[2014 EOYT] France

[racingmetro92]

Also what are France going to do when Kockott moves to Bath? Do they have a policy of not choosing foreign-based players?

No we don't have this kind of restriction (remember Chabal and Bruno when they were in Sale). But right now, we don't have this problem because the only french who plays abroad is David Mélé in Leicester

 

[FrenchFan]

So now Noves and French fan can bleat no more of how they have been hard done because of the International call ups now maybe they will win some games!!!! and it is now the turn of Laporte and Boudjellal to publise how they are hard done by, hope everyone is noticing where the hell did they find so many French in Toulon absolutely amazing i was begining to believe all the UK and the rest of the world posters that Toulon was a Legion of Mercenares, where did thet find all these French persons amazing!!!!!!!!! This is incredible Toulon the major supplier of players for the French National squad, who would have believed it, truly amazing i presume that PSA will have to give them all French lessons as only English is spoken in Toulon,( this always insisted by Sir Jonnie) must go and sit down for a while truly amazing 7 FRENCHMEN and ALL FROM TOULON amazing!!!!

Absolutely. No more excuses for Guytou and Toulouse. Can't wait to see them back to winning . I still have some serious reservations that they will but....

Mourad is already showing Oscar-like potential as the next Pleureuse in the League.

it's mesmerising to see that many true Frenchmen at Toulon. And we're not talking about half baked frogs with dodgy passport and funny 3 year residence gig.

They're all legit frogs raised around la Rade. Apparently PSA remembered they were a few of them left hiding in the cupboard in spite of the legion of foreigners he recruited when he was coaching Toulon.

 

[Big Ewis]

Nyanga to not participate to the training due to injury. So that's 3 Toulousains now

And yes it's interesting and highly ironic: Toulon providing (by far) the greater number of French internationals. And none of which poaches, our 3 poaches are Atonio (LAR), Kockott (CO) and Le Roux (R92).

 

[FrenchFan]

No Steffon?


Also what are France going to do when Kockott moves to Bath? Do they have a policy of not choosing foreign-based players?

we'll take his French passport back. He'll have to go back to being a Saffie. Poor Rory he won't like that :lol:

 

[FrenchFan]

Nyanga to not participate to the training due to injury. So that's 3 Toulousains now

And yes it's interesting and highly ironic: Toulon providing (by far) the greater number of French internationals. And none of which poaches, our 3 poaches are Atonio (LAR), Kockott (CO) and Le Roux (R92).

in a group of 30 that's got to be a record. Noves must be delirious at this stage, a rare rare occurrence... Must video that.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

No we don't have this kind of restriction (remember Chabal and Bruno when they were in Sale). But right now, we don't have this problem because the only french who plays abroad is David Mélé in Leicester

Fair enough! I didn't know whether anything had changed since then (as England used to pick Wilko/Palmer/Haskell, when they were in France, but wouldn't now).

 

[Big Ewis]

Interesting interview from Mr. Bernard Nanard Laporte. I've translated most of his interview for you English-speakers:

He says he feels "immense pride" for the recognition of his players, seeing that as many as seven Toulonnais have been picked for the "stage", training camp. He says it means the players are playing well, it's great for them, they're ecstatic and that's great for his club: happy players are productive players. Good point. They'll take in experience, and show greater motivation during training.
He says now they have to be picked to actually play, and shouldn't settle for just being called up and must show they belong; and if there really are 7 Toulonnais playing in the group of final 23, he'll be that much happier.

He even then says:
"sure it's problematic to have your players selected to play elsewhere, but everybody's priority should be the xv de France. It's always been my sentiment, from when I started in Bordeaux and now in Toulon. It'll be up to the staff and myself to adapt".
"If anything it's good they're picking in other pools, from other clubs. Renewing in this case is healthy in fact. If they feel some of the best are in Toulon, then they should take them. They must give a new dynamic to France".

