|
24 January 2010
|
Six of the best:
Jonny Wilkinson
Photo: Michael Paler |
Toulon ran in four first-half tries - and six in total -
as they beat Castres 42-10 to secure their
quarter-final berth in the Amlin Challenge Cup.
Castres
full-back Thomas Bouquié kicked the visitors into an early
lead with his second-minute penalty, but it was all Toulon
after that with Mafi Kefu (2), Christian Loamanu and Sinoti
Sinoti all crossing for tries before the half-time interval.
England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson kicked all four
conversions, sending Toulon into the break with a 28-3 lead.
That
effectively secured Toulon's continued European progress as
it guaranteed them an attacking bonus, and lifted them above
Pool 3 rivals Saracens in the process.
Read More...
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23 January 2010
| 21/01/10 |
|
|
|
| Racing-Métro |
19 |
Wasps |
17 |
| 22/01/10 |
|
|
|
| Montauban |
27 |
SCA Albi |
20 |
| Montpellier |
8 |
Worcester |
3 |
| Newcastle |
20 |
Padova |
3 |
| Rugby Roma |
6 |
Bayonne |
55 |
| Rugby Parma |
16 |
Bucuresti Oaks |
9 |
| Rugby Rovigo |
8 |
Saracens |
56 |
Montauban won their all-French Pool 5 encounter with
SCA Albi, beating Top 14's basement club 27-20 in their
final group match.
The
hosts opened up a quick-fire 6-0 lead after two early
penalties from Julien Audy, but then found themselves 6-17
down after half an hour following two converted tries and a
penalty from Albi.
Read More...
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22 January 2010
|
Winning kick:
Jonathan Wisniewski
Photo: Michael Paler |
Jonathan
Wisniewski kicked an injury-time penalty to hand
Racing-Métro 92 a 19-17 home win against previously unbeaten
London Wasps in Thursday's Pool 4 encounter.
Racing
were playing for pride after losing three of their previous
five matches in the Amlin Challenge Cup, but there last-gasp
win could have serious implications for Wasps, who were
looking for a sixth straight win to seal a home
quarter-final berth.
Wisniewski had opened the night's scoring with a
third-minute penalty, but the Guinness Premiership side
recovered to lead 9-10 at the interval thanks to a Tom
Varndell try and five points from the boot of fly-half Danny
Cipriani.
Amlin Challenge Cup - Pool results
and tables
Read More...
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21 January 2010
|
Key player: Toulon's
Jonny Wilkinson
Photo: Michael Paler |
Toulon and Bourgoin will be out to fly the Top 14
flag this weekend as both teams seek to secure their
quarter-final berths in this season's Amlin Challenge Cup.
Pool 3
leaders Toulon remain in prime position despite losing last
weekend away to Saracens, and will host fellow French side
Castres at the Stade Félix Mayol. Bourgoin, last season's
runners-up, are also well placed in Pool 1, level on points
with group leaders Leeds Carnegie - who they travel to take
on in a winner-takes-all scenario.
Amlin Challenge Cup - Pool results
and tables
Toulon's
path is straightforward if they want to make their first
European quarter-final appearance for 15 years - beat
Castres, and score four tries in the process to secure the
attacking bonus. If they can do that then a place in the
last eight is theirs, regardless of how Saracens fare away
to Rugby Rovigo.
Read More...
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|
17 January 2010
|
Up for the cup:
Saracens and Toulon
Photo: Michael Paler |
Toulon may have slipped to a 28-9 defeat at Saracens on
Thursday night, but they still top Pool 3 by a single point
going into the last round of matches next weekend.
Together
with Bourgoin - last year's runners-up - they remain
the only two French sides with realistic hopes of making the
quarter-finals.
Toulon's trip
to the Guinness Premiership side was always likely to prove
a tough challenge, but Toulon did at least manage to prevent
Saracens from garnering the extra attacking bonus -
something that could be crucial when the pool stages are
completed.
Amlin Challenge Cup - Pool results
and tables
Read More...
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|
15 January 2010
|
Jonny Wilkinson
attempts a drop-goal
Photo: Michael Paler |
Toulon slipped to a 28-9 defeat at Saracens on
Thursday night, but they still top Pool 3 by a single point
going into the last round of matches next weekend.
A trip
to the Guinness Premiership side was always likely to prove
a tough challenge, but Toulon did at least manage to prevent
Saracens from garnering the extra attacking bonus -
something that could be crucial when the pool stages are
completed.
Toulon
now know they will go through to the quarter-final stages if
they can get a bonus-point win at home to French rivals
Castres, while Saracens can merely hope results go their way
as they travel to Italian side Rugby Rovigo.
