheFrog]

Ah... and Jelonch at lock was a good option. Woki would better wake up soon.

[Torquemada 1420]

Ah... and Jelonch at lock was a good option. Woki would better wake up soon.

That made me laugh too. He looked like Le Roux in there i.e. much better as a lock than a backrow.

Woki is playing badly but the other way around: he now looks like a lock playing in the backrow.

[TheFrog]

Just watched Bayonne beat La Rochelle (replay of the game)

Impressed with Bayonne defense. They stood up to the physical bullies. Lots of handling mistakes but Lopez was in a great day, and he carried his team to victory.

Thomas was atrocious. Not ready to wear the blue jersey again.

[TheFrog]

Ah... and Jelonch at lock was a good option. Woki would better wake up soon.

That made me laugh too. He looked like Le Roux in there i.e. much better as a lock than a backrow.

Woki is playing badly but the other way around: he now looks like a lock playing in the backrow.

Yeah, you are right. Jelonch would be a good alternative to Leroux, with a brain and a pair of hands.

[TheFrog]

I'm listening to Le French Rugby Podcast on Podbean, check it out! https://www.podbean.com/pa/dir-22han-126a2c

[TheFrog]

Good podcast that.
I really like Johny Beattie. Smart lad and seems nice too.

[TheFrog]

Watching Toulouse at Brive...

Slow pace, it's scrum, mauls, rucks and a few rare flashy move. Brive have most of the possession but... 2 mistakes and Toulouse scored twice.

It reminds me of the game against Clermont where Clermont were very much in the game but Toulouse scored 3 tries on 3 Clermont mistakes.

[TheFrog]

Brive attack toothless...

And Toulouse opportunistic counter attacks deadly.

But a boring game. Scrum, ruck, touch, maul, scrum....

[Torquemada 1420]

Brive attack toothless...

And Toulouse opportunistic counter attacks deadly.

But a boring game. Scrum, ruck, touch, maul, scrum....

CAB's 1/2 backs are clueless. Olding should stick to what he's good at: abusing women.

[TheFrog]

OMG... i thought the Brive game was poor... until I watched Perpignan-Clermont

I have not seen such a poor game in a long time and my eyes are sore. Foul after fault and fault after foul, and in between a handling error or a knock-on. Disgraceful from Clermont who were not even on a Pro-D2 level.

[TheFrog]

Nightmare start for La Rochelle against Toulouse...
Red card against Wardi and 10min later, their hooker knocks himself out...

[TheFrog]

And Thomas now dislocated a finger.

A lot of internationals or potential internationals being injured lately.

[TheFrog]

Hastoy at 10 is an improvement for La Rochelle. Seuteni is an exceptional game breaker but Hastoy's game management is superior.


Dulin, Danty and Hastoy are in great form.

So is Ramos for Toulouse.

Dupont a bit less at the moment.


And when I thought La Rochelle had plenty of monsters... they bring on Colombe who is huge!!!

[Torquemada 1420]

Nightmare start for La Rochelle against Toulouse...
Red card against Wardi and 10min later, their hooker knocks himself out...

A game LaR would have won were it not for their own stupidity (Wardi) and a succession of injuries. We've been saying for the last few seasons that LaR's handicap has been dreadful options at half back.
I think Hastoy is military medium but he's light years ahead of West. Still think TKB is crap.

[Torquemada 1420]

T14 is quite strange this year so far. No standout side and quality is patchy. On the upside, it looks the most competitive I can ever remember with even the promoted 2 going okay.

[Masterji]

Any break out players to challenge for the Fr team

[Torquemada 1420]

Any break out players to challenge for the Fr team

If you look at the squad, you'll see some unfamiliar and surprising faces. I just don't expect any to see and game time.

[Torquemada 1420]

T14 is quite strange this year so far. No standout side and quality is patchy. On the upside, it looks the most competitive I can ever remember with even the promoted 2 going okay.

You are right about that, Top14 this year looks barely better than ProD2 mainly because the amount of penalties they get by holding the ball during the rucks or offside in the mauls etc.Very boring seeing the same mistakes again and again .
I haven’t watched a full game beside a couple ones with ST and Castres ( CO, I know ) .

I'm actually quite worried what will happen when the Euro games start.

[Torquemada 1420]

The writer is right on the money about the Fra/OZ game.

https://www.lerugbynistere.fr/news/rugb ... 222022.php

Like I said on the thread, Ramos was MOTM for me. Not convinced he'll keep that up but will take that effort.

