Top 14 Day 4

[Tony Manx]

Fixtures

Saturday

Biarritz v Montpellier 15.00
USAP v Bayonne 18.30
Stade F. v Castres 18.30
Grenoble v Mont D Marsan 18.30
Stade T. v Agen 18.30
Toulon v Bordeaux 20.35

Sunday

ASM v Racing 21.00

Biarritz stick with Blaaw at loosehead, after his mauling from Census Johnson last week, presumably to get him "back on the horse" but Barcella lurks on the Bench and surely must have more game time this week than last. Lakafia, reportedly suffering a broken rib, holds at 8 but again one wonders how long it will be before Guyot replaces him for his first match back from injury. The Lund brothers both start for the first time in a long time and the backs remain the same as in previous games this season.....when did that last happen with BO!!

Berquist is back in training and, apparently, reports indicate he has lots to offer so look forward to seeing him make an appearance in the next few weeks and Imanol is due back for the derby with Bayonne in the blessed Anoeta, San Sebastian at 17.00 on a Sunday....'nuff said and I shall be on way back to UK at that time anyway!!

BO have the better of Montpellier overall over the last number of seasons, as I understand it, but they will want revenge for last year's home defeat and to remain perched perilously at the top of the league although Toulon should get a bonus at home to Bordeaux which would take them clear as do not feel confident enough to look for an attacking bonus point at Aguillera!!

 

[LittleGuy]

Grenoble could be off to a great start with another weak opponent this weekend, I'm looking forward to the Sunday matchup as well.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Biarritzzzzzzz....

 

[Tony Manx]

An error strewn game that was, for the first hour, dominated by the ex-player now forwards coach of Montpellier, one Mario Ladesma.

In the absence of their Argies, and under his obvious guidance and experience of all things "professional", Montpol came solely to disrupt, annoy, frustrate and generally be "professional" and it was only when BO realised that they had nothing else to offer, and the ref finally found his yellow card, did BO get on with the game!! Ladesma even had to be told to get off the pitch at the water break!!

A final score that flatters Montpol but BO did not deserve the bonus try point that was within their grasp with seconds to go if only because of five missed straightforward penalties and "beaucoup des erruers" without which it would have been a riot!!

We saw just two moves from Montpol all afternoon beng a sweeping back move covering three quarters of the pitch and the final one that Tran Duch conjured a try out of...apart from that, nothing!! Bet Gaston cannot wait to get his Argies back......but Montpol are better than to have to resort to the professionalism even in a tough away fixture!! Good God.....am slightly disappointed in yet another win, this cannot be right!!!


PS where was Hape?

 

[gaston le gaff]

Funny no mention of the referee by Tony, how would BO have done against 15, against 13 the task is slightly easier. Hape was rested......and the season is long..... as long as we are there or there abouts we should clinch one of the first 6 places.

 

[Black_Magic]

First good game of rugby in top14 I have seen this season - ASM vs Racing Metro. It's a pity the guys from the north lost in the end - they had a real chance to end Clermont's streak of wins at Stade Michelin dating back to 2009 (!).

 

[gaston le gaff]

they had their chance and did not take it so the unbeaten record carries on but have to agee probably the game of the season so far

 

[Amobokoboko]

Good game by ASM pity Racing couldn't win.

 

[BZHopenside]

Last year it took nine wins to avoid relegation. With 3 wins for 4, Grenoble are looking in a good place at the start of the season to make it.

 

[Black_Magic]

Last year it took nine wins to avoid relegation. With 3 wins for 4, Grenoble are looking in a good place at the start of the season to make it.

I'm pretty sure Grenoble will stay in Top14. Anyway, this year there's really only one relegation spot to avoid - Mont de Marsan are unfortunately 99% sure for relegation... I hope they can get some good wins at least.

 

[Tony Manx]

Funny no mention of the referee by Tony, how would BO have done against 15, against 13 the task is slightly easier. Hape was rested......and the season is long..... as long as we are there or there abouts we should clinch one of the first 6 places.

Thought the ref (also the linesmen) was incompetent and MHR should not have been down to 13..................just 14 on at least two earlier occasions!!

Against 15, should never have arisen but had your wish be granted, we would still have won but maybe by one less try and not that of Lesgourges which was an exceptional individual try and would have been scored had you 20 players on the pitch!!!!

I still think you will get to be in the dog fight for top 6 but am beginning to dream that we will be there too!!