Read More..
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|
14 January 2010
|
Back on English soil:
Toulon's Jonny Wilkinson
Photo: Michael Paler |
England
fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has been named in Toulon's starting
XV for their crucial Amlin Challenge Cup match away to
Saracens tonight (Thursday).
The
30-year-old is one of several British players featured in
the squad, with former Saracens stalwart Kris Chesney also
getting a start (in the second row). Wilkinson's former
Newcastle and England colleague Tom May begins at inside
centre, while ex-Munster prop Tim Ryan is on the bench.
Toulon
won the French leg against Saracens 31-23 back in October
and are currently top of Pool 3 with 18 points having
recorded four victories from four. Saracens, who need to win
to maintain their quarter-final hopes, are currently second
with 13 points.
Amlin Challenge Cup - Pool results
and tables
Read More...
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21
December
2009
|
On the up:
Racing-Métro 92
Photo: Michael Paler |
Bourgoin 31
Rugby Parma 10
Bayonne 3 London Wasps 12
Connacht 19 Worcester 7
Montauban 24 Newcastle 19
Parma 3 Racing-Métro 53
Madrid 6 Montpellier 42
Saracens 18 Castres 14
Rovigo 7 Toulon 30
SCA Albi 38 Padova 16
Toulon eased to a 30-7 away win at Rugby Rovigo
on Sunday to maintain their 100% record in this year's Amlin
Challenge Trophy.
Philippe
Saint-André again opted to rest a host of first-team
regulars, but his buoyant Top 14 outfit still proved too
strong for the Italians as they ran in four tries to secure
a bonus-point victory.
The
result lifted them five points clear of second placed
Saracens in Pool 3, with the two sides due to meet at
Vicarage Road in the next round of matches in January. A win
there would guarantee Toulon a quarter-final slot, and even
a defeat would not be disastrous - such is their current
advantage over the Guinness Premiership leaders, who edged
past Castres 18-14 earlier in the weekend.
Read More...
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|
19 December
2009
| ACC, r4 |
|
|
|
| Bourgoin |
31 |
Rugby Parma |
10 |
| Bayonne |
3 |
London Wasps |
12 |
| Connacht |
19 |
Worcester |
7 |
| Montauban |
24 |
Newcastle Falcons |
19 |
Montauban withstood a second-half fightback by
Newcastle Falcons to record a 24-19 home win to keep
alive their hopes of qualifying for the ACC quarter-finals.
The
hosts surged 16-6 ahead by half-time at the Stade Sapiac,
with Julien Audy's three penalties and a conversion adding
to a 22nd-minute try by hooker Grégory Arganese.
Pool
five leaders Newcastle Falcons replied with two penalties
from Jimmy Gopperth, with the Kiwi adding another just four
minutes after the resumption to narrow the gap to seven
points.
Montauban's response was immediate, with winger Adrien
Figueiredo intercepting in his own 22 before haring away to
touch down on 48 minutes and give the home side further
breathing space in a game they knew they had to win.
Read More... |
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18 December
2009
|
Mixed night:
Serge Betsen
Photo: Michael Paler |
| ACC, r4 |
|
|
|
| Bourgoin |
31 |
Rugby Parma |
10 |
| Bayonne |
3 |
London Wasps |
12 |
Bayonne's hopes of rescuing a troubled season with a
European cup run were dashed by London Wasps on
Thursday evening as the French side lost 3-12 at home to
effectively end their interest in this year's Amlin
Challenge Cup.
Wasps'
win made it double joy for the London club - following last
weekend's 22-18 home victory - and means they are now seven
points clear in Pool 4 and clear favourites to claim a
quarter-final berth.
Bayonne,
meanwhile, must now re-focus all of their energies on Top 14
survival as they seek to make up for a woeful first half to
the season. The Basques are currently 13th in the French
league and in serious danger of being relegated to ProD2 if
they don't halt their slide. They have now lost six of their
last seven games - as well as six of their last seven league
games - and the recent change of head coach (with Thierry
Mentières taking over from Richard Dourthe - does not appear
to have stopped the rot.
