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Who's going to start for Stade Racing Francais Metro? And other talking points from the weekend's rugby
England’s super 18 is included, but this week’s two-pint question from the northern hemisphere is: who should play for Paris’s new super-team?
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Win number 18
In beating Scotland at Twickenham to lift the Calcutta Cup at the weekend, Eddie Jones’ men equalled the All Blacks‘ record of 18 consecutive Test match victories. The irony is that the side standing in the way of England overtaking New Zealand is the same side that ended New Zealand’s run in the first place. The debate ahead of the St Pat’s weekend match in Dublin has been whose 18 consecutive wins is the superior run – though it really should not be. The All Blacks scored more points, conceded fewer, played away from home more often, and faced – other than Namibia, who were a World Cup training exercise blip in the All Blacks’ streak – more high-quality teams. There never has been any real argument about which team is better. No, the debate should focus on whether, and how, Ireland could stop England moving on to stand alone with a 19-win record, and winning a Grand Slam in the process. Or, is a back-to-back Grand Slam inevitable. Under official bar-room rugby conversation regulations*, anyone who mentions Cyprus’s 24-match streak should be instantly fined an extra round of beers.
Return flight of the Goose?
Johan Goosen could return to Racing 92 to resurrect a rugby career that was ended by a case of premature retirement in December, according to media reports in France. He was probably left with little choice, given his legal situation, after he suddenly walked out a sizeable portion of a €40,000-a-month deal, prompting the club to threaten legal proceedings, and Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal to brand any other team that may try to hire him as ‘bastards’. It’s probably fair to say neither Goosen nor Racing have come out of this sorry saga well – but the question is whether, after all that has happened over the past few months, the two sides can rebuild burned bridges. And what about his new employers?
To merge or not to merge
Part of the answer to the Goosen question could be the announcement this week that the Top 14’s two Paris-based sides, and two of French rugby’s originals – Racing 92 and Stade Francais – have unveiled plans to merge. Assuming that the plan gets rubber-stamped by the Ligue National de Rugby, there will be just one Paris team in the Top 14 next season. So, this week’s two-pint question (barring rogue mentions of Cyprus during any New Zealand / England debate) is: which players would you keep from the two clubs? Remember, French rugby has a salary cap, and it is enforced.
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In at the side
Forwards (and a fair few backs) all over the world giggled at England winger Jonny May’s scrummaging efforts during the November internationals, but few Irish eyes were smiling when centre Robbie Henshaw decided to add his weight and muscle to an apparently unstoppable rolling maul a few metres from the Welsh line during the two sides’ Six Nations match at the Principality Stadium. His problem? He joined at the side, leaving the referee little option but to award the Welsh a penalty. At the time there was barely anything between the two sides in what was an epic blood-and-thunder match, and he has since admitted that he did not understand the maul laws. Apparently, for the second time in this Six Nations, elite players seem not entirely au fait with the laws of the game that they play – is it time, then, maybe for them to sit a rugby theory test?
Bordeaux blues
It had to happen. Raphael Ibanez has announced he will leave Bordeaux at the end of the season. For the longest time, Rafa had a love-love relationship with the fans, with many expecting, even hoping, that he would be the one to take over from Philippe Saint-Andre. But all is far from rosy in the Bordeaux garden these days. Ironically, their vital bonus-point win over Grenoble at the weekend – their first in the Top 14 since November, which ended their downward spiral and saw them move to eighth in the standings – was probably the final nail in the coffin. The thing is, Ibanez was not there when the Begles ended their winning streak. Instead, he was in Rome, being the perfect pundit for broadcaster France 2’s coverage of the Six Nations match between Italy and France. Conor O’Shea’s predecessor as Italy boss Jacques Brunel, who has been on the staff at the club since leaving his Azzurri post, was the man on the ground, alongside Émile NTamack, and looks favourite to take over.
*No official bar-room rugby conversation
regulations exist. Though they probably should.
And, no doubt, they soon will. Watch this space.
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
20 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
8 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
72 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
20 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
8 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
15 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
20 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
20 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
20 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
2 Go to comments