The top 14 final

[gaston le gaff]

The French Final between Toulon v Castres takes place tomorrow night, as it is the final of the toughest league in Europe we would not want anyone to miss it ko 21.00 in Paris Stade de France.

 

[Big Ewis]

Castres have what it takes to hold in the scrum. They may even put Toulon at difficulty...hope it's a nice tight match.
Toulon have the advantage in the backs though.

 

[Tony Manx]

Toulon will "moider" them!!

 

[gaston le gaff]

Not sure about that Tony i think that Toulon will win but it will not be easy, the 2 Laurents (coaches) will have done their homework but i will be supporting Castres of course!!!!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

Toulon will "moider" them!!

...NY accent there ?!

 

[Tony Manx]

Toulouse, Clermont, Racing, BOPB, Bordeaux, Stade and Perpignan to win...............Castres and Toulon to replace BOPB and Bordeaux of the winners to form the Top 6 at the end of the season with maybe Montpellier replacing Stade once and if they get their argies and injured back in time!

Look how closely (apart from Castres and USAP) this follows who has the money!!!

Not bad predictions at the start of the season................or is it all too predictable!!!

 

[gaston le gaff]

Very few Argies to get back now, all they have all been released barr 2, but the recruitment is rather brill even if i say so myself, your predictionns for next season think more Montpellier in the TOP 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! along with Toulon Racing and Clermont!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tony Manx]

Very few Argies to get back now, all they have all been released barr 2, but the recruitment is rather brill even if i say so myself, your predictionns for next season think more Montpellier in the TOP 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! along with Toulon Racing and Clermont!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry mate, that quote was from Day 1 of last season and they were my predictions for this last season!...............mind you probably little changed for next but will wait until it stops raining before I think about next season!!

 

[Big Ewis]

anybody think Castres has a chance ?!!......
this is what happens unfortunately when a smaller side beats a huge one in the semis. It's an exploit enough that they can't then go into the Finals and repeat such a huge feat. Reminds me of France beating the All-Blacks in the '99 RWC only to lose large against the Aussies in the Finals...

Castres most probably have done Toulon a huge favor.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Every finalist has a chance some more than others, would you have put money on Castres before the Clermont game probably not, they buried Clermont they can do the same to Toulon but they will have to play like demons for 80+ mins nothing is impossible and i will be supporting Castres could be disapointed late this evening but if the final is a good one well let the best team win.!!!!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

yeh, I really want smt nice this time, a good show. But that's a lot of hypothetical Gaston, come on, you actually give Castres a real chance here ? You'd bet good money on them ?

 

[gaston le gaff]

Never said i would bet good money but i still think it will be really close Castres without stars are a solid superb team and with lots of people leaving after this match the 2 trainers and several key players who have all been together for several years now, it would not surprise me at all and they are just as pumped up as Toulon. it may not be the prettiest final ever but it will be one of the toughest !!!!!!! ALLEZ CASTRES........................

 

[Big Ewis]

I agree: allez Castres !!

But yeh, now that you say it actually...it's probably gonna look like **** !...oh well, a final's a final, and those still are two good/very good teams.
I just hope if Toulon win, they do it more convincingly than ASM in the HC Final.

 

[dragos03]

Toulon is the big favorite, but go Castres!

And thanks TV5 Monde for broadcasting the final free of charge all over Europe.

 

[Tony Manx]

I think that most everyone wants Toulon to lose more than Castres to win but I will support Toulon as I respect the way in which they have crafted disparate individual talents into a true team.

I also really admire the way they gave the honour to Simon Shaw of presenting the shirts for the match to his fellow players last evening at the hotel. Old Shawie, who's contract has not been renewed, has been a marvelous role model to all future rugby players (and particularly for such those idiots still playing such as Farrell today and Armitage in the H Cup final) having played with dignity, spirit and a HUGE amount of talent and, other than for some totally blinkered and biased coaches would have had many, many more England caps.

I do hope that Toulon let their backs shine this week and after about 50/55 minutes they are able to cut loose and show the attack that is one of the leading try scoring units in the Top 14!!

I am going to go for a plus 15 point win but we all know my predicitive talents when it comes down to a match (as opposed to teams over a season)!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

...ahhh...I suppose you're right Tony.
Yes Toulon are a bunch of big name mercenaries, but also - Yes Toulon play well as a team, and withstand various tests.
They score a lot of tries too, contrary to popular belief...but not the prettiest attacking either...

I guess you caught me, I'd rather Toulon lose than Castres win, but I do like both teams...but it's so much more attractive to go for the small market here, and Castres have punched above their weight consistently this year...

ALLEZ CASTRES !!

 

[Tony Manx]

Less than an hour to go now guys!!!

 

[Tony Manx]

Looks to me like Toulon are playing too much rugby too soon.............I said after the 50/60 minute mark guys!!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Bloody hate the scorer, but that was a great try!

 

[Draggs]

Rory caught them napping there! That knock-on from Freddie was the worst possible way to end the half.