TOP 14 10/11 (from Page 10)

**plastic** · 13th-July-2009, 04:53

The french don't hang about. Top 14 fixtures for the next season

http://www.lnr.fr/Menus.asp?CR=16354&CSR=16378

Quiet start, then the third week (end of august) Perpignan v Toulouse

See http://www.lnr.fr/Menus.asp?CR=16354...6376&CSSR= 16426for the first and last time you'll see Albi at the top and Toulouse at the bottom.

**plastic** · 13th-July-2009, 04:57

From a Munster/HEC persepective -

Perpignan have Biarritz (A) coming into the October rounds and then SF on the weekend after. December is Montauban (H) with Toulouse (A) after. Then January, Brive (A) and Bourgoin (H) the week after.

**i_like_cake** · 22nd-July-2009, 08:49

Top 14 News....

Racing to get started as new faces add grist to Métro's bulging squad

Sébastien Chabal may be more familiar to English fans than French in recent years – at least in terms of playing domestic rugby – but even he is having to undergo a “settling in” period following his summer transfer to Top 14 new boys Racing-Métro 92.

The French capital can be a daunting place for some, but at least Chabal shouldn’t have too many problems with the language as the former Sale Sharks favourite settles into his new life at Jacky Lorenzetti’s club.

“Caveman” or “Seabass”, depending on your choice of sobriquet, is one of France’s most identifiable sporting stars and his commercial pulling power seems to increase by the year, despite his presence in Manchester during reason seasons. But the 31-year-old still knows he must deliver on the pitch to maintain his highly profitable profile, something that coach Pierre Berbizier is at pains to stress.

Chabal may be high profile, and possibly high maintenance, but he is not alone in having to bed down at the Paris club. France captain Lionel Nallet has joined from Castres, Springbok superstar Francois Steyn has signed from Natal Sharks, while 10 other new recruits have been added to what was already a high-quality squad.

Last year they ran away with the ProD2 championship – thus avoiding the perils of the play-offs – but their aims will be more humble for the 2009/10 season.

“It is important to be aware of the new level we are involved in, and we will be looking to everyone to make the effort needed so we can be strong collectively,” said the former Italy coach.

Despite the many newcomers the squad’s heart is effectively unchanged, something Berbizier hopes will help as they to establish themselves in Top 14. “We will be building on the success we enjoyed during the past two seasons and we do not anticipate any dramatic change in our style of play,” he told L’Equipe.

Across the capital former France coach Bernard Laporte has re-joined Stade Francais – on the board of directors – following his stint in Government as the Secretary of State for Sports.

Laporte recently lost his post in a cabinet reshuffle and has now agreed to return to his former club after being approached by President Max Guazzini.

The frenchrugbyclub.com forum is now back up and running. Many apologies for our absence - this was due to a few technical issues - but hopefully that is all in the past now and you can get back to debating, discussing and generally having a good ol' chin wag.

Former Stade star Juan Martin Hernandez, meanwhile, is due in town this week, but only to move out before he continues en route to South Africa to take up his contract with the Natal Sharks. The 28-year-old Argentine international is pencilled in to make his Sharks debut against the Cheetahs next week.

Top 14 newcomers SCA Albi became the last top-flight club back into training when they returned to camp on Monday. Albi’s players were given additional time off after winning the ProD2 play-off final, with head coach Eric Bechu deciding more rest was required.

They now have only one month before the start of the new season after beginning their pre-season with a week in Saint-Girons. Team bonding is likely to be high on the list of initial priorities with a dozen new faces in the squad after a busy summer of recruitment.

Down in ProD2 the current problems enveloping Tarbes – coach disputes, incoming transfer embargo and general player drain – continued with confirmation that South African prop Ronnie Uys, 30, has quit to return home.

Uys – who played Super 14 for the Cheetahs last season – has now joined the Pumas for the rest of the year after a leaving the struggling Midi-Pyrenees outfit.

In a further blow to the club, Tarbes will also have to start the season without lock Isoa Domolailai and centre Chris Siale.

