TOP 14 Day 10

[gaston le gaff]

This weekends fixtures last one before the 2 weekends of Euro rugby TOP 14 back on Sunday 27th Dec all fixtures the same day.


Du 4 au 6 Décembre 2015 [TABLE="class: classic-table matchs-table hr-link-table"]
<tbody>[TR="class: before"]
[TD="class: cell-date"] 04/12[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-team-a"] SP
15[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-logo-a"]

[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-before-score"][/TD]
[TD="class: cell-score"] 20h45[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-after-score"][/TD]
[TD="class: cell-logo-b"]

[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-team-b"] R92
15[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: before"]
[TD="class: cell-date"] 05/12[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-team-a"] RCT
53[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-logo-a"]

[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-before-score"][/TD]
[TD="class: cell-score"] 14h45[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-after-score"][/TD]
[TD="class: cell-logo-b"]

[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-team-b"] SUA
23[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: before"]
[TD="class: cell-date"] 05/12[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-team-a"] CO
34[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-logo-a"]

[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-before-score"][/TD]
[TD="class: cell-score"] 18h30[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-after-score"][/TD]
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[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-team-b"] MHR
19[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: before"]
[TD="class: cell-date"] 05/12[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-team-a"] ASR
33[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-logo-a"]

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[TD="class: cell-score"] 18h30[/TD]
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[TD="class: cell-team-b"] FCG
16[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: before"]
[TD="class: cell-date"] 05/12[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-team-a"] SFP
21[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-logo-a"]

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[TD="class: cell-score"] 18h30[/TD]
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[TD="class: cell-team-b"] UBB
24[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: before"]
[TD="class: cell-date"] 05/12[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-team-a"] ST
27[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-logo-a"]

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[TD="class: cell-before-score"][/TD]
[TD="class: cell-score"] 20h45[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-after-score"][/TD]
[TD="class: cell-logo-b"]

[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-team-b"] USO
3[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: before"]
[TD="class: cell-date"] 06/12[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-team-a"] CAB
21
[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-logo-a"]

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[TD="class: cell-before-score"][/TD]
[TD="class: cell-score"] 16h15[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-after-score"][/TD]
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[/TD]
[TD="class: cell-team-b"] ASM
26
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Hopefully another away win for Racing. We need to win seeing as we are incapable of securing bonus points of any nature. Its simply incredable that Clermont are ahead of us on the log dispite 2 less wins. The Stormers suffer from the exact same. Why do I support these teams!!?!

 

[gaston le gaff]

The problem with Racing is that their strength is the pack, so probably less tries scored but with the inclusion of Dan Carter this could well change, although he is not God he may bring an attacking side to Racing that we have not yet seen. Normally we would be playing them on the weekend 9th Jan but that weekend is now for the cancelled Euro games (Paris terrorist attacks) so i think it has been rescheduled for one of the 6 Nation dates in Feb or March.
As far as the match at Pau, i think evryone will be looking for points when they visit. Pau are in a mess and despite the WC Cup players that have now arrived it will be a massive efffort to get them out of their hole, but at the moment the money is on Oyonnax and Agen to be relegated, but that can change.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Carter could potentially be huge for Racing I agree. I also agree one cannot expect him to carry the team or turn the way Racing plays on its head. We don't even need Carter to be firing on all cilinders though. Astute game management and a better % at goals should have seen Racing at 8 from 9 and topping the log at this stage IMO. We should get that from 80% of Carter. I hope?

Aside from Carter, all fit Racing does possess the class to play to the backs; add Machenaud, Dumoulin, Thomas and Dulin to the mix... Big names (okay so maybe Thomas and Dumoulin aren't 50 cappers yet) and a few exciting runners among them... it just doesn't seem to always gel and we don't have that quality in depth in the backs we do in the forwards. Here's hoping our front liners are all available and Carter is the missing tonic!

Racing in the same situation as last season. Trying to play both Top14 and Euro without the depth needed.. I feel a bit loony saying that considering.

 

[gaston le gaff]

You are about right but the one thing that maybe is missing is the way the TOP 14 is played, even with a great team eg Toulon and all its stars there are loses as there will be with Racing and others. Even the smaller teams and no insult to them have unbelievable defences, just look at Brive and their try scoring very few, but they get the penalties and they are kicked by thier fullball Germaine. Toulon are the only team with perhaps Clermont who can really play both Euro and the TOP 14 well.
You will more than likely see teams like Brive start losing after Christmas when they start to get fatigued and more injuries, look at Grenoble every year its the same.
The Top 14 is a fantastic championship and with all the world class stars playing great to watch every week, we had both Du Plessis at training on Monday although Jannie is not match fit Bismark will be on the bench Sat, and looking forward to it, who could ask for more from the clubs they support

 

[Tony Manx]

Just reverting back to the possibility of Pau being relegated.....I think with Smith and Slade's arrival together with the talent already assembled and the continuing backing of Total, Pau will avoid relegation this year! Indeed, with the money available from such a sponsor, they might just become the team that that part of France needs so desperately?!!

