Top 14 Day 13

[Big Ewis]

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
<tbody>[TR="class: infoboxheadlite"]
[TH="colspan: 4"]13e Journée


[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow"]
[TD="class: textcenter"]29/11[/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter"]20:45[/TD]
[TD="class: textright"]Perpignan
[/TD]
[TD]ASM Clermont[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: textcenter"]30/11[/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter"]14:55[/TD]
[TD="class: textright"]Stade Frelimo
[/TD]
[TD]Rugby Club Toulonnais[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow"]
[TD="class: textcenter"] - [/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter"]18:30[/TD]
[TD="class: textright"]Biarritz Olympique
[/TD]
[TD]Union Bordeaux-Bègles[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: textcenter"] - [/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter"]18:30[/TD]
[TD="class: textright"]Castres Olympique
[/TD]
[TD]Aviron Bayonnais[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow"]
[TD="class: textcenter"] -
[/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter"]18:30[/TD]
[TD="class: textright"]Oyonnax
[/TD]
[TD]CA Brive-Corrèze[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: textcenter"] -
[/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter"]18:30[/TD]
[TD="class: textright"]Racing Métro 92
[/TD]
[TD]Montpellier Hérault Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow"]
[TD="class: textcenter"] -
[/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter"]20:35[/TD]
[TD="class: textright"]Grenoble
[/TD]
[TD]Stade Toulousain[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]



Under direct orders of Tony Manx, yet another nickname for our favorite Parisian team.
Personally, I'm completely out of it. I've been re-calibrated to international Autumn tests, and can't tweak the clock back to domestic. It's going to take a bit of time...

 

[gaston le gaff]

After training on Tuesday and feeling the general opinion of all players during and after training i will boldly change my predictions for week 13 and keep all home wins bar Montpellier who will go to Racing and take a minimum of 4 pts but there could be more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A bold and brave step into predictions but just cant sit on the fence for this one
My Life is on the Line!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

mmm, I barely know Grenoble but they seem to be holding their own. But yeah, let's say all home victories, entirely.

 

[Tony Manx]

Thanks BE for the post………..

This is the Biarritz team for the match against Bordeaux in a freezing Basque Country tomorrow night!

Synaeghel, Genevois, Gomez-Kodela, Lund E., Marie, Guyot, Molcard, Harinordoquy ( c). Lesgourgues Yachvili Brew Baby Burotu Ngwenya Traille
Subs Dabti, Menini, Lockley, Fono, Furno, Roussarie,Waenga, Broster

Yach is back having missed last weeks win at Brive to play at 10 whilst the, so far this season, excellent Waenga drops to the bench for no reason that I know of!

Traille continues at 15 in the absence of Couet Lannes (no reason) and the rather useless, so far this season, Pieterson (injured)!

I wonder if the management will risk substituting the ageing Imanol during the match as the replacements are equally as good but he is probably untouchable a la Traille and he was named in the team of the week last weekend by Rugbyrama!

This is going to be another hard encounter against one of my second favourite teams led by the inestimable Ibanez who, with his team has extended his contract at the helm of UBB. However, the surge is on and, with home advantage and the halfway point being reached, I have to go with BO!

Predicting in the Top 14 is always difficult not knowing what the away teams' often hidden agenda are but I will go against the Gaston and say away wins for all except UBB and Bayonne………………no doubt I am totally wrong but hey there are another 13 rounds left to get it right again!!

PS only game being televised this weekend on BT Sport is dear olf Stade Frelimo at 13.30 UK Time with repeat at 19.45!

 

[Tony Manx]

USAP 23 Clermont 30...............that is my prediction still in tact but.........................!!!

 

[gaston le gaff]

Le XV de départ: Berard ; Ranger, Ebersohn, Olivier, Tuitavake ; (o) Trinh-Duc, (m) Pélissié ; Gorgodze, Beattie, Bias ; Tchale-Watchou, Hamilton ; Mas, Geli, Nariashvili.
Remplaçants: Ivaldi, Bustos, Privat, Galletier, Paillaugue, Audrin, Sicart, Leleimalefaga.