He lastly says just like he picked a large selection from Paris during his mandate at the head of the xv de France, it's good the France staff today are picking a large contingent from one same club, as it brings good cohesiveness and chemistry.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Good to see Xavier Chiocci make the squad, he's been in good form from what I have watched of him. Thought that Gillian Galan might make the squad mind.

 

[FrenchFan]

He lastly says just like he picked a large selection from Paris during his mandate at the head of the xv de France, it's good the France staff today are picking a large contingent from one same club, as it brings good cohesiveness and chemistry.

really? with players that have never played together? hard to believe. If they pick Kockott-Tales yes at least the 9-10 combo is club-based but is this partnership competitive at Intl level?
Heard a comment about the list saying how they are back to square one for the 9 and 10 and it's hard to disagree.

 

[Big Ewis]

alors FrenchFan, what do you have to say about those comments from Senor Laporta ? mm ? eh ?

And no no, Laporte is saying that just like when he used to coach France, and he picked a lot of guys from Stade Framboise, so are France picking a lot of guys from Toulon now which is positive as all those guys know each other very well since they play all year together at the club, and THAT brings an element of chemistry to France; to have selected a lot from one particular club.

 

[Big Ewis]

An 8th Toulonnais to replace Nyanga: Virgile Bruni. Can you believe EIGHT Toulonnais in the xv de France ?

Surrender all your stupid clichés. Resistance is futile.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

That must tick off Boudjelel no end.

 

[Big Ewis]

That must tick off Boudjelel no end.

I don't know. It certainly doesn't bother Laporte
http://www.therugbyforum.com/threads/33963-France-EOYT-Thread?p=673782&viewfull=1#post673782

For Boudjellal I'm guessing this is the best possible publicity. He keeps saying his dream is to make a Toulon team with only academy-produced locals and win a ***le with that, wants to prove he's got a true French pride and fiber in him. If this works out alright: the Toulonnais produce well at Test level and Toulon in the meantime has enough depth to continue winning in the Top 14 - he'll be close to absolute happiness, in the heavens.
If it doesn't work out that way, and Toulon notice they've really missed their French internationals in specific qualities, he'll start going crazy with the media again for a week or two..
It's interesting because last year he threatened he wouldn't release his players for France: we're talking Bastareaud and Michalak, two people.

 

[gaston le gaff]

An 8th Toulon player selected for the training camp, before the Autumn Internationals!!!! this surely is not possible are there really 8 Frenchmen at Toulon, it is a miracle. I thought they were all foreigners and mercenaries or so we have been continually told by all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FrenchFan]

Didn't know they had so many true Frenchmen in Toulon. What's going on. Mourad must be cloning them at this stage.

Now the whole world of the self-righteous rugby socialists are really going to hate the guts out les Bleus :lol:

 

[FrenchFan]

I now solemnly propose that Les bleus be renammed as L'armée de Mourad (Mourad's Army) of Little Schroumpfs

C'est Papa PSA Schtroump qui va être content !!!!!!!!!!!!

Incidentally should Mourad make a bid for les Bleus? why can't he buy them since he already owns half of the team?

I'll try keep it down a bit...so as not to wake the rugby socialists..or else we'll get another lecture on how to run the league les bleus make wine love etc

 

[Big Ewis]

"New look" training center in Marcoussis for the xv de France.

Maybe that's why we suck ??...too much going on around the Rugby !

 

[goodNumber10]

"New look" training center in Marcoussis for the xv de France.

Maybe that's why we suck ??...too much going on around the Rugby !

i've played their a few times, in exhibition matches - it's an amazing set up.

 

[Big Ewis]

i've played their a few times, in exhibition matches - it's an amazing set up.

mmm...were you particularly terrible and lost all ability to play with chemistry with your team ?

 

[goodNumber10]

It was one of the last few games i played. The highlight for me was stepping Emile N'tamack in my own half and us going the length of the field to score. He was not impressed.