Top 14 Day 18

[gaston le gaff]

Clermont extend to 72 wins at home sans defaite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Montpellier move to 4th after great win in Toulouse, and someone said Montpellier has "NO HEART"
Maybe be time to start eating their hats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

Of course Toulouse blame the FFR and LNR immediately for the loss....sure, they're partially right, but ehhhhhh

 

[munstermuffin]

Clermont extend to 72 wins at home sans defaite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Montpellier move to 4th after great win in Toulouse, and someone said Montpellier has "NO HEART"
Maybe be time to start eating their hats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That was me and they beat a far from strong Toulouse team???
Don't think it proves/disproves anything

 

[Tony Manx]

Well done to the Gaston!!

Anyone laying odds on BO avoiding the drop.....Toulouse next!!!

 

[gaston le gaff]

That was me and they beat a far from strong Toulouse team???
Don't think it proves/disproves anything

It proves everything, that never should anyone knock a club on 1 or 2 games, this is another reason why i never entered in the discussion, as no one can make a realistic comment on 2 H Cup. We also had 5 internationals away and far more injured than Toulouse, the media often forget to print that, the list is mentioned above, so we were in a worse place and playing away from home so it does prove an awful lot, read the articles on the game and the word Heart is used in plentyful for Montpellier's performance, and that has nothing to do with me, i only write articles on the Montpellier site. Not many teams go to Toulouse and come away with a win that was their first home defeat this season.
Anyway we may just have to agree or disagree i know the facts and everyone has their right to their own opinion.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Of course Toulouse blame the FFR and LNR immediately for the loss....sure, they're partially right, but ehhhhhh

They do blame both parties but the President was more in anger about next week (TOP 14) because the new treaty the 2 parties signed states that the FFR can have players rested although there are no 6 Nations games next weekend, not all players but some.
Noves the Toulouse coach is always crying to the authorities, about something or other we had more players missing than Toulouse as our injury list is longer, also Toulouse forgot to mention Pelous under 20's team manager and ex Toulouse gave back Camara on Sat from the under 20's squad so he could play against Monpellier..... funny that!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[wertas]

What about Parra? Seems he is fit and played for Clermont. Any chance to see him in this years Six Nations?

 

[gaston le gaff]

What about Parra? Seems he is fit and played for Clermont. Any chance to see him in this years Six Nations?

They said, the selectors that is, he could well be included maybe the next game, more than likely on the bench and he did score all the points for Clermont yesterday 25, including the only try. It is only a matter of time before he is included in the squad, now he has proved his fitness this weekend was probably a little too early.

 

[munstermuffin]

It proves everything, that never should anyone knock a club on 1 or 2 games, this is another reason why i never entered in the discussion, as no one can make a realistic comment on 2 H Cup. We also had 5 internationals away and far more injured than Toulouse, the media often forget to print that, the list is mentioned above, so we were in a worse place and playing away from home so it does prove an awful lot, read the articles on the game and the word Heart is used in plentyful for Montpellier's performance, and that has nothing to do with me, i only write articles on the Montpellier site. Not many teams go to Toulouse and come away with a win that was their first home defeat this season.
Anyway we may just have to agree or disagree i know the facts and everyone has their right to their own opinion.

We will agree to disagree. But I based it over 3 seasons in HEC

 

[gaston le gaff]

As I have said over and over again French priority is the TOP 14 ALWAYS HAS BEEN ALWAYS WILL BE.
When all the teams in Europe play a week in week out Championship of high quality then and only then can the same priorities be given to the H Cup.

 

[munstermuffin]

As I have said over and over again French priority is the TOP 14 ALWAYS HAS BEEN ALWAYS WILL BE.
When all the teams in Europe play a week in week out Championship of high quality then and only then can the same priorities be given to the H Cup.

Well if that is it fair enough I speak from a HEC point of view and my annoyance that French clubs don't treat it as a premier competition. And not sticking to money but no league will be same as Top 14 due to that very reason

 

[gaston le gaff]

But why would you treat it as premium when you have better and more important at home, the money thing keeps coming up you have to understand it is the norm in France and will still like that for years to come, it is not Frances problem if finances are not as equal in the UK, and no i wil not be tempted into discussion on that old carrott. As soon as there is an European competion where qualification is on merit and merit alone then maybe things may change, but you can't have your cake and eat it!!!