Domolailai is expected to be out until October after having a bone graft on a finger th

**LeakyBoots** · 22nd-July-2009, 08:54

Originally Posted by plastic

From a Munster/HEC persepective -

Perpignan have Biarritz (A) coming into the October rounds and then SF on the weekend after. December is Montauban (H) with Toulouse (A) after. Then January, Brive (A) and Bourgoin (H) the week after.

Good news, some big rivalries in there for the first couple of games

**davedowney10** · 1st-August-2009, 08:22

And it's all being shown on Setanta[img]smileys/biggrin.gif[/img]

**MadMax.** · 5th-August-2009, 09:06

<DIV ="mxb">
<H1>ESPN expands live sports coverage </H1></DIV></></></T></>
ESPN has expanded the range of sports it will broadcast in the UK and Irish Republic after securing a number of new TV rights contracts.

ESPN will broadcast martial arts, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the Australian Football League and the Top 14 French rugby championships.

These live events will be shown on the new ESPN channel to launch on 3 August.

The latest deals follow ESPN's acquisition of rights to the English and Scottish Premier Leagues.

ESPN's new channel will be available on Sky as well as Virgin.

ESPN says Ultimate Fighting Championships is the fastest growing sports organisation in the world, with competitions using a mixture of martial arts.

France's rugby championship - called Top 14 Orange - will be aired weekly from 15 August and the Australian Football League match will be aired from 7 August.

The German Touring Car series will be aired from 16 August while the European Basketball Championships will air from 7 September, when it takes place in Poland. </></></T></>

**Peacock** · 5th-August-2009, 09:43

Originally Posted by davedowney10

And it's all being shown on Setanta[img]smileys/biggrin.gif[/img]

IS IT? I dont remember it being on there last year i thought it was Eurosport,and have they lost it to ESPN.to which i see you have to pay a subscription

**banjaxed** · 12th-August-2009, 03:13

Top 14 takes their play offs one step further this season, with the top 6 being divided into two groups. Then play each other with top 2 from each going to semi-finals..............

**Lightblue** · 12th-August-2009, 04:45

It's just reverting back to when it was the Top 16. The top 8 would divide into 2 groups of 4 with the two winners in the final, while the bottom 8 battled it out for relegation.

**McCloud** · 17th-August-2009, 10:49

rte.ie/sport

Clermont to pursue Fourie over contract
Monday, 17 August 2009 13:00

Clermont-Auvergne are set to take action against Jaque Fourie following the South Africa centre's apparent U-turn in moving to the French club.

The Golden Lions on Friday released a statement which said they have a 'fixed-term contract of employment with Jaque Fourie until 31 October 2010' and that they would not be releasing the Springbok star, who has been linked with a move to Western Province.

However, Clermont claim to have a letter signed by Fourie that ties him to their club for the coming season.

Clermont vice-president Jean-Marc Lhermet told today's edition of French daily newspaper L'Equipe: 'The debate is moving to the legal side, it is going to be sorted out between lawyers.

'By principle, we are going to go as far as possible.'

**McCloud** · 17th-August-2009, 10:56

Planetrugby.com

Bourgoin President René Flamand has resigned from the club, as the saga over their budgetary shortfall continues.

Just minutes before the club started their season against Clermont with a 37-28 defeat to Clermont, the DNACG - the Top 14's financial watchdog - suspended fourteen player licences as the club could not satisfactorily guarantee its stipulated budget of EUR 10.2 for the coming season.

The suspensions meant that a clutch of close season signings, such as Fijian Albert Vuli Vuli and Italian international Alberto di Bernardo, could not play and that the club could not even field a full bench for the match.

The club only narrowed an automatic relegation last season - such as that which befell Albi the season before - after an EUR 2m budget deficit for the season was revealed.

The resignation does open up the likelihood that the club may merge with ProD2 team Lyon OU, as Olivier Ginon, a shareholder in Lyon, is the favourite to take the reins.

