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

[Tichtheid]

Still a shite Finn Russell

Torq bait?

[Tichtheid]

La Rochelle haven't exactly had a poor season, so any sympathy has to take that into consideration.

They should have won that, really.

[Slick]

Still a shite Finn Russell

Torq bait?

Meh

Maybe

[Grandpa]

Not the same standard as the European Final... bit messy.. but what a finish...

[Grandpa]

But let's not dwell on Ntamack, you know that's coming in the thread later

How did you know?

[TheFrog]

But let's not dwell on Ntamack, you know that's coming in the thread later

How did you know?

[sturginho]

[Uncle fester]

Cracking game. What a magnificent player he is.

[TheFrog]

I need to watch the game, only saw the first 20min, but from what I read, the French internationals were not at their best, except maybe Atonio, Wardi and Aldritt.

[TheFrog]

One for Torque. It has the good, the bad and the uggly. Gosh, Ntamack is fast. He even drops Dupont.

[TheFrog]

Watched the game finally. The intensity was insane and both defenses mean.

What worries me really was the number of mistakes made by French internationals or candidates for the World Cup squad. Dupont wasn't at his best, Ntamack blew hot and cold, Marchand didn't weigh as much as usual, Aldegheri was owned, Cros okish, Ramos had a mare except from the tee, Danty accumulated mistakes...

[Torquemada 1420]

But let's not dwell on Ntamack, you know that's coming in the thread later

I was watching in Crete. He was dogsh*t and Seuteni's brainfart in defence doesn't alter that.

As for Romain Ntamack. What can you say? He was awful for much of the game – while O’Gara’s comments were not becoming of a top-level coach with international aspirations, he was not wrong in his assertion that Toulouse did not play particularly well, and Ntamack was at the heart of much of it. His facial expression after he had sent a match-saving penalty kick beyond the corner was that of someone who had cracked. And he was saved from giving away a match-clinching penalty to the opposition because the referee had blown to stop the game for injury rather than for a penalty – there were milliseconds in that decision.

It's here for the record again, if Ntamack is the starter for the RWC, France won't win it.

[Tichtheid]

But let's not dwell on Ntamack, you know that's coming in the thread later

I was watching in Crete. He was dogsh*t and Seuteni's brainfart in defence doesn't alter that.

As for Romain Ntamack. What can you say? He was awful for much of the game – while O’Gara’s comments were not becoming of a top-level coach with international aspirations, he was not wrong in his assertion that Toulouse did not play particularly well, and Ntamack was at the heart of much of it. His facial expression after he had sent a match-saving penalty kick beyond the corner was that of someone who had cracked. And he was saved from giving away a match-clinching penalty to the opposition because the referee had blown to stop the game for injury rather than for a penalty – there were milliseconds in that decision.

It's here for the record again, if Ntamack is the starter for the RWC, France won't win it.

Another way of looking at the final was that even at the very end of what had been a very poor game from him he had that ability to win the Bouclier de Brennus with a try that would be scarcely believable if it had been written in a boy's adventure story - what's the French equivalent of Roy of the Rovers?

It was a 65m screamer with only a couple of minutes to go.

[Torquemada 1420]

Another way of looking at the final was that even at the very end of what had been a very poor game from him he had that ability to win the Bouclier de Brennus with a try that would be scarcely believable if it had been written in a boy's adventure story - what's the French equivalent of Roy of the Rovers?

It was a 65m screamer with only a couple of minutes to go.

His pace was exceptional but the try was as much down to Seuteni rushing up: suicide given LaR's defence system which means they play light on a backstop defender in that situation.

In the end, the LaR centres cost them the game with Danty being as bad as Ntamack was.

[Tichtheid]

Another way of looking at the final was that even at the very end of what had been a very poor game from him he had that ability to win the Bouclier de Brennus with a try that would be scarcely believable if it had been written in a boy's adventure story - what's the French equivalent of Roy of the Rovers?

It was a 65m screamer with only a couple of minutes to go.

His pace was exceptional but the try was as much down to Seuteni rushing up: suicide given LaR's defence system which means they play light on a backstop defender in that situation.

In the end, the LaR centres cost them the game with Danty being as bad as Ntamack was.

I reckon there are very few, if any, tries scored in rugby where there isn't a mistake made by the defence at some point in the move.

