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Posted 164 days ago
DID YOU hear it then? That sound, shortly after the groans had ceased from the England and Wales camps. It was the sound of Gallic guffawing as they digested the draw for the Rugby World Cup 2015. Because let’s be honest – and of course, with the greatest of respect to Ireland – France are already as good as in the quarter-final.
Posted 174 days ago
“MISSION ACCOMPLISHED,” declared Philippe Saint Andre in the wake of France’s dogged 22-14 defeat of Samoa on Saturday evening. “Today is the victory of courage, restraint, solidarity. We did not panic when we conceded the second try. We were disciplined.”
Posted 185 days ago
THE GREATEST challenge facing France on Saturday in Lille isn’t the Pumas – strong as they’ll be – but the French themselves. “We will see if we’re capable of stringing together two top quality performances,” said coach Philippe Saint-Andre whose only change to the side that beat Australia is the return of Yoann Maestri at lock in place of Jocelino Suta.
Posted 185 days ago
THE FIRST round of the Autumn Internationals has been and gone and happiness isbeing found in some unlikely places.
England rumbled onwards, despite chronic wastefulness. Ireland got up close to the Boks, despite notable absences. France dealt with the Wallabies precisely, despite their inherent unpredictability. Scotland celebrated their try scoring form, despite a hefty thumping from the All Blacks.
Posted 192 days ago
SO FREDDY’S back. For the first time since 2007, Michalak will start a home Test match for France and Les Bleus will be all the better for it. The 30-year-old fly-half got the nod over Montpellier’s Francois Trinh-Duc, and Maxime Machenaud has kept out Morgan Parra at scrum-half. “We’re continuing from where we left off against Argentina,” explained French coach Philippe Saint-André, a reference to France’s last Test outing, a record 49-10 thrashing of the Pumas in June.
Posted 201 days ago
THE TOP 14 is soon to close down for three weeks allowing clubs to take stock of their early season form. For Racing Metro it’s been nothing short of disastrous. Three consecutive league defeats have left them languishing in eighth spot, 17 points behind leaders Toulon and just six clear of the relegation zone.
Posted 215 days ago
LET’S NOT get carried away. Gael Fickou had a good game for Toulouse in their win over Leicester on Sunday, but was the 18-year-old’s try-scoring performance really that special? Sure, Fickou showed the presence of mind and a sharp turn of pace to pounce on a loose ball and sprint 45 metres for the only try of a disappointing game.
Posted 215 days ago
YOUNG TOULOUSE star Gaël Fickou has been named in France’s squad for the upcoming November Internationals against Australia, Argentina and Samoa. The 18-year old centre impressed on his Heineken Cup debut against Leicester Tigers last Sunday, continuing his good form after an excellent showing at the IRB Junior World Championships in South Africa last summer.
Posted 236 days ago
“MICHALAK IS back” screams the headline in this week’s Midi Olympique, alongside a photograph of Toulon’s Freddie, a player for whom the word ‘mercurial’ could have been invented. Michalak played a prominent part in easing his club to their sixth consecutive win of the season last Saturday, a 33-12 defeat of Castres in which Jonny Wilkinson scored 18 of the points.
Posted 242 days ago
THEY SAY Lourdes is where you go in search of a miracle cure, but if you’re a thirty-something Englishman Toulon seems to be the place in France that has healing properties. We know all about Jonny Wilkinson, rejuvenated since he left Newcastle for the Cote d’Azur in 2009, and Simon Shaw has had a second wind since he quit Wasps for Toulon 12 months ago.