Flamand had only been an interim President in deed while the club waited for a new man to take charge permanently, but the timing of the resignation is lamentable and raises concern as to what went on behind the scenes as the seasonal planning was made.

Bourgoin are not the only club in trouble with the financial watchdog, as Montauban are waiting approval for a number of licences, meaning new signings Emmanuel Etien, Mirko Lozupone, Alejandro Campos, Joel Koffi, Maxime Le Bourhis and Scotland's Andrew Henderson all sat out the team's narrow defeat by Toulouse.

With Toulouse coach Guy Noves producing a sustained rant about the fact that he could not play a number of French internationals, despite still being able to field a team including Byron Kelleher, Fred Michalak, Yannick Jauzion, Clément Poitrenaud, Yves Donguy and Yann David, the looming budgetary restrictions cannot come fast enough, as the gap between haves and have-nots in troubled economic times deepens and continues to threaten many clubs.

**Tobyglen** · 17th-August-2009, 11:36

Originally Posted by McCloud

rte.ie/sport

Clermont to pursue Fourie over contract
Monday, 17 August 2009 13:00

Clermont-Auvergne are set to take action against Jaque Fourie following the South Africa centre's apparent U-turn in moving to the French club.

The Golden Lions on Friday released a statement which said they have a 'fixed-term contract of employment with Jaque Fourie until 31 October 2010' and that they would not be releasing the Springbok star, who has been linked with a move to Western Province.

However, Clermont claim to have a letter signed by Fourie that ties him to their club for the coming season.

Clermont vice-president Jean-Marc Lhermet told today's edition of French daily newspaper L'Equipe: 'The debate is moving to the legal side, it is going to be sorted out between lawyers.

'By principle, we are going to go as far as possible.'

Very overrated player. he was telling the world that he was the best 13 a few months ago.

**i_like_cake** · 22nd-September-2009, 14:11

Some interesting news this week...

Top 14: Brive forced to apologize after fan threatens ref; Wilko revels in the spotlight

Brive’s disappointment at losing at home to Biarritz on Saturday was compounded by an irate fan haranguing referee David Rosich at the end of the match, forcing general manager Simon Gillham to subsequently issue a club apology.

Gillham is also seeking to get a lifetime ban imposed on the pitch invader, after his actions forced the club to provide Rosich with a six-man security escort at the final whistle. Gillham further tried to placate a group of disgruntled fans angry at the club’s poor start to the season – they are currently 10th after just two wins from seven.

Brive’s fortunes haven’t been helped a series of injuries to their backs – hooker Steve Thompson described them as “dropping like flies” – but the club has now moved to address the long-term absence of England international Riki Flutey by signing Nicolas Jeanjean.

Twenty-eight-year-old Jeanjean, a former French international who has represented both Stade Francais and Stade Toulousain, has been snapped up after failing to secure a deal following a trial period with Guinness Premiership champions Leicester Tigers.

Racing-Métro 92 are also on the lookout for a “medical joker” after flanker Alvaro Galindo was ruled out for up to eight months following ruptured knee ligaments. The Parisians have been running the rule over Castres flanker Alexandre Bias, but have to make a firm decision.

Pierre Berbizier’s side were boosted on Monday, however, when Springbok international Francois Steyn, 22, finally arrived having completed his Tri-Nations duties with South Africa.

Steyn, the youngest ever World Cup winner, boosts a squad that is currently languishing in 13th spot despite some impressive performances to date. Part of Racing’s early season problems has been a lop-sided fixture list which has seen them play five of their opening seven games away from home, however that is about to change now, with six of their next eight Top 14 games at home, beginning with insipid travellers Montpellier on Saturday.

Steyn could yet make the squad for that encounter, although which position he will fulfil at the Paris club remains open to question. In his time with the Springboks the multi-talented Steyn has already played 10, 12, 13 and 15, with his powerful boot regularly landing penalties from within his own half.

Elsewhere, it’s been ‘Jonny Wilkinson fever’ in the British and French press as journalists (and players) have fallen over themselves in admiration of England’s World Cup winner following his starring role in Toulon’s 18-13 win over Stade Toulousain on Sunday.

