Transfers rumours

[lynam1104]

I don't buy that as the reason why France are crap this year. They have plenty good players and in fact easily more players than the Celtic nations have, and all of the national team players are first choice starters at their clubs.

In my opinion, that is just Philippe Saint-Andre using that as a handy excuse to explain why France are woefully underperforming compared to the players they have.

Not saying that it's affecting them right now but it will down the line, clubs would rather sign proven internationals then take a chance on a youngster who could be the the next big thing.

 

[psychic duck]

Not saying that it's affecting them right now but it will down the line, clubs would rather sign proven internationals then take a chance on a youngster who could be the the next big thing.

Then how come Toulouse signed 18 year old supposed "next big thing" Gael Fickou last season and gave him chances to go on and establish himself in the team ahead of the proven international Yannick Jauzion no less? If a French player is good enough, they will get their chances (exception is Toulon who are often confused with the entire league).

 

[munstermuffin]

That would be a poor argument as Roux did not have injury problems before going to Leinster. Can't remember any great injury problems with Shaun Berne, sure you don't mean Berquist? He again had his problems start after arrival. If Berne did have problems then he's also a lot less risk than someone like Mitchell because of the amount of money involved.

Both Berne and Roux were known to be injury prone. Not an existing injury upon arrival but know to be like Warburton you could say for Wales. Always seemed to pick up some ****le. And yes I know they alot less money than likes of Mitchell but even had Leinster wanted Mitchell he'd have refused as deal in France is miles more than provinces can off.

Again agreed with Duck French guys are getting chances and it way team is run is problem

 

[lynam1104]

Then how come Toulouse signed 18 year old supposed "next big thing" Gael Fickou last season and gave him chances to go on and establish himself in the team ahead of the proven international Yannick Jauzion no less? If a French player is good enough, they will get their chances (exception is Toulon who are often confused with the entire league).

But thats one player when you have 15 players per team. Toulouse are one of the better team in that regard however they've always tried to push French youth over foreign experience but if i'm not mistaken they've come out and said they can't afford it anymore and will look abroad in order to compete with the top teams. Toulon and Clermont were the top teams in Europe and France last season and when they met in the Hcup final 8 of Clermont starting line up were French and 4 of Tulon's were French, this says to other clubs who want to compete and win in France that they need to bring in foreign players and have huge finical backing in order to be successful. I don't want all French clubs to go that way as Racing look to be doing I'd rather see clubs take the root of Castres and build a squad form local talent and win ***les that way, it's better for world and French rugby as if things keep going the way they are the Top 14 will be the only club competition with top class players.

 

[psychic duck]

But thats one player when you have 15 players per team. Toulouse are one of the better team in that regard however they've always tried to push French youth over foreign experience but if i'm not mistaken they've come out and said they can't afford it anymore and will look abroad in order to compete with the top teams. Toulon and Clermont were the top teams in Europe and France last season and when they met in the Hcup final 8 of Clermont starting line up were French and 4 of Tulon's were French, this says to other clubs who want to compete and win in France that they need to bring in foreign players and have huge finical backing in order to be successful. I don't want all French clubs to go that way as Racing look to be doing I'd rather see clubs take the root of Castres and build a squad form local talent and win ***les that way, it's better for world and French rugby as if things keep going the way they are the Top 14 will be the only club competition with top class players.

Toulon are the only team that will not give opportunities to young promising players. Clermont gave opportunities to Fofana, Domingo and Parra and backed them getting rid of experienced Joubert, Emmanuelli and Mignoni as they all proved good enough and better. Toulouse gave opportunities to Maestri, Fickou ahead of internationals like Millo-Chluski and Jauzion and they proved good enough. If they are good enough, they will get chances so there is no problem.

And if a player from the big club fails to break through or kick on, then they normally take a step down to a side like Castres who have established themselves as the dumping ground for that type of player with various other teams doing so.

There are 14 teams in the Top 14. And contrary to some people's belief, not all the league is full of Toulon's. 7 or 8 French starters in 14 teams on a weekend is still easily more places and chances available to that of Ireland with 4 teams with about 11 or 12 Irish starters each, and with 7 H Cup teams it is still more French players getting Heineken Cup chances.

Add to that Ireland congests their talent pool into 3 teams, in France somebody like James Downey or Mike Ross after struggling to breakthrough would have got more opportunity there dropping down to a lower side like Brive as opposed to having the leave the country and being lost as a potential Ireland selection.

So I really don't buy the "French teams are blocking French players". Just one team really does that as they hate internationals playing for them and have a side built around the Tri Nations and England players of about 2007. If they are good enough they will get chances at top clubs like Domingo, Fofana or Fickou have done. If not, then there are chances at mid table like Perpignan or lower league like Brive playing at a top level, as opposed to Ireland where there is just Connacht to drop down to if they fail to breakthrough.

