Challenge Cup - Round 2

[Big Ewis]

Round 2 Fixtures






French times
Staff please let me know if this is fine for standard Challenge threads.



​

 

[Big Ewis]

Ah, Bordeaux look like they want a result this time. They're fielding a side with at very least lots of quality, therefor maybe some ambition too. That's not miles off their best 23 by Top 14 standards, so no "special treatment" (or lack thereof) for the Euro Cup this time. A few guys missing, but it's not a bad 23. Notably in the back line, although Talebula's there.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Talebula is one scary talent. Great to have a weapon you can just bomb the ball into the corners and he will get it.

 

[Big Ewis]

ayo gurl check dis

Snoop Dawg wearin Bordeaux-Bègles representin yo, aww shieeeeeeeeeeet mayn..

 

[Tony Manx]

Ah, Bordeaux look like they want a result this time. They're fielding a side with at very least lots of quality, therefor maybe some ambition too. That's not miles off their best 23 by Top 14 standards, so no "special treatment" (or lack thereof) for the Euro Cup this time. A few guys missing, but it's not a bad 23. Notably in the back line, although Talebula's there.

I am not sure you are fully correct there my friend.....I rather think that Rafa is using this match to keep his guys up to speed and ready for next week....there are a few players who will not be playing in the team to play next week in Paris as otherwise it would be nearly three weeks since they had played. Last week rest, this week runout, next week serious game....................

Edit......did not realise that LW had been found guilty of racial abuse and been ordered to play behind closed doors!!!!!

Edit of Edit.....superb try for Talebula!!

 

[dragos03]

Two spectacular tries for Bordeaux so far.

I thought London Welsh could get their first win of the season today to build some confidence but it looks unlikely now.

 

[Draggs]

Bordeaux playing lovely rugby, a pleasure to watch.

 

[Tony Manx]

Bordeaux playing lovely rugby, a pleasure to watch.

Been like that all season......that is why they are my Top 14 side until Biarritz get back there......could be some time!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

well Bordeaux are a side that's put 50 on Clermont and 60 on Castres. Also beat Racing at home for e.g. They're no joke although I can't watch right now unfortunately..yeah Tony this isn't their best side at all, there are absentees, but starting now France flyhalf Pierre Bernard and wing star Talebula along with solid names throughout, I do think they came with lots more ambition than other French teams in this cup or even themselves last week.
London Welsh SUCKKKK though I see. Took only monumental POUNDINGS in prem, even at home, and they're dead last...

 

[Tony Manx]

Yann Lesgourges......the future French scrum half.....indeed, why not RWC 2015!!!! Brilliant play tonight so far................

 

[Big Ewis]

Yann Lesgourges......the future French scrum half.....indeed, why not RWC 2015!!!! Brilliant play tonight so far................

yeah I'm here now, will try to watch some of the 2nd half. About SH's in France:
well when you think Parra with everything he does beyond mere SH duties is being left out of the Test group, with Machenaud the on-form French 9 who does everything for an on-form club also not to partake, and whether a poach or not Kockott is headlining atm with an excellent Tilous-Bordes right behind him. Doussain the reigning Toulousain player of the year isn't even in the conversations anymore, while on Montypellier's side alone Pélissié and Paillaugue have passed consideration with that new kid Iribaren an excellent SH in the making with more than classic SH play already at his young age stepping and distributing with class. Even in Bordeaux, the player in question Lesgourgues has a very nice young prospect in the name of Serin (France U20) backing him up who I'd see a nomination for the xv de France in the next gen.
Not to mention a host of others with Julien Audy in La Rochelle leading the Top 14 in points scored and a very relevant talent for example or Eric Escande now with Toulon...

 

[Big Ewis]

whaaaat A TRY BY PIERRE BERNARD OMG UNBELIEVABABUBBLE !!!!