Read More... |
|
17 December
2009
| Thursday 17/12/09 |
|
|
|
| Bourgoin v
Rugby Parma |
Stade Pierre
Antoine |
Pool 1 |
19.30 |
| Bayonne v
London Wasps |
Stade Jean Dauger |
Pool 4 |
20.45 |
| Friday 18/12/09 |
|
|
|
| Connacht Rugby v
Worcester Warriors |
The Sports Ground |
Pool 2 |
19.00 |
| Montauban v
Newcastle Falcons |
Stade de Sapiac |
Pool 5 |
20.30 |
| Saturday 19/12/09 |
|
|
|
| Rugby Roma v
Racing-Métro 92 |
Stadio Tre Fontane |
Pool 4 |
14.30 |
| Rugby Rovigo v
Toulon |
Stadio Mario
Battaglini |
Pool 3 |
15.00 |
| Olympus Rugby XV
Madrid v Montpellier |
Ciuadad
Universitaria |
Pool 2 |
16.00 |
| SCA Albi v
Petrarca Padova |
Stade Municipal
d'Albi |
Pool 5 |
19.00 |
| Saracens v
Castres Olympique |
Vicarage Road |
Pool 3 |
19.00 |
Round
four of the Amlin Challenge Cup kicks off tonight with
Bourgoin and Bayonne both in action as they seek to take
another step closer to qualifying for the knockout stages.
Bourgoin
- last year's runners-up - are currently level with Pool 1
leaders Leeds Carnegie, but will fancy taking over top spot
with if they can secure a bonus-point home win against Rugby
Parma, who they beat 14-9 in Italy last weekend.
Read More... |
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12 December
2009
| Thursday 10/12/09 |
|
|
|
| Newcastle
Falcons |
17 |
Montauban |
6 |
| Friday 11/12/09 |
|
|
|
| Castres |
9 |
Saracens |
23 |
| Toulon |
73 |
Rugby Rovigo |
3 |
| Montpellier |
57 |
Olympus Madrid |
24 |
Guinness
Premiership leaders Saracens fought back from 9-3
down at half-time to beat their French counterparts
Castres 9-23 at the Stade Pierre Antoine on Friday
night.
The
result effectively ends Castres' involvement in this
season's Amlin Challenge Cup - having already lost at home
to Toulon as well - but it keeps Saracens' hopes alive in
their quest for a quarter-final berth.
Second-half tries from replacements Andy Saull and Schalk
Brits sealed the win, with fly-half Glen Jackson kicking
both conversions, as well as two penalties and a drop-goal.
The victory was just reward for a strong second-half
performance from the English outfit after Castres’ bullish
pack had threatened to put the game beyond reach in the
opening period.
Read More... |
|
10 December 2009
|
Up fro
grabs:
Euro glory
Photo: Michael Paler |
European
action returns tonight (Thursday) with Montauban travelling
to the Newcastle Falcons in the opening game of the Amlin
Challenge Cup's round three.
Eight
French teams are in action throughout the weekend, with
Friday night's clash between Castres and Saracens - the
respective leaders of Top 14 and the Guinness Premiership -
perhaps the most intriguing.
Amlin Challenge Cup - Pool results
and tables
Elsewhere, Pool 3 leaders Toulon will be hoping to continue
their impressive start with a home win against Rugby Rovigo,
while Bourgoin - last season's runners-up - travel to Rugby
Parma to take on another Italian side. In-form Racing-Métro
92 also face Italian opposition - in the shape of Rugby Roma
- while Montpellier host Spanish side Olympus Rugby XV
Madrid.
Struggling Bayonne, meanwhile, are away to English
heavyweights London Wasps at the beginning of a fortnight
that make or break the Basque side's season.
Read More... |
|
15 October
2009
|
Impressive haul:
Jonny Wilkinson
Photo: Michael Paler |
Toulon 31 (18)
Saracens 23 (9)
Two
first-half tries in four minutes from Fijian centre Gabriele
Lovobalavu set Toulon on their way to a convincing 31-23 win
against Saracens in Pool 3.
Philippe
Saint-André's team proved too strong for the unbeaten
Guinness Premiership leaders, with England internationals
Jonny Wilkinson and Tom May also starring for the home side.
Wilkinson kicked 16 of his team's points - through four
penalties and two conversions, while May capped a good game
at inside centre with a 42nd-minute try - his first for the
club.
Read More...
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13 October
2009
|
Injury concern:
Francois Steyn
Photo: Michael Paler |
Racing-Métro 92’s injury problems increased at the
weekend as recent Springbok recruit Francois Steyn
was forced to leave the field during their 18-13 defeat at
London Wasps.
The
Paris side is already without the services of French
internationals Sébastien Chabal and Lionel Nallet,
as well as Italian prop Andrea Lo Cicero.
The news
concerning Steyn was that he suffered a strained ankle and
is now likely to miss Saturday’s home game with Bayonne in
Pool 4.