 

[munstermuffin]

But why would you treat it as premium when you have better and more important at home, the money thing keeps coming up you have to understand it is the norm in France and will still like that for years to come, it is not Frances problem if finances are not as equal in the UK, and no i wil not be tempted into discussion on that old carrott. As soon as there is an European competion where qualification is on merit and merit alone then maybe things may change, but you can't have your cake and eat it!!!

Well 1 would be to say your best in Europe.
2 it's not Ireland's problem that France with big finances can't compete in Europes elite competition. And whatever about qualification, the Munsters Leinsters and Ulsters alway would be there on merit even if there was 1. Racing Metros back line salary is more than Munsters (including everyone except Murray, POC and D. Ryan) playing budget. So here's another little question. Why can Munster Leinster Ulster etc stay competitive when rotating and French 1s can't? A legit question

 

[gaston le gaff]

Well 1 would be to say your best in Europe.
2 it's not Ireland's problem that France with big finances can't compete in Europes elite competition. And whatever about qualification, the Munsters Leinsters and Ulsters alway would be there on merit even if there was 1. Racing Metros back line salary is more than Munsters (including everyone except Murray, POC and D. Ryan) playing budget. So here's another little question. Why can Munster Leinster Ulster etc stay competitive when rotating and French 1s can't? A legit question

Puzzled, how can you say Frenh teams are not competive in Europe, 6 times winners, Ireland and England have also won it 6 times, if i remember rightly Ulster won it when the English did not take part (correct me if i'm wrong) but 10 French teams in finals as losers + 4 all French final, only England have done that, and only once in 2007, and if i am not mistaken holders this season Toulon.
Competitive and priorities are 2 very different issues.
No one is saying that the Irish teams are not competitive they have different agendas, putting the H Cup first and foremost, thats fine no one is complaining about that, the French agenda is the Bouclier de Brennus always first, they have depth in their squads so the bigger teams are able to battle on both fronts. Again this year there are 3 French teams, 3 Irish 2 English so where is the non competiveness in Europe by the French, + they have 2 games at home which is on merit.
Please the comparisons of French finance, eg. Racing backs against anyone elses budgets, this is how it is, get used to it it will not change, we are priviledged to have our owners with big budgets buying some of the worlds greatest players, even Irish ones,and its not just the money the lifestyle is also very important. Ask any one playing in France from the UK.

 

[munstermuffin]

Puzzled, how can you say Frenh teams are not competive in Europe, 6 times winners, Ireland and England have also won it 6 times, if i remember rightly Ulster won it when the English did not take part (correct me if i'm wrong) but 10 French teams in finals as losers + 4 all French final, only England have done that, and only once in 2007, and if i am not mistaken holders this season Toulon.
Competitive and priorities are 2 very different issues.
No one is saying that the Irish teams are not competitive they have different agendas, putting the H Cup first and foremost, thats fine no one is complaining about that, the French agenda is the Bouclier de Brennus always first, they have depth in their squads so the bigger teams are able to battle on both fronts. Again this year there are 3 French teams, 3 Irish 2 English so where is the non competiveness in Europe by the French, + they have 2 games at home which is on merit.
Please the comparisons of French finance, eg. Racing backs against anyone elses budgets, this is how it is, get used to it it will not change, we are priviledged to have our owners with big budgets buying some of the worlds greatest players, even Irish ones,and its not just the money the lifestyle is also very important. Ask any one playing in France from the UK.

Yes but let's put it Brive back a long long time ago, Toulouse 4 times (always took it serious) and Toulon in a money spending team.
Doesn't exactly speak volumes. Regards this year - Clermont in a 2 French team pool, Toulon in a group with Glasgow and Cardiff (poor teams) and Toulouse in a group with Connacht and Zebre.
But 2 of that 3 are respected teams in that they always take Europe serious. Toulon are also too. What about rest. None of those 3 make 13/14 changes for away games

 

[gaston le gaff]

As i said priorities, the French put more into their domestic league as it is one of the toughest and better in todays rugby world, there are 4 teams who are able to battle on both competitions.
You have no promotion and regulation in the Rabo, another good reason. but these have all be printed time and time again, so if you can not except that this is the norm in France i'm sorry but it is what it is. The teams that have the depth in the France have done very well as i posted above but you did not comment!!
By the way Toulouse won before Brive so do we not count that win for Toulouse, you carry on everytime about money, Toulouse are not money spending they have the biggest budget 39 mil€, but they have always bought wisely and often the best. Picamoles, (before he had a pro contract) cheap as chips, Maestri, David, Frickou, Johnstone etc. i think i have answered all your question to the best of my knowledge so lets call it a day., before we start wasting each others time.