 

[gaston le gaff]

Just reverting back to the possibility of Pau being relegated.....I think with Smith and Slade's arrival together with the talent already assembled and the continuing backing of Total, Pau will avoid relegation this year! Indeed, with the money available from such a sponsor, they might just become the team that that part of France needs so desperately?!!

the problem is there will be 4 or 5 teams fighting that relegation battle by the end of the season and the last day of the season you have Agen v Oyonnax, now that could be interesting. As far as Pau are concercerned i think they should just about survive but the coming months Jan Feb March normally sorts out some of the indecisions, fatigue and injuries becoming much more relevant. You look at the performance of Brive, not great to watch but very effective, they will lose more games but will survive and there are not many stars in Brive's squad.

 

[FrenchFan]

You are about right but the one thing that maybe is missing is the way the TOP 14 is played, even with a great team eg Toulon and all its stars there are loses as there will be with Racing and others. Even the smaller teams and no insult to them have unbelievable defences, just look at Brive and their try scoring very few, but they get the penalties and they are kicked by thier fullball Germaine. Toulon are the only team with perhaps Clermont who can really play both Euro and the TOP 14 well.
You will more than likely see teams like Brive start losing after Christmas when they start to get fatigued and more injuries, look at Grenoble every year its the same.

I agree. This season when you look at the squads closely, only Toulon can chase the double.

Clermont I'm not so sure. They will give it a go but it could be their undoing. The parisians have too many new players. SF have fallen behind and will focus on the league. CCup would derail their season.
Toulouse are definitely not in the race for chasing both T14 and Europe. Europe is not an objective this season. We will exit quietly and focus on the league. With the squad containing 11 kids it's best.

- - - Updated - - -

the problem is there will be 4 or 5 teams fighting that relegation battle by the end of the season and the last day of the season you have Agen v Oyonnax, now that could be interesting. As far as Pau are concercerned i think they should just about survive but the coming months Jan Feb March normally sorts out some of the indecisions, fatigue and injuries becoming much more relevant. You look at the performance of Brive, not great to watch but very effective, they will lose more games but will survive and there are not many stars in Brive's squad.

Right now looking at it Oyo and Agen are right candidates for relegation. Oyo have sacked their coach too early in the season IMO. It'll be hard for them. What are they doing in the CCup? It's not a comp for them.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Exactly the Euro CC is 6 games too many for them, against very tough opposition the 2 Jan ties are going to hurt them with fatigue and injuries, plus now there is another date for the TOP 14 day 13 which will be during the 6 Nations more complications, not forgetting off course the coaching problem they have, they lost too much last season with Urios and El abad going to Castres + losing several key players. Until the LNR decide to lessen the no. of games the Euro CC will only be contested by a couple of teams from France. We have always said that the Bouclier and survival in the Top 14 is way too important for the French teams, but probably we are only a few who understand this!!!!

- - - Updated - - -

 

[gaston le gaff]

teams for tomorrows match, with 4 ex Montpellerians now playing for Castres, never had great success at Castres but it's got to change one day. note my most dearest of Saffas...... Bismark Du Plessis on the bench, and Malzieu playing centre with Jimmy ??? maybe thats Jakes trump card!!! and new boy McKintosh on the bench he only arrived this week.

Le XV de départ de Castres: Palis ; Caminati, Combezou, Lamerat, Smith ; (o) Dumora, (m) Kockott ; Bias, Tulou, Faasalele ; Gray, Capo Ortega ; Wihongi, Mach, Lazar.

Remplaçants: Rallier, Montès, Samson, Beattie, Dupont, Martial, Vialelle, Taumoepeau;


Le XV de départ de Montpellier: Fall ; Mogg, Nagusa, Malzieu, O'Connor ; (o) Catrakilis, (m) White ; W. Du Plessis, Qera, Battut ; Tchale-Watchou, Willemse ; Mas, Geli, Nariashvili.

Remplaçants: B. Du Plessis, McKintosh, Privat, Galletier, Paillaugue, Lucas, Ebersohn, Cilliers.

 

[Brushie]

Good win for Les Jaunards today at Brive, however RCT are already beginning to look ominously good. At the risk of possibly digging up old arguments (& sorry if this has been asked before) but how can they assemble such a squad within the salary cap?