Toulon’s Sonny Bill Williams could make his first
appearance of the season in their home clash with Saracens
on Thursday. The former rugby league star has been sidelined
to date with a fractured fibula, but has been back in
training for some weeks now and is being earmarked for his
comeback in the Amlin Challenge Cup match.
Read More... |
|
10 October
2009
| Thursday 08/10/09 |
|
Worcester
Warriors 17
Montpellier
22 (Pool 2) |
| Friday 09/10/09 |
| Castres 17 Toulon
33 (Pool 3) |
| Bayonne 61 Roma
3 (Pool 4) |
| Bourgoin 29 Leeds
Carnegie 19 (Pool 1) |
| SCA Albi 7 Montauban 17
(Pool 5) |
| Sunday 11/10/09 |
| London Wasps v Racing-Métro
92 (Pool 4, 15.00) |
Montpellier, Toulon and Montauban all recorded crucial away
victories as French teams flourished in the opening round of
Amlin Challenge Cup matches. There were also home
wins for Bayonne and Bourgoin – last year’s runners-up – as
European competition returned to the calendar.
Indeed,
of France’s seven representatives to have played so far –
Racing-Métro 92 are away to London Wasps on Sunday – only
two suffered defeats, and both of those were in all Top 14
clashes as SCA Albi went down to Montauban and Castres
crashed to Toulon.
Read More... |
|
08 October 2009
| Thursday 08/10/09 |
|
Worcester Warriors v
Montpellier
(Pool 2, 19.45) |
| Friday 09/10/09 |
| Castres v
Toulon (Pool 3, 19.00) |
| Bayonne v Roma
(Pool 4, 19.30) |
| Bourgoin v
Leeds Carnegie (Pool 1, 19.30) |
| SCA Albi v
Montauban (Pool 5, 20.00) |
| Sunday 11/10/09 |
| London Wasps v
Racing-Métro 92 (Pool 4, 15.00) |
The
Heineken Cup will always, and quite rightly, take precedence
over the revamped Amlin Challenge Cup - formerly the
European Challenge Cup - but this year's competition could
still prove fascinating none-the-less.
With the
likes of Toulon and Racing-Métro 92 keen to impress, as well
as high-flying Castres and under-achieving Bayonne, it could
also prove a route to salvation for several of France's Top
14 clubs.
Read More...
|
|
By Joe El Abd, 07 October 2009
|
'I have some great memories
in Europe' - Joe El-Abd
©
RCN Toulon |
Toulon flanker, and FRC columnist, Joe El Abd
this week reflects on the differing challenges of playing in
Europe as France's Top 14 takes a two-week break for the
Heineken Cup and Challenge Cup.
This week sees a break
in the Top 14 for European competition. For a player I
always think there is something special about playing in
Europe and for me it’s going to be especially exciting to
experience it this season from a French perspective.
We are in the Challenge
Cup this year and face a group containing Saracens, Rovigo
and Castres. With both Saracens and Castres flying high at
the moment it looks like it is going to be a tough group to
be involved in. But while Sarries and Castres and going to
be really hard games it’s Rovigo that some of our new South
Africans are looking forward to playing against the most as
it will be their first trip to Italy.
Read More... |
|
22 May
2009
|
The pain of defeat:
Bourgoin players
Photo: Michael Paler |
Bourgoin
take on Northampton Saints at the Twickenham Stoop tonight
with the tantalising carrot of a Heineken Cup place at stake
for the winners.
Victory in
the European Challenge Cup final will be huge reward for
either team with the Saints seeking to cap their first
season back in the Guinness Premiership, while Bourgoin
could end a traumatic and trying campaign with silverware
and an unexpected bonus.
But it’s
not just these two sides which are hanging on the result –
with former Heineken Cup winners London Wasps and Brive both
waiting to find out their own future calling. Victory for
Northampton would send Brive into next year’s Heineken Cup
(at Wasps’ expense), while a win for Bourgoin would send
Wasps’ through (at Brive’s expense).
Read More... |
|
07 May 2009
 The
final of the European Challenge Cup has been moved to the
Twickenham Stoop after ERC - the competition's organsiers -
backed down
following vociferous complaints from
French side Bourgoin.
The
original plan was for the match to take place on the evening
of Friday May 22 at Gloucester's Kingsholm ground,
but Bourgoin said this was
unacceptable - both in terms of the venue and the
timing.
European Challenge Cup - Pool results
and tables
Bourgoin's case was (successfully) backed by the Ligue
National de Rugby (LNR), which claimed it had not been
sufficiently consulted on the final venue, as previously
claimed by the ERC.