[Torquemada 1420]

Another way of looking at the final was that even at the very end of what had been a very poor game from him he had that ability to win the Bouclier de Brennus with a try that would be scarcely believable if it had been written in a boy's adventure story - what's the French equivalent of Roy of the Rovers?

It was a 65m screamer with only a couple of minutes to go.

His pace was exceptional but the try was as much down to Seuteni rushing up: suicide given LaR's defence system which means they play light on a backstop defender in that situation.

In the end, the LaR centres cost them the game with Danty being as bad as Ntamack was.

I reckon there are very few, if any, tries scored in rugby where there isn't a mistake made by the defence at some point in the move.

You are right and often the mistake is not punished and so Ntamack deserves credit for taking full toll.

[sturginho]

Yet more Italian u20s moving to France:

https://www.rugbymeet.com/news/18642990 ... all-estero

[Torquemada 1420]

Yet more Italian u20s moving to France:

https://www.rugbymeet.com/news/18642990 ... all-estero

My Italian is non existent but I have mixed feelings on this. On the one hand, it's clearly better for the best players to be in Italy to help build a viable club game. However, I'm not sure that promising players will get enough of the right quality of playing exposure to maximise their potential fast enough under the current state of the game there, and so, playing in a "better" league might be the best thing for them. Maybe some sort of loan arrangement for young players should be the requirement e.g. play at ASM until 22 and then home club has right to exercise option to recall?

[sturginho]

Yet more Italian u20s moving to France:

https://www.rugbymeet.com/news/18642990 ... all-estero

My Italian is non existent but I have mixed feelings on this. On the one hand, it's clearly better for the best players to be in Italy to help build a viable club game. However, I'm not sure that promising players will get enough of the right quality of playing exposure to maximise their potential fast enough under the current state of the game there, and so, playing in a "better" league might be the best thing for them. Maybe some sort of loan arrangement for young players should be the requirement e.g. play at ASM until 22 and then home club has right to exercise option to recall?

Same for me, on the one hand I think the individual players benefit from being part of a more professional set up than what they would have in Italy but on the other hand our domestic rugby will never improve if it keeps losing its best talents. And of course nothing is being done by the FIR to improve anything

[Torquemada 1420]

Well, I think we should be very worried.

1) Fitness fell off the proverbial cliff last night. I know it was several players' first game in a while and it was hot but to disintegrate 20 minutes out? T14 may have killed RWC chances.

2) Both games have shown that outside of the 1st choice 15, there is a yawning gap. Even players who shone there last season like Macalou and Jalibert have made little impression. Maybe hard on Jalibert who did have a hand in 2 tries in the 1st game.

3) Tighthead remains a concern. Aldegheri was average and Atonio had a shocker: gave away free kick at scrum in a great attacking position immediately he came on, another minutes later in own half and was at fault for his tackles in 2 of the Scottish tries.

4) Whilst Woki was a bit better than his sh*tshow of a season last year, France cannot afford not to play a lump as one lock like Willemse (out of form) or Tao. The Racist is no intl.

5) Severely missed Cros in the backrow.

6) Injuries mounting up. Whilst I am not an Ntamack fan, losing him now would be a huge disruption and losing Baille would be fatal.

7) Too late to try Jauneau now but Lucu continues not to impress any more than Serin or Couilloud.

8) Fickou's form seems to have evaporated over the last year pretty much like Racing's play.

[TheFrog]

Ntamack gone.
Torque, you must be delighted.

We will see Jalibert's superior rugby skills lead France to glory.

[TheFrog]

As for the team fitness I am not worried, they are just out of the high intensity training and legs are still heavy.

As for lack of depth, I thought the B team did well in Scotland last week.

[Slick]

Ntamack gone.
Torque, you must be delighted.

We will see Jalibert's superior rugby skills lead France to glory.

That's so shit for him, the tournament and France, poor guy.

[TheFrog]

Ntamack gone.
Torque, you must be delighted.

We will see Jalibert's superior rugby skills lead France to glory.

That's so shit for him, the tournament and France, poor guy.

Yes, gutting.

But that's rugby.

[Torquemada 1420]

Ntamack gone.
Torque, you must be delighted.

We will see Jalibert's superior rugby skills lead France to glory.

No. I'm not. A year ago, fine. But the whole preparation and set up has been to have Ntamack at FH so this is really bad news. Far too late to be changing now.

Jalibert's injury record means he's highly unlikely to make it through the whole comp so that's even more disruption. The safer call now would be to go with Hastoy.