Montpellier team to play Racing this afternoon 18.30 KO. Looks pretty good to me the backs AND WE HAVE ALL OUR FORWARDS BACK look superb can they play like a unit we shall see mind you Racing are fielding a pretty strong team so the game could be a classic.

 

[Tony Manx]

As well as the end of the 100% for my predictions for this week, have we seen the changing of the baton as Plisson steps past the woeful Michalak to score in the 58th minute to put Stade up to 16 points to zip against another poor display from Toulon overall and Michalak in particular!

 

[Tony Manx]

Humiliation complete!! Bad selection, scrum destroyed, liine out inadequate, missed tackles, inability to catch the KO, inability to work with the ref and finally unable to work out how to close down a rolling maul legally! One great try and one lucky one against three from UBB.............says it all really! Luckily that could be my last live match to watch the elder (too elderly) triumvirate of past internationals fail to realise that they should move on and allow younger players with more heart and energy to rescue some pride out of an abysmal season that will now inevitably result in relegation! 15-22!!

 

[Big Ewis]

yes, ouch BO. I like what Clermont did. They showed if they bring a fine team and play to win they can expect good results against a solid side away from home.

 

[Tony Manx]

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
<tbody>[TR="class: altrow, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]30/11/2013[/TD]
[TD="class: textright, align: right"]Grenoble[/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]25 - 18[/TD]
[TD="class: textleft"]Stade Toulousain[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: textright, align: right"]Biarritz Olympique[/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]15 - 22[/TD]
[TD="class: textleft"]Union Bordeaux-Bègles[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: textright, align: right"]Castres Olympique[/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]46 - 16[/TD]
[TD="class: textleft"]Aviron Bayonnais[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: textright, align: right"]Oyonnax[/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]26 - 9[/TD]
[TD="class: textleft"]CA Brive-Corrèze[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: textright, align: right"]Racing Métro 92[/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]17 - 12[/TD]
[TD="class: textleft"]Montpellier Hérault Rugby[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: textright, align: right"]Stade Frelimo[/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]23 - 0[/TD]
[TD="class: textleft"]Rugby Club Toulonnais[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]29/11/2013[/TD]
[TD="class: textright, align: right"]Perpignan[/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]23 - 30[/TD]
[TD="class: textleft"]ASM Clermont[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

[TABLE="class: statstab, width: 100%"]
<tbody>[TR="class: infoboxheadlite, bgcolor: #E9EAEA"]
[TH="class: textcenter, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #FFFFFF"][/TH]
[TH="class: textcenter, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]Pts[/TH]
[TH="class: textcenter, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]J[/TH]
[TH="class: textcenter, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]G[/TH]
[TH="class: textcenter, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]N[/TH]
[TH="class: textcenter, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]P[/TH]
[TH="class: textcenter, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]p[/TH]
[TH="class: textcenter, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]c[/TH]
[TH="class: textcenter, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]+/-[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]ASM Clermont[/TD]
[TD]40[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]374[/TD]
[TD]270[/TD]
[TD]104[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: textcenter"]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]Stade Toulousain[/TD]
[TD]36[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]273[/TD]
[TD]214[/TD]
[TD]59[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]Castres Olympique[/TD]
[TD]36[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]301[/TD]
[TD]226[/TD]
[TD]75[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: textcenter"]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]Rugby Club Toulonnais[/TD]
[TD]36[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]319[/TD]
[TD]229[/TD]
[TD]90[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]Stade Frelimo[/TD]
[TD]35[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]255[/TD]
[TD]245[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: textcenter"]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]Montpellier Hérault Rugby[/TD]
[TD]34[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]315[/TD]
[TD]242[/TD]
[TD]73[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]Grenoble[/TD]
[TD]33[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]248[/TD]
[TD]283[/TD]
[TD]-35[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: textcenter"]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]Racing Métro 92[/TD]
[TD]31[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]213[/TD]
[TD]266[/TD]
[TD]-53[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]Perpignan[/TD]
[TD]30[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]267[/TD]
[TD]276[/TD]
[TD]-9[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: textcenter"]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]Union Bordeaux-Bègles[/TD]
[TD]30[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]310[/TD]
[TD]315[/TD]
[TD]-5[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]CA Brive-Corrèze[/TD]
[TD]28[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]259[/TD]
[TD]268[/TD]
[TD]-9[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: textcenter"]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]Aviron Bayonnais[/TD]
[TD]25[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]217[/TD]
[TD]332[/TD]
[TD]-115[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]Oyonnax[/TD]
[TD]25[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]224[/TD]
[TD]284[/TD]
[TD]-60[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: textcenter"]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]Biarritz Olympique[/TD]
[TD]17[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]172[/TD]
[TD]297[/TD]
[TD]-125[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