Read More... |
|
06 May 2009
The
ongoing row over
the siting of the European Challenge
Cup final has taken a further twist following
forthright comments from Pierre-Yves Revol, president of
France's Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR).
Revol
reacted angrily to the way that Bourgoin's request for a
change of final (away from Gloucester's Kingsholm) was
dismissed by Jean-Pierre Lux, the president of ERC - the
organising body for European competition.
Lux, a
Frenchman, turned down Bourgoin's appeal on Tuesday and
stated that the LNR had been fully consulted on possible
final venues, even being asked in January to propose a
potential host ground.
Read More... |
|
05 May 2009
|
Francois Steyn:
Out for weeks
Photo: Michael Paler |
Top 14
side Bourgoin are demanding a change of venue after
Gloucester's Kingsholm was chosen to host their
European Challenge Cup final clash
with Northampton Saints.
The
irate French club are also angry that the final has been
scheduled for a Friday - rather than Saturday - leading to
potential travel chaos for their fans, who would have to
take a ay of work and brave the westbound motorway system at
peak hours.
Bourgoin
also argued that France should host the final as it had been
held in England for the past eight seasons.
"Our
disappointment is clearly immense," said a club statement.
"The final will take place less than a week after a decisive
[Top 14] match against Brive. Our supporters are forced to
make a long, complex and costly trip on a Friday.
Read More...
|
|
02 May
2009
Bourgoin 22 (3) Worcester Warriors 11 (6)
Top 14
strugglers Bourgoin fought back from a 6-3 half-time deficit
to overcome Worcester Warriors 22-11 in the semi-final of
the European Challenge Cup.
The
French side will now face Northampton Saints in the final,
with a potentially lucrative Heineken Cup slot up for grabs
for the winners. Bourgoin would have to ensure Top 14
survival to take up that option, but confidence should be
sky high now after yet another impressive European
performance.
Bourgoin, who overcame London Irish in the quarter-finals,
owed their success to a powerful second-half display, during
which France scrum-half Morgan Parra featured prominently.
The
departing star - he has signed to join Clermont Auvergne in
the summer - ensured a high profile send-off as he four
crucial penalties, including three in a 20-minute purple
patch after after the interval.
Read More... |
|
May 01
2009
|
Tiger beats Lion:
Julien Dupuy starts
Photo: Michael Paler |
Bourgoin take on Worcester Warriors at home on Saturday
as they bid to keep the French flag flying in Europe this
season.
Their
European Challenge Cup semi-final may be in the lesser
of the weekend’s two European competitions, but victory in
the tournament would guarantee the Top 14 strugglers a
Heineken Cup slot for next season – provided they avoid
domestic relegation.
It is a
tricky situation, and has required some delicate balancing
of late in terms of team preparation an selection. Last
weekend they rested a whole host of players and yet emerged
with a valuable (and surprising) bonus point from their
13-6 defeat at Stade Toulousain.
Saturday’s line-up should thus be fresh, and they also have
the psychological edge having already beaten Worcester 29-14
at the Stade Pierre Rajon back in December.
Read More... |
|
09 April 2009
London Irish 30 (12) Bourgoin 32 (9)
Top 14
strugglers Bourgoin kept their dreams of Heineken Cup
qualification alive with a stunning 32-30 away win at London
Irish in the European Challenge Cup.
The
French side held on during a nerve-wracking finale to record
a famous quarter-final victory against the Exiles, who had
gone into the match as top seeds and on the back of a
scoring bonanza during the pool stages.
European Challenge Cup - Pool results
and tables
But
Bourgoin belied their lowly league status and played with
renewed confidence brought on by the recent back-to-back
wins (over Montpellier and Dax) which have virtually secured
their Top 14 status.
Read More... |
|
09 April
2009
|
Up for the Challenge:
Brive's Steve Thompson
© Diarmid Courreges |
Four days of European club action gets underway
tonight with Top 14's Bourgoin playing in the
opening quarter-final of the European Challenge Cup.
Bourgoin are one of two French clubs in the last
eight of the EEC, with Brive travelling to Worcester
Warriors on Saturday as the league's other
representatives.
For Brive it presents a genuine shot at European
glory, but Bourgoin face a far tougher task as they
visit London Irish - the number one seeds - in
tonight's clash at the Madejski Stadium.
European Challenge Cup - Pool
results and tables
But pre-match status often goes out of the window in
knock-out competition and Morgan Parra and
team-mates will be hoping to pull off a shock win as
they travel to play the team currently standing
third in the Guinness Premiership.