Mention spéciale à Matthieu Jalibert pour son peu de temps passés sur la pelouse, mais rudement efficace. En 22 minutes, il parcourt 46 mètres et bat 2 défenseurs. Des meilleurs résultats que ceux de Romain Ntamack, présent 58 minutes sur la pelouse.

Like anyone who didn't inhabit an alternative universe should be surprised. Ntamack needs to be jettisoned entirely and an effective backup to Jalibert brought in. If Galthie is thinking of sticking with Ramos, he then has options of Ramos and Dupont at 10 if in a tight corner which frees up a slot on the bench.

[Torquemada 1420]

Completely agree with you and also what you said in the match thread. Jalibert should be a starter but not for the SA game, Ntamak is stronger and a better defender than he is, plus losing chances are higher and the pro Ntamak will blame MJ.

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/xv-de-fr ... tory.shtml

[Torquemada 1420]

Completely agree with you and also what you said in the match thread. Jalibert should be a starter but not for the SA game, Ntamak is stronger and a better defender than he is, plus losing chances are higher and the pro Ntamak will blame MJ.

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/xv-de-fr ... tory.shtml

Yeah, when I saw that I was like as he might have been the Fr player that ran the least for that game.
But he’ll be the starter against SA

Total lack of self awareness.

[Tichtheid]

French financial prosecutors raid headquarters of 2023 Rugby World Cup

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... -world-cup

[Torquemada 1420]

French financial prosecutors raid headquarters of 2023 Rugby World Cup

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... -world-cup

It will all be true and no-one will be brought to justice.

[laurent]

French financial prosecutors raid headquarters of 2023 Rugby World Cup

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... -world-cup

It will all be true and no-one will be brought to justice.

Well not so fast ... sentencing on the current trials is very soon.

[Torquemada 1420]

French financial prosecutors raid headquarters of 2023 Rugby World Cup

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... -world-cup

It will all be true and no-one will be brought to justice.

Well not so fast ... sentencing on the current trials is very soon.

Justice and sentences awarded not necessarily being the same thing!

[Torquemada 1420]

Is there anyone on the planet other than Galthie, ST fans and the Ntamack family who still thinks Romain is an intl player?

[Torquemada 1420]

Is there anyone on the planet other than Galthie, ST fans and the Ntamack family who still thinks Romain is an intl player?

Even medias like rugbyrama are starting to talk about it. Dupont won’t play this weekend, let’s hope Lucu/Jalibert will start.
I’m not or wasn’t a Macalou’ fan but he had an outstanding game
Ovale Masqué https://actu.fr/sports/rugby/pro/spring ... 83162.html

What I wrote on match thread

A few told you sos amidst this.

1) Have said repeatedly over the years that Marseille is the best atmosphere ground in France. Partly because unlike Paris, it's near the heartlands. And what a noise. More games here.

2) In a game of utter brutality where the Boks held most of the cards for most of the game, despite du Toit's f**king madness (which has resulted in a fracture to Danty's eye)..... I said last week France cannot play 2 lightweight locks together (Woki and Flament), and so it proved. France were absolutely killed in the mauls and struggled in the scrums until Tao came on. Woki continues his poor form. Lost most of the breakdown battle too. Ironically it was Fra's subs who turned the tide and not the Bomb Squad.

3) Macalouuuuuuuuuuuuuuu. How f**king long have I said he cannot be ignored and not least for his freakish athleticism? How TF Jelonch** got MOTM, only a Fre broadcaster could say. A flanker dumped on the wing whilst filling in the backrow at scrums, he was everywhere. 1st man to challenge the Boks at every restart (that's how fast he is), putting in key tackles (he was up against the fastest Bok) and may have created a breakaway try if Barnes hadn't made a terrible call when he was not held. No more of this stubborn stupidity please Galthie. He'd walk into any other side in the world.

**MOTM to a man who missed a tackle for a try and was sat on his arse by the smallest player on the park and gave away 2 pens?

4) Just f**k off Ntamack. The guy next to me almost had a conniption at yet another sh*thouse display of aimless kicking and starving the backs of ball. Jalibert created more in the 1st minute he was on than Ntamack did his entire game. Total sh*te when Fra had the man advantage.

Tactically I thought Galthie was poor. Generally, a game plan of trying to beat the Boks up seems a pretty dim idea and it won't work next time if they don't go full retard for a red card. How many times did the Boks try that kick pass to get around Penaud and Fra never adapted? Luckily they got it wrong most of the time (knock ons etc) but it led to Dupont's sending off. I'm not blaming Penaud so much as the defensive shape: Boks were down a man FFS so should never have been able to create an overlap.

The major plus from this was Fra sides of old would have folded up and died. This lot seem to have found the knack of winning even when playing poorly.