First out with the praise was Stade’s Frédéric Michalak, who played opposite Wilko on Sunday and briefly threatened to upset the script with an 80m breakaway try.

“He is without doubt back to his best level,” said Michalak after the match. “Each time he came into our half he scored points. It’s important to have someone like that in your team,” he added.

Wilkinson has now scored 77 of Toulon’s 128 points so far this season, despite being rested for the Montauban defeat. That equates to an incredible 60% of Toulon’s points, although the player himself is first to admit that it remains a team effort.

Still, despite his wealth of worldly experience, the 30-year-old appeared dazzled by the passion of Sunday’s support as more than 55,000 turned out to watch Toulon’s second consecutive home win against Stade Toulousain at the Stade Vélodrome.

“That was one of the best experiences of my life,” said Wilkinson afterwards. “To play in front of such a crowd in a game like that was a thrill I did not know existed at club level. It felt like a test match out there. It has been a long road back. There have been times in the last year I doubted I’d see a day like this again, but it was a doubt I fought against constantly,” he said.

Prior to the match he had also told the Mail

**Lightblue** · 22nd-September-2009, 14:35

For those interested in the Top 14 http://frenchrugbyclub.com/

**Ovalball** · 24th-September-2009, 07:02

<h1>Setanta secure live rights to French Top 14</h1> <!--
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**POC Lost Tooth** · 24th-September-2009, 10:34

Rock and roll, great match to start with,,,,,,where did all the lovely ladies come from ???

**kooga made for rugby** · 24th-September-2009, 10:40

thats great news just read it in todays irish times

**LeakyBoots** · 9th-October-2009, 07:58

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJT3_...;feature=playe r_embedded#

Latest round of tries, 3 of 'em from Perpignan...

**POC Lost Tooth** · 30th-October-2009, 18:41

Ht in Perp
Usap 3 Castres 12

**PauleyB** · 30th-October-2009, 19:00

Originally Posted by POC Lost Tooth

Ht in Perp
Usap 3 Castres 12

Have been searching for the link on justintv to watch this game, but can't find it anywhere. Can somebody please assist me??[img]smileys/sad.gif[/img]

**POC Lost Tooth** · 30th-October-2009, 19:10

http://www.justin.tv/theartofdrawing
usap 17 CO 15
2 lineout maul tries (effectively) for usap in 2nd half...

**PauleyB** · 30th-October-2009, 19:14

Originally Posted by POC Lost Tooth

http://www.justin.tv/theartofdrawing
usap 17 CO 15
2 lineout maul tries (effectively) for usap in 2nd half...

Thanks a million, POC Lost Tooth[img]smileys/cool.gif[/img]

**POC Lost Tooth** · 30th-October-2009, 19:31

usap 17 co 15 FT
few home town decisions but usap mauled em off park in 2nd half
1 penalty try froma lineout maul and another try from lineout when hooker broke from maul
teulet had a drop goal effort go wide to win it in injury time

**banjaxed** · 17th-November-2009, 12:32

<H1>Strike by Top 14 clubs looms</H1>
<H3></H3>
<DIV ="pr-live-gallery pr-main-image"></DIV>
17th November 2009
<DIV =pr-article->
French club Presidents will meet in Paris on Tuesday to decide whether to press ahead with the general strike that could see Round Thirteen of the Top 14 - scheduled for this weekend - called off.

They do like a good strike in France, and this weekend's round of Top 14 matches is in serious danger of not happening.

The clubs are not happy about the French government's decision to scrap the controversial Droit à l'Image Collectif (DIC) law, a tax loophole created to help make French sports clubs more competitive internationally by effectively allowing them to treat 30 per cent of a player's salary as image rights.

The French senate pass the bill last Thursday to bring an end to the DIC- although it will come into effect on June 30 2010 rather than January 1, but that makes little difference to the clubs affected by the change.

Big-budget clubs like Toulon and Stade Français are now set be forced to find as much as a million Euros extra to balance their books as a result.