Read More... |
|
23 January
2009
 Brive
29 (10) Overmach Rugby Parma 13 (6)
Three tries in 15 second-half minutes ensured Brive
dispatched Overmach Rugby Parma and secured the
necessary bonus point to guarantee a quarter-final
tie in the European Challenge Cup.
Their 29-13 win means Brive will finish top of Pool
4 whatever results follow over the weekend, but the
French side didn’t have it all their own way on a
cold and wet night at the Stade Amédée Domenech.
Indeed, the home side were 6-0 down within 10
minutes as former Glasgow player Barry Irving kicked
the Italians into an early lead. Memories of Brive’s
34-29 away defeat lingered as the visitors threw
everything they had into upsetting the Top 14 side,
but slowly the hosts managed to regain control and
exert some pressure of their own.
Read More... |
|
22 January
2009
Brive
are hoping to secure their quarter-final berth when
they entertain Italian club Overmach Parma Rugby in
the European Challenge Cup.
The
in-form Top 14 side have targeted success in this
competition from the start of the season and go into
tonight’s game on the back of an impressive recent run that
has seen them win eight of their last nine games in all
competitions.
Another
victory this evening would ensure their progress through to
the last eight, as well as help erase the memories of their
34-29 away defeat to Parma back in October.
Furthermore, it could take many of the club’s British
players a step closer to facing their previous employers,
with Steve Thompson and Ben Cohen among a group of
ex-Northampton Saints now with Brive.
Read More... |
|
20
October 2008
French
misery continued in the European Challenge Cup with only two
out of seven sides victorious on the second weekend –
mirroring the success rate of the opening round- and one of
those was from an all Top14 clash between Mont-de-Marsan and
Bayonne.
Bayonne
won that one 26-8, but there were heavy defeats for
Montpellier and Toulon (again), with only Brive securing a
win against foreign opposition with their 36-22 victory over
Newcastle Falcons.
Brive’s
ex-Tigers fly-half Andy Goode racked up 21 points as Les
Correziens got their show back on track in Pool 4 (see
report), but Montpellier saw red as they were
thrashed 51-7 by Northampton Saints in Pool 2.
Captain
Julien Tomas and Fabien Rofes were both sent off as the
English side, which dispatched Toulon 56-3 last week, ran in
six tries as they breached half a century of points again.
Montpellier rested a number of first team regulars and paid
the price at Franklin Gardens with the Guinness Premiership
side opening the scoring when Scott Gray went over inside
the first minute.
Read More... |
|
17
October 2008
Only
two French clubs were victorious on a dismal opening weekend
in the European Challenge Cup but Brive’s Thursday night win
against Newcastle Falcons (36-22) should have set the tone
for a more successful outing this time around.
Montpellier’s away trip to Northampton Saints looks the pick
of the games but there will also be a keen focus on
struggling Toulon as they travel to Bristol. Coach Tana
Umaga was widely slated for picking an under strength team
for last week’s home rout by Northampton and another poor
showing would continue to weaken his position.
Somewhat predictably he has recalled ex-All-Black Jerry
Collins to a much stronger XV, but the damage may already
have been done.
Mont-de-Marsan v
Bayonne, Pool 5, Stade Guy Boniface (19.00, 17/10/08)
Top 14’s basement club Mont-de-Marsan entertain a
strong-looking Bayonne tonight with Remy Martin returning to
captain the visitors after sitting out last week’s
surprising home defeat by Viadana. Les Montois are on a
recovery mission, however unlikely, after they were thrashed
53-3 away to Saracens. Still, this being an all-French
domestic affair local pride will very much be on the table.
Verdict: Bayonne win.
Read More... |
Brive too
Goode for Newcastle
16
October 2008
 Brive
(13) 36 v Newcastle Falcons (5) 22, Pool 4
England discard Andy Goode racked up 21 points as he steered
Brive to a crucial 36-22 home win against Newcastle Falcons
in Pool 4 of the European Challenge Cup.
The ex-Leicester Tigers
fly-half continued his impressive recent form by kicking
five penalties, three conversions and setting up the opening
try as the Top 14 side bounced back from defeat in Italy
last week.
Les Correziens, who had
scored 123 points in their last three games, got off to the
perfect start against last year’ semi-finalists when Goode’s
subtle kick set up centre Ronnie Cooke for a second-minute
try that calmed nerves. The English import added the
conversion and a subsequent penalty to ease the home side 10
points clear, but Newcastle – who won here last year -
responded with a try of their own from Rory Clegg just
before the half hour to reduce the lead.
Goode’s second penalty
handed Brive a 13-5 half-time advantage, and he was on
target with three more after the break to ensure the hosts
stayed comfortably ahead.