Next three matches for BO........Clermont (a), Montpellier (a) and Stade f...... it (h) followed by Oyonnax (h), Toulon (a) and Toulouse (h)!!!! Well we were the last team to win at ASM!!!!

 

[gaston le gaff]

Montpellier come away from the weekend with one point only, when 4 were there for the taking. Once again we squandered chances left right and centre loosing 7 line outs which did not help. We are stll in contact with the top but can not afford to many more slips ups, after the H Cup Leicester away then home, we have Tulon , tough!!!!!!!!!! then the match that we at Montpellier have been waiting for all season after the "Great Serge Robbery" of 24th Aug. BO on our patch, our rules, and our Ref!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! can't wait only if its to wind Tony up for the next 3 weeks!!!!!!!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

loooooooool even on the rankings table, Paris gets the Tony treatment ! I think it's become so big now that we'll need to interview you on the history of the thing !
Very happy with the table so far. Clermont and Toulouse with Castres in at third looks absolutely perfect for me. Would like to see the USAP a little higher though.
MP's definitely been the most inconsistent team this year, whether entirely their fault or not; I mean by that their results have depended on tough fixtures as well. But they haven't performed at the same level at all. They looked like they were going to just eat up the whole Top 14 at the start.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Outclass Clermont and Toulouse by a country mile then so many crap results were we should have won, eg. BO, Bayonne, Castres and Racing all matches we should have got more points, but still in with a good shout for qualification, only 8 pts between the 2nd and and 11th so still anybodies game there for the taking he who looses non at home and wins a couple away will be there at the end.

 

[Tony Manx]

Montpellier come away from the weekend with one point only, when 4 were there for the taking. Once again we squandered chances left right and centre loosing 7 line outs which did not help.

I think that maybe "losing".................slow down, dear boy, slow down!!

.........then the match that we at Montpellier have been waiting for all season after the "Great Serge Robbery" of 24th Aug. BO on our patch, our rules, and our Ref!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! can't wait only if its to wind Tony up for the next 3 weeks!!!!!!!!!

As to winding me up...you are more than welcome to try but, as is clear, I am resigned to the fate of losing every game so hold as little hope out of being wound up as having an away win against your second team even with the ref on our side, which just never seems to happen to us!

Must admit, clubs having been given two Saturdays off in November, they now face two trips away (one just before and one just after Xmas) and then a home match just 4 or 5 days with us playing ASM, you and then Stade which all seems crazy to me.........I do not mean the quality of our opposition (although that could have been better arranged when the fixtures were being organised Serge!!) but the lack of recuperation time!

No wonder the French clubs have to have basically two teams, at least those that can afford it!!

Incidentally on that, I would point out that we have had a minimum of 7/10 squad players out injured for any one game this season and there are at least 5/6 injured who will not be ready to play for at least another month included in those figures...that is a fact rather than an excuse and the lack of medical jokers just shows the precarious financial position of the club (and certainly not enough in the coffers to out bid you for the ref last August or for the game in December)!!!