[boere wors]

How big a blow is that for the french? Ntamack seems to be getting a lot of slack usually. How are the backup 10s?

[Torquemada 1420]

As for the team fitness I am not worried, they are just out of the high intensity training and legs are still heavy.

As for lack of depth, I thought the B team did well in Scotland last week.

Who amongst the B team did you think held his hand up to say "I deserve a place"?

[Torquemada 1420]

Baille looks like he is gone too. RWC hopes going down the drain at a rate of knots.

[TheFrog]

As for the team fitness I am not worried, they are just out of the high intensity training and legs are still heavy.

As for lack of depth, I thought the B team did well in Scotland last week.

Who amongst the B team did you think held his hand up to say "I deserve a place"?

They tore apart Scotland first team before fading away. I am not talking about starters, I am talking about having a bench that is solid.

Bourgarit, Boudehent, Tanga, Couilloud, Jalibert (now likely a starter) and Gailleton would start for a number of 6N teams.

[TheFrog]

How big a blow is that for the french? Ntamack seems to be getting a lot of slack usually. How are the backup 10s?

Ntamack was a master at getting his back line in action.

Jalibert, the likely replacement, is a great puncher with a vision for opportunities. But he is less of a game manager and a more flaky defender.

Hastoy, the third choice is more of a game manager, but less skilled than Jalibert.

The other big thing is that Ntamack and Dupont play together week in, week out. They understand each other without having to talk.

[boere wors]

How big a blow is that for the french? Ntamack seems to be getting a lot of slack usually. How are the backup 10s?

Ntamack was a master at getting his back line in action.

Jalibert, the likely replacement, is a great puncher with a vision for opportunities. But he is less of a game manager and a more flaky defender.

Hastoy, the third choice is more of a game manager, but less skilled than Jalibert.

The other big thing is that Ntamack and Dupont play together week in, week out. They understand each other without having to talk.

Merci bien. Seems you have some proper backup at least. Nevertheless a setback and especially sad for Ntamack

[Torquemada 1420]

How big a blow is that for the french? Ntamack seems to be getting a lot of slack usually. How are the backup 10s?

Ntamack was a master at getting his back line in action.

Jalibert, the likely replacement, is a great puncher with a vision for opportunities. But he is less of a game manager and a more flaky defender.

Hastoy, the third choice is more of a game manager, but less skilled than Jalibert.

The other big thing is that Ntamack and Dupont play together week in, week out. They understand each other without having to talk.

Except that's a blatant lie. Ntamack has spent his entire intl career hampering the backline. We can argue the toss (much like Farrell debates) about whether it's the player or the way he has been instructed to play or both. But fact remains Fra has squeaked home a number of games in recent years which they should have already won comfortably but got over the line because Jalibert came on late. Even in the Sco warm up, Jalibert was involved in 2 tries. Ntamack scored against Sco but it was Dupont who created all the real chances.

Jalibert is not a flaky defender. That implies he is inconsistent. He is simply a weak defender all the time. Ntamack has a reputation built around being a good defender but acted the turnstile in a number of recent games: waving oppos to the line a la Garbajosa. His injury came about in failing to tackle Russell.

Jalibert is at least as injury prone as Ntamack so there is every possibility he won't make it through the RWC. He's also more of a selfish dick than Ntamack but that's not really relevant.

Hastoy is between the 2: not Ntamack's pace and not Jalibert's flair. But he is reliable and can manage a game: you have to when you play for LaR under ROG.

Note that Ntamack is a poor dead ball kicker, Jalibert is better and Hastoy the best. That might matter if Ramos is off, gets injured or has one of his meltdown days.

Since the whole set up has been designed around a Dupont-Ntamack axis and Hastoy is much closer to Ntamack than Jalibert, I would rather see Hastoy start.

[TheFrog]

I don't agree with everything you write, Torque, but I have to say that I also think Hastoy should replace Ntamack.

[Torquemada 1420]

I don't agree with everything you write, Torque, but I have to say that I also think Hastoy should replace Ntamack.

We'll see what Galthie's thinking is in the next 2 matches.

I will be at the Australia game if anyone else is going and wants to catch up for a beer. And an argument.

[TheFrog]

I don't agree with everything you write, Torque, but I have to say that I also think Hastoy should replace Ntamack.

We'll see what Galthie's thinking is in the next 2 matches.

I will be at the Australia game if anyone else is going and wants to catch up for a beer. And an argument.