 

[gaston le gaff]

Firstly in France it's illegal to go beyond the salary cap,There is a organisation called DNACG which is like the tax police for sporting bodies, you are not allowed to compete with a negative budget, see Tarbes they are relegated next season and subtracted 15 pts so thy are going down anyway. What many people do not realise is that the players are on much less than the press states, but don't get me wrong they are payed very well.There are many ways of staying inside the salary cap which is 10 million €'s. This could be touching on illegal but there are loopholes in every tax laws and reforms, always exploited by companies with excellent administration. If you look at Racing they are paying Carter 1.4 million (as stated in the press) so that leaves only 8.6 to pay 40+ players so ask the same question of Racing.
Rugby is big business in France but only a couple of clubs make money or even break even so they have to be very careful on how they use their finanaces. Clubs are controlled every season by the DNACG so it is never easy to hide any monkey business.
but as yet we have not created a marquee player system ......NOT YET.!!!!

 

[Tony Manx]

Firstly in France it's illegal to go beyond the salary cap,There is a organisation called DNACG which is like the tax police for sporting bodies, you are not allowed to compete with a negative budget, see Tarbes they are relegated next season and subtracted 15 pts so thy are going down anyway. What many people do not realise is that the players are on much less than the press states, but don't get me wrong they are payed very well.There are many ways of staying inside the salary cap which is 10 million â'¬'s. This could be touching on illegal but there are loopholes in every tax laws and reforms, always exploited by companies with excellent administration. If you look at Racing they are paying Carter 1.4 million (as stated in the press) so that leaves only 8.6 to pay 40+ players so ask the same question of Racing.
Rugby is big business in France but only a couple of clubs make money or even break even so they have to be very careful on how they use their finanaces. Clubs are controlled every season by the DNACG so it is never easy to hide any monkey business.
but as yet we have not created a marquee player system ......NOT YET.!!!!

Hope this is not a case of here we go again!! Same old same old.......

 

[gaston le gaff]

The guy has only posted 6 times so give him the benefit of doubt, just hope all and sundry don't jump back on the bandwagon. Hows it going Tony, back in the UK for good now????

 

[Tony Manx]

Cold and wet!!! Flooding turned a 15 minute journey into an hour driving home last Thursday night and nearly a month with no sign of the sun!!!!

Friends kindly sent me pictures of up in the Pyrenees and on the beach near Biarritz, both of yesterday in 20+ degrees!!

 

[Brushie]

Hope this is not a case of here we go again!! Same old same old.......

I did apologise in advance in case this matter had been raised before....it obviously has, but I also thank Gaston for his comprehensive answer.
Yes we have the marquee player in the UK, but RCT's squad is such that they have several players that would be classed as 'marquee' in the UK. Best to leave it at that I guess

 

[Tony Manx]

I did apologise in advance in case this matter had been raised before....it obviously has, but I also thank Gaston for his comprehensive answer.
Yes we have the marquee player in the UK, but RCT's squad is such that they have several players that would be classed as 'marquee' in the UK. Best to leave it at that I guess

Sorry for my apparent rudeness! On mobile device and it does not show that you are a new guy here!!

This subject has been gone over as nauseum on this forum and just presumed the fire was being poked again!!!

Gaston normally reacts similarly to me but obviously realized you were genuinely interested! He is the guy that really knows all about these types of things in French rugby!!

 

[Brushie]

Sorry for my apparent rudeness! On mobile device and it does not show that you are a new guy here!!

This subject has been gone over as nauseum on this forum and just presumed the fire was being poked again!!!

Gaston normally reacts similarly to me but obviously realized you were genuinely interested! He is the guy that really knows all about these types of things in French rugby!!

No worries Tony.....I was being a bit lazy I guess, as I could've tried the search function.

Anyway.....allez le Clermontois eh :^)

 

[gaston le gaff]

Just to add to what i have said previously, what really happens is often ignored by the press or they just second guess everything, eg today rugbyrame reported in Aug that Ali Williams was joining the coaching staff of Racing but today he is the the high class babytsitter of Dan Carter for all media affairs, no more no less, so beware of what is written in the press i deal with the press week in week out at Montpellier and can tell you if they do not know they will make it up, if it comes from me it will be truthful but i can't release anything befoe the club does officially. Hope this enlightens you a little more on a delicate subject.

 

[Brushie]

Just to add to what i have said previously, what really happens is often ignored by the press or they just second guess everything, eg today rugbyrame reported in Aug that Ali Williams was joining the coaching staff of Racing but today he is the the high class babytsitter of Dan Carter for all media affairs, no more no less, so beware of what is written in the press i deal with the press week in week out at Montpellier and can tell you if they do not know they will make it up, if it comes from me it will be truthful but i can't release anything befoe the club does officially. Hope this enlightens you a little more on a delicate subject.

Thanks for the explanation Gaston. Sad, but not entirely surprising to hear that the French press are not very different to here in the UK. The truth comes a distant second to 'publish & be damned' when it comes to selling newspapers.