Tim Visser did go over for
Newcastle’s second try of the night with 20 minutes left,
but Brive’s response was swift and clinical with Johan van
Zyl and Jean-Baptiste Pejoine both scoring tries – which
Goode duly converted.
Their combined efforts
made sure there was no way back for the Falcons despite
Ollie Phillips’ late score.
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16
October 2008
Brive
v Newcastle Falcons (Pool 4, 20.45, Stadium Municipal)
Brive have the chance to get their European campaign back on
track when they entertain Newcastle Falcons tonight in round
two of the European Challenge Cup.
The Top 14 side narrowly lost 34-29 away to Italian side
Overmach Rugby Parma last week but at least have home
advantage for tonight’s Pool 4 match against their Guinness
Premiership rivals.
Newcastle, semi-finalists last year, opened up with a
straightforward 63-0 trouncing of Spanish champions Cetransa
El Salvador, but will know Brive present a different
proposition entirely, especially at the Stadium Municipal.
The Falcons will be missing star player Jonny Wilkinson,
linked with Toulon before his latest injury, but can at
least call on fit again flanker Adam Balding following a
two-week lay-off for a head injury.
The English side, who travelled to France a day early to
give themselves added preparation, have also named winger
John Rudd in their squad in place of the injured Danny
Williams.
Read More... |
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12
October 2008
|
Pool 1 |
|
Dax 12 |
Connacht 30 |
|
London Irish 78 |
Rugby Rovigo 3 |
|
Pool 2 |
|
Toulon 3 |
Northampton Saints 56 |
|
Montpellier 33 |
Bristol 15 |
|
Pool 3 |
|
Petrarca Padova 6 |
Worcester Warriors 55 |
|
Bucuresti Oaks 10 |
Bourgoin 21 |
|
Pool 4 |
|
Newcastle Falcons 63 |
El Salvador 0 |
|
Overmach Rugby Parma 34 |
Brive 29 |
|
Pool 5 |
|
Bayonne 10 |
Viadana 21 |
|
Saracens 53 |
Mont-de-Marsan 3 |
Bourgoin and Montpellier were France’s only winners on a
miserable weekend for Top 14 clubs in the opening round of
the European Challenge Cup.
Montpellier managed to beat Bristol 33-15 on Friday night
and Bourgoin triumphed 21-10 away to Bucuresti Oaks on
Sunday, but there were defeats for Toulon, Dax, Brive,
Bayonne and Mont-de-Marsan as the French were humbled
throughout Europe.
Toulon, Dax and Bayonne all lost at home, to English, Irish
and Italian opposition respectively, with Brive and
Mont-de-Marsan losing on their travels, to Italian, and
English teams this time. It all adds up to a woeful weekend,
with Toulon’s 56-3 home drubbing by Northampton on Friday
night summing up a wretched set of European results.
Two tries in the opening 15 minutes set the tempo for a
high-scoring affair between Parma and Brive on Sunday, with
the Italians surging into an early 17-6 lead thanks to
scores from Roberto Mariani and German Fontana. Alessandro
Chillon added a third shortly before the interval as Parma
opened up a 25-9 advantage at the interval.
Brive, who rested a number of players, battled back in the
second half thanks to tries from Johan van Zyl and Norman
Ligairi, but Barry Irving’s three penalties ensured the
hosts hung on for victory.
Read More... |
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10
October 2008
 Montpellier
33 Bristol 15 (Pool 2)
Dax 12 Connacht 30 (Pool 1)
Bayonne 10 Viadana 21 (Pool 5)
Montpellier got their European campaign off to a winning
start, but home defeats for Dax and Bayonne made it a mixed
night for Top 14 sides.
Montpellier eventually overpowered Bristol 33-15 after
entertaining first-half which saw both sides score two tries
apiece.
Lee Robinson and number eight Ian Grieve both scored for
Bristol in the opening eight minutes, but Montpellier
replied through Francois Trinh-Duc and flying winger Thierry
Brana.
Argentine international Frederico Todeschini (18 points in
total) was immaculate with his place kicks all night while
scrum-half Justin Marshall was the lynchpin of much of
Montpellier’s flowing rugby.
The home side’s superiority began to tell after the break
and their incessant pressure inevitably brought further
reward with Todeschini adding 10 more points to Pieter van
Niekerk’s 70th-minute try, much to the delight of the 9,000
crowd.
Dax looked to be heading in the right direction when they
led Connacht 12-7 at half-time, but the home side wilted
after the interval and failed to score at all as the Irish
added 23 unanswered points.