Unfortunately, I won't be around for that one but maybe able to go to France-Italy pool game.

[Achahoish]

Match FRANCE /AUSTRALIE menacé ?

Selon les informations de Midi Olympique, le match du XV de France face à l’Australie, qui doit avoir lieu le week-end prochain au Stade de France. En effet, il semblerait que l’ancienne équipe dirigeante de la FFR ait conclu un accord oral avec la Fédération Australienne lui garantissant le paiement d’1 millions d’euros plus un pourcentage des droits télés. Or cela n’est pas possible car cela n’a pas été budgétisé et la gestion des droits télés est du ressort du Comité du Tournoi des 6 Nations. Le président, Florian Grill, a donc tenté de renégocier avec les Australiens et attend leur réponse.

According to information from Midi Olympique, the match of the XV of France against Australia, which is to take place next weekend at the Stade de France. Indeed, it would seem that the former management team of the FFR has concluded an oral agreement with the Australian Federation guaranteeing the payment of 1 million euros plus a percentage of the TV rights. However, this is not possible because it has not been budgeted for and the management of TV rights is the responsibility of the 6 Nations Tournament Committee. The president, Florian Grill, has therefore tried to renegotiate with the Australians and is awaiting their response.

[laurent]

The Fucking Crooks are going to sink the union (deficit is abyssal). The idiots who voted them back in need ousting too.

Grill has his hands full to try and save what can be.

in other news Top 14 and Pro D2 have restarted.

[Torquemada 1420]

@Frog. Not sure what, if any RWC games I can make since the FFR crooks fiddled the tickets to their cronies.

Australia situation is a farce. I am going to Paris v Oyo on Friday night now because it might be the only game I see!

AB comfortably overcame a thin on resources ST last night. Lopez put on a master class the likes of which he rarely managed at ASM.

[Torquemada 1420]

Well, if that doesn't seal Mauvaka's place for the RWC, Galthie will need his head checked. Outstanding performance for the entire 80 mins including covering 8, which is a huge bonus.

Lard Arse had a decent game too in open play. Danty was an absolute pain to Fiji: how many turnovers?

Good to see Cros back because I think his tackle and work rate are crucial to Fra's chances. A better player than Jelonch by a margin.

I don't know what Galthie's thinking is at FB
- but if he's going with 2 specialists, Jaminet has to be a long way in front of past sell by date Dulin
- I pray he's not planning on using Dupont or Ramos to cover FH though

I still don't see the point of Couilloud, Serin or Lucu. They go with a rookie in Bielle-biarrey based on an ok T14 season but Le Garrec who tore it up last year (and don't forget his dead ball kicking) is not in the frame. He was a one man team for Racing 1st game out. Jauneau is also a far better option too.

Moefana continues to be an empty intl shirt.

Vincent was good in defence but lost the ball twice in contact on offence.

Wardi and Gros showed they are not even 1/2 a Baille each. Worrying.

Willemse needed to do a lot more and that's probably him gone. I suspect Tao will get the lump-lock slot (if he's fit).

Cretin was tidy and useful at lineout but the backrow is stuffed full already.

Macalou............ he'll get selected because he can do what he did yesterday. However, I have been disappointed over the last year at how lightweight his tackling efforts have been which means he's never getting a starting slot.

Bielle-biarrey is quick...... but he's a liability in defence in modern rugby. No way he can get in ahead of Villiere (Penaud is a dead cert). Unless Galthie is trying to fudge a polyvalent for wing and FB.

[Torquemada 1420]

Bernol claiming this is the final squad

Piliers gauches : Cyril Baille, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Reda Wardi

Talonneurs : Pierre Bourgarit, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka

Piliers droits : Dorian Aldegheri, Uini Atonio, Sipili Falatea

Deuxième ligne : Thibaud Flament, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Willemse, Cameron Woki

Troisième ligne : Grégory Alldritt, Paul Boudehent, François Cros, Anthony Jelonch, Sekou Macalou, Charles Ollivon

Demis de mêlée : Baptiste Couilloud, Antoine Dupont, Maxime Lucu

Demis d'ouverture : Antoine Hastoy, Matthieu Jalibert

Centres : Jonathan Danty, Gaël Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Arthur Vincent

Ailiers : Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Damian Penaud, Gabin Villière

Arrières : Melvyn Jaminet, Thomas Ramos

Dumorthier obviously a big loser in this. TF no Serin.