This is just a poor excuse for France playing crap used by Saint-Andre. They have more players than the Celts and better resources in their league than the Celts and are underachieving behind them.

 

[munstermuffin]

Hate to agree with him but Duck is right

 

[ratsapprentice]

Henson to Dragons?

http://www.espn.co.uk/blogs/rugby/story/194707.html


Oh dear....

His best periods of rugby are inextricably linked to Lyn.

 

[Draggs]

Juan Smith to Toulon.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

IF he recovers completely. It's a weird way to force a transfer to Europe haha

 

[munstermuffin]

Toulon will be basically a South Africa/England team way they are buying

 

[lynam1104]

Toulon will be basically a South Africa/England team way they are buying

They're basically the best players who have been out of a contract in the past 3 or 4 years.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Toulon are the only team that will not give opportunities to young promising players. Clermont gave opportunities to Fofana, Domingo and Parra and backed them getting rid of experienced Joubert, Emmanuelli and Mignoni as they all proved good enough and better. Toulouse gave opportunities to Maestri, Fickou ahead of internationals like Millo-Chluski and Jauzion and they proved good enough. If they are good enough, they will get chances so there is no problem.

And if a player from the big club fails to break through or kick on, then they normally take a step down to a side like Castres who have established themselves as the dumping ground for that type of player with various other teams doing so.

There are 14 teams in the Top 14. And contrary to some people's belief, not all the league is full of Toulon's. 7 or 8 French starters in 14 teams on a weekend is still easily more places and chances available to that of Ireland with 4 teams with about 11 or 12 Irish starters each, and with 7 H Cup teams it is still more French players getting Heineken Cup chances.

Add to that Ireland congests their talent pool into 3 teams, in France somebody like James Downey or Mike Ross after struggling to breakthrough would have got more opportunity there dropping down to a lower side like Brive as opposed to having the leave the country and being lost as a potential Ireland selection.

So I really don't buy the "French teams are blocking French players". Just one team really does that as they hate internationals playing for them and have a side built around the Tri Nations and England players of about 2007. If they are good enough they will get chances at top clubs like Domingo, Fofana or Fickou have done. If not, then there are chances at mid table like Perpignan or lower league like Brive playing at a top level, as opposed to Ireland where there is just Connacht to drop down to if they fail to breakthrough.

This is just a poor excuse for France playing crap used by Saint-Andre. They have more players than the Celts and better resources in their league than the Celts and are underachieving behind them.

Great post. I'd give you +1 but it seems I have to +rep soeone else before I come back to you.

 

[big ginger 8]

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[TD="class: alt2, bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]Originally Posted by Michael Corcoran
rumours floating around Lote Tuqiri could feature in @RaboDirectPRO12 on a short term contract...#rumours #cantsayanymore[/TD]
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Leinster is the team he's been connected with.

 

[psychic duck]

Juan Smith to Toulon.

Toulon are building nearly the World XV of 2007.

Sheridan, Hayman, Bakkies, Williams, Lobbe, Wilkinson, Giteau, Habana etc ... If only John Smit hadn't pulled out of his transfer then the team would be nearly complete.

Henson to Dragons?

http://www.espn.co.uk/blogs/rugby/story/194707.html


Oh dear....

His best periods of rugby are inextricably linked to Lyn.

So how is the key role he played in two Grand Slams under Ruddock and Gatland linked to Lyn?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Err... 2003-2008 Ospreys, 2012 LW?

 

[Patchey]

Toulon are building nearly the World XV of 2007.

Sheridan, Hayman, Bakkies, Williams, Lobbe, Wilkinson, Giteau, Habana etc ... If only John Smit hadn't pulled out of his transfer then the team would be nearly complete.



So how is the key role he played in two Grand Slams under Ruddock and Gatland linked to Lyn?

Toulon would win the 2007 World Cup at a canter.

 

[welshglory]

They don't seem to be doing to bad in the Heineken Cup and Top 14 either

 

[psychic duck]

Err... 2003-2008 Ospreys, 2012 LW?

He's had all his best rugby for just those two teams has he?

 

[ratsapprentice]

In those two periods yes. In the intervening period he couldn't even stay at a club.

 

[psychic duck]

In those two periods yes. In the intervening period he couldn't even stay at a club.

His on field form has nothing to do with Lyn. Off the field Lyn is a group of coaches he has been in line with, along with Ruddock and Gatland. He played well with other coaches too, but they just didn't like him off the field, Woodward, Jenkins and Burnell go in this category. He still played well under them for the most part though, on the field isn't an issue, it's the injury and untolerant coaches that prevent him taking the field.