Seventeen club presidents, including eleven form the Top 14 met in Toulouse last Friday and subsequently called for Tuesday's extraordinary general meeting of the NRL where they could ratify their proposal for a strike, which was voted for by fifteen of the presidents in attendance.

If the planned mass action goes ahead, Round Thirteen of the Top 14 and Round Ten of the ProD2 will effectively be cancelled, with each club receiving one point.

"We have not been heard, we must therefore take drastic measures," said Stade Français president Max Guazzini.

Government panel of six parliamentarians and six senators is due to meet on Wednesday to discuss the issue, with little more than an advisory role, they are unlikely to change much.

LNR President Pierre-Yves Revol is still hopeful that a solution can be found will host Tuesday's meeting at the League headquarters in Paris.</DIV>

**banjaxed** · 17th-November-2009, 18:42

<H1>Top 14 strike avoided</H1>
<H3></H3>
<DIV ="pr-live-gallery pr-main-image"></DIV>
17th November 2009
<DIV =pr-article->
Unable to reach a consensus at their meeting in Paris on Tuesday, France's top clubs have decided not to pursue their plan for a strike this weekend.

The presidents of every club in the Top 14 and ProD2 - with the exception of Perpignan, Agen and Mont-de-Marsan - met at the LNR headquarters to discuss the possibility of a strike this weekend to protest the scrapping the of DIC (Droit à l'image collectif<?I>).

When the dust settled, those calling for a strike, lead by Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal, were forced to settle for a more diplomatic approach.

On Tuesday evening LNR Pierre-Yves Revol was received by one of French president Nicolas Sarkozy's sport advisors to discuss the situation.

On open letter to the French president will be published in French newspapers on Wednesday as part of French sports opposition to the changing of the tax law that was meant to be kept in place until 2012. </DIV>

**banjaxed** · 17th-December-2009, 10:03

<H2>Top 14 introduces salary cap</H2>
<H3>The La Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) have announced that they will go ahead with plans to introduce a salary cap in the French Top 14 next season, and will also put a limit on foreign players in the top-flight.</H3>

The LNR controls both the Top14 and ProD2 divisions, and they have decided to restrict spending of the top clubs of the country's richest clubs.

French rugby has come under the spotlight with several world-renowned stars enticed by the financial lure of the French league.

Marquee signings such as Riki Flutey, Dan Carter and Jonny Wilkinson have become the norm in French rugby, but the trend may change with clubs' salary budgets to be limited to 8 million Euros.

Clubs will also have to hold a reserve of 20 per cent of their salary budget, an increase from the current 10 per cent.

Indirectly linked to salary cap is the implementation of quotas on foreign players, with 40 per cent of players on a club's books to be 'home-grown'.

A home-grown player will be defined as somebody who has played for five seasons with a French licence before his 21st birthday, or a player with three years within a French rugby academy between the ages of 16 and 21.

The rule will start to be applied progressively, with 40 per cent in 2010/11 rising 50 per cent from the 2011-2012 season and 60 per cent for the 2012-2013 season.

**El Corvo** · 17th-December-2009, 10:23

This is excellent news for the Irish provinces as we can be competitive with salaries and also it means that some of the talent will be spread around a bit more.

**The Better Half** · 27th-January-2010, 16:44

Full round of T14 games on tonight and tomorrow night

Racing/Metro are beating Clermont A 27 - 0 at half time! [img]smileys/shock.gif[/img] [img]smileys/shock.gif[/img][img]smileys/shock.gif[/img]

http://www.vshare.tv/live/84739/nadnerb2008/1

**The Better Half** · 27th-January-2010, 16:59

30 - 0 now - and sewa'smate Peter Fitzgibbon is reffing it! [img]smileys/confused.gif[/img] In pretty good French too!

33 - 24 FT.

**The Better Half** · 27th-January-2010, 17:41

Starting shortly Castres V SF Paris will put up link in a few mins.

http://blackburnman04.blogspot.com/ looks like Russian!

EDIT - link is dead [img]smileys/confused.gif[/img]

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