Read More...
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10
October 2008
 The
action may have already started, with Toulon’s abysmal
capitulation to Northampton Saints (see
report), but there are 13 more European
matches involving French Top 14 sides this weekend,
beginning with Montauban away to Munster tonight and
concluding with Bourgoin away to Bucaresti Oaks on Sunday.
Different clubs tend to view the two competitions (Heineken
Cup and European Challenge Cup) with different eyes, some
deeming it the Holy Grail of achievement (such as Toulouse)
whereas others merely see it as an opportunity to rest their
star players in readiness for a return to Top 14 action
(like Toulon).
The former route carries obvious risks – in terms of injury
and long-term burnout – but the rewards are huge in being
crowned Europe’s top club. The raised profile, additional
revenue from television and ticket sales, and also in a
club’s overall standing. Remember, Dan Carter chose to sign
for Perpignan rather than Toulon because of the attraction
of the Heineken Cup – I bet he’s glad now after Toulon’s
abysmal result last night.
Talking of which, the second approach – to rest players – is
a more obvious one for clubs with smaller squads whose main
objective this season is Top 14 survival. But does a 3-56
home thrashing really help that club at all? It must be
questionable. Yes, youngsters have been blooded and stars
rested, but such a resounding hammering cannot be good for
morale whichever way you want to spin it. You only had to
listen to the boos echoing around the Stade Felix Mayol to
understand that.
So, we look ahead to 13 games
this weekend, with a quick preview and prediction for each.
I’ve managed to get 6/7 correct for the past two weeks but
the European odyssey is harder to call due to the differing
approaches of the clubs. Still, here goes.
Read More...
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by
Joachim Silvestre 09
October 2008
Toulon
(3) 3 Northampton (30) 56
An experimental Toulon side were humiliated at home by
Northampton Saints, going down 3-56 with fly-half Stephen
Myler scoring 21 points for the Guinness Premiership side.
It is a result that will increase the mounting pressure on
coach Tana Umaga with the French side conceding seven tries
in a shambolic and incoherent performance that will further
undermine crumbling club confidence.
Umaga’s team selection reflected his preference for Top 14
survival, but Saints also rested Carlos Spencer, their
mercurial Kiwi fly-half, only for his replacement Myler to
steal the headlines.
The home side opened up in positive enough fashion with
Sebastien Fauque, Toulon’s only player aged over 30, kicking
a second minute penalty, but Northampton’s response was
clinical with three tries in 22 minutes leaving the home
side 3-30 down after half an hour.
Sean Lamont started the assault when he finished a
cross-field attack for his third try of the season in the
10th minute, with Myler adding the conversion from the
touchline.
The 24-year-old fly-half added a more straightforward 35m
penalty two minutes later and the home crowd were silenced
when Joe Ansbro touched down on the quarter hour.
Myler converted, inevitably, before rubbing further salt in
the Toulon wounds by slotting over from the halfway line to
take Saints 3-20 clear.
The youngster maintained his 100% success rate with yet
another penalty as Toulon’s young side struggled for
cohesion, and blood replacement Paul Diggin added
Northampton’s third try just 30 seconds after coming on for
Downey James.
Read More...
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09
October 2008
The
European Challenge Cup, the Heineken Cup’s little brother,
kicks off tonight (Thursday) with Toulon hosting Northampton
Saints at the Stade Felix Mayol.
Tana Umaga’s under-achieving Top 14 side will
be looking for a moral-boosting victory against their
Guinness Premiership opponents, although Toulon are expected
to field a much changed line-up from the one which lost
37-12 at Perpignan on Saturday.
Northampton coach Jim Mallender said he was
aware of Toulon’s travails so far this season but refused to
underestimate his Top 14 opponents.
“It will be a massive occasion, so the
challenge for us is to keep calm, stick to our game plan and
put in plenty of hard work throughout the 80 minutes,” he
said.
The Saints, who are currently ninth in the
Guinness Premiership, will have to make do without the
services of back row Neil Best after he was suspended for a
massive 18 weeks.
The Irish international was cited for
eye-gouging following Northampton’s game with Wasps and will
miss all six ECC group matches.
Seven Top 14 sides are represented in this
year’s ECC, a competition that has been dominated by English
teams of late with Clermont’s 2007 triumph the only French
victory in the past seven years.
Montpellier, Dax and Bayonne all have home
games on Saturday – against Bristol, Connacht and Viadana
respectively – with Brive, Mont-de-Marsan and Bourgoin all
playing away games on Sunday – against Overmach RP, Saracens
and Bucuresti Oaks.
Read More... |
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