 

[TheSaffycen]

well Bordeaux are a side that's put 50 on Clermont and 60 on Castres. Also beat Racing at home for e.g. They're no joke although I can't watch right now unfortunately..yeah Tony this isn't their best side at all, there are absentees, but starting now France flyhalf Pierre Bernard and wing star Talebula along with solid names throughout, I do think they came with lots more ambition than other French teams in this cup or even themselves last week.
London Welsh SUCKKKK though I see. Took only monumental POUNDINGS in prem, even at home, and they're dead last...

Just wait until the 60th minute. Welsh normally concede 3 tries in the last quater, with their best team........

 

[Big Ewis]

yeah okay, Talebula to Domvo who jogs in another one. I'm out. Got a tasty France Argentina EOYT 2008 waiting on mah hard drive...

 

[Tony Manx]

yeah okay, Talebula to Domvo who jogs in another one. I'm out. Got a tasty France Argentina EOYT 2008 waiting on mah hard drive...

Me too...............Peaky boys!!

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

the edinburgh team to face Lyon, and Guess who's back, back again, yes Denton is back!

Edinburgh: Tonks, Fife, Beard, Strauss, Visser, Burleigh, Hidlago-Clyne; Dickinson, Ford, Nel, Bresler, Gilchrist (capt), Grant, Watson, Leonardi.

Replacements: Hilterbrand, Del, Andress, Toolis, Denton, Kennedy, Heathcote, McLennan.

 

[Big Ewis]

lol, decimation of the French teams. Only team that won was the one playing another French team Brive losing at home to a fkng Italian club, ahhhh fkk !! At least they scored 3 tries...but seeing the team they put out, no wonder...I seriously ask serious questions about this Cup. What's the point of participating if the goal isn't to win ? At any competition whatsoever. Trying out the youngsters and rotating the contingent ? Right. How fitting. Stade Frangipane losing handsomely at home to some average English club last year in an elimination game...it's the same Stade Framboise that beats Toulon and Clermont during the Top 14 season (not the guys on the field, the club generally I mean).



Actually...LYON scored 2 tries to 1 away to a side with internationals, with a B team...pretty damn impressive.
But Grenoble, 0 tries to 4 at home, pretty bad...I'm not being of bad faith, but I can only imagine that either their B side is awful or they're really not committed to this thing at all...

 

[Tony Manx]

Actually...LYON scored 2 tries to 1 away to a side with internationals, with a B team...pretty damn impressive.
But Grenoble, 0 tries to 4 at home, pretty bad...I'm not being of bad faith, but I can only imagine that either their B side is awful or they're really not committed to this thing at all...

..think that testament as to why they are in this competition.....their squad do not have the depth or quality to allow a challege over the whole season for the top six to qualify for a competition that matters!!

 

[gaston le gaff]

The Challenge will never be taken seriuosly in France as it normally involves the bottom half of the table and their only concern is playing TOP 14 next season, so you are always going to get a mixture of second string, Espoirs, and one or two regular first teamers. The only time when it created interest was when the 3 teams came down to it from the H Cup directly into the 1/4ers. Watched the La Rochelle v Bayonne game on Beinsport which was good and infront of a nearly full house should be fun next week when we are there. Lots of excellent restos in La Rochelle and even Guiness, so fairly near to paradise and we are there for 3 days magnificent.!!!

 

[munstermuffin]

The Challenge will never be taken seriuosly in France as it normally involves the bottom half of the table and their only concern is playing TOP 14 next season, so you are always going to get a mixture of second string, Espoirs, and one or two regular first teamers. The only time when it created interest was when the 3 teams came down to it from the H Cup directly into the 1/4ers. Watched the La Rochelle v Bayonne game on Beinsport which was good and infront of a nearly full house should be fun next week when we are there. Lots of excellent restos in La Rochelle and even Guiness, so fairly near to paradise and we are there for 3 days magnificent.!!!

Worst bit is there's no carrot of pathway to main competition and with less money in it than in domestic leagues why would many take it serious.