 

[gaston le gaff]

I agree entirely about the matches and how the calendar is arranged, but that you have to thank Canal + for lots of it, and of course the LNR, plus matches on the 21/22 Dec is ok but the Sun. 29th everybody plays a couple of days before the 31st not great. Far too many games in a year/season if you take a regular French International / club player 26 top 14 games, H CUP up to 6 + then +2/3 playoff games +3 Autumn Internationals +5 x 6 nations and 3 internationals in the summer thats 46 games i know no player plays every single game but the speed and the physical side of the game gives little chance or no chance at all for recuparation, hence massive squads which are quickly depleted by injury eg BO's present state of affairs. Isee our players alll the time and some are now just knackered and need time to rest but there is no time, Pro status Pro Money, money, money, money, and now Montpellier want Cory Jane, great but expensive.

 

[Big Ewis]

Pro status Pro Money, money, money, money, and now Montpellier want Cory Jane, great but expensive.

I dunno....his name just sounds too feminine...but he is one sexy winger.
But honestly though, now it's just getting ridiculous and we all see where this is going. Well, we've been seeing it for a while now, but the league will turn into an absolute put of monsters with super teams in every corner of the Top 14. Toulon are by far the most ridiculous at doing that, but others follow suit, naturally. And speaking of "natural", they're completely messing with the natural balance in things badly, and I guess it's just too late now.

Maybe we're witnessing a premature end to French int'l Rugby ?
Lagisquet and Bru and Saint-André and co. are talking about talks in process but who the fk believes in that...we look worse and worse as a team, and we only stay competitive because we've got above average int'l players who can make a difference individually, but never ever ever has France been at such a low point in cohesiveness and chemistry. We looked funny in parts, downright funny against Tonga despite the 4 tries.
I guess there's a point when the Six Nations and Test Matches will really just become a formality and then it's right back to the "real deal"....the domestic league, the Top 14 and Bouclier de Brennus.

 

[gaston le gaff]

I dunno....his name just sounds too feminine...but he is one sexy winger. But honestly though, now it's just getting ridiculous and we all see where this is going. Well, we've been seeing it for a while now, but the league will turn into an absolute put of monsters with super teams in every corner of the Top 14. Toulon are by far the most ridiculous at doing that, but others follow suit, naturally. And speaking of "natural", they're completely messing with the natural balance in things badly, and I guess it's just too late now. I guess there's a point when the Six Nations and Test Matches will really just become a formality and then it's right back to the "real deal"....the domestic league, the Top 14 and Bouclier de Brennus.

I have been saying all along that the real rugby is the TOP 14 if you brought international rugby out of corporate Paris there would be more reason to follow but that will never happen, the tradition is that the rugby pitch is in hearing distance of the church bells, especially in the south west, your average TOP 14 supporter is one of wisdom and knows the rules well most of them, the atmosphere is excellent in nearly all stadiums, Clermont being by far the best. the ultimate prize is the Bouclier de Brennus no one outside of France understands the importance of this trophy, you now see what the clubs are doing to try and win this sacred piece of silverware (made of wood and bronze.) The Presidents are not lining their pockets signing these International stars nor are they providing them for their supporters , but does help to keep the attendences up, there are there solely for the prrpose of winning the Bouclier and only one team per year can do that, how much tears and money have Clermont spent before their victory in 2009.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tony Manx]

Maybe we're witnessing a premature end to French int'l Rugby ?
Lagisquet and Bru and Saint-André and co. are talking about talks in process but who the fk believes in that..

Announced today that the FFR and LNR have reached an agreement and the details will be released on Friday, 6th December and included in that will, I suggest, be details as to players' release for the National team......

 

[Big Ewis]

Announced today that the FFR and LNR have reached an agreement and the details will be released on Friday, 6th December and included in that will, I suggest, be details as to players' release for the National team......

really ??...there's nothing about this one Rugbyrama or lnr or Planet Rugby...are you serious, coz that would be the most horrible of jokes !!

 

[Tony Manx]

really ??...there's nothing about this one Rugbyrama or lnr or Planet Rugby...are you serious, coz that would be the most horrible of jokes !!

Funnily enough was on Rugbyrama but it seems now to have been taken off.......................maybe they got a touch of premature..............?