Top 14 22/23

[Dexter]

Starts today.
Watching LAR v Montpelier, pretty dull stuff.

[blockhead]

A cardiac problem that jeopardises Virimi Vakatawa's health when playing elite rugby has forced the France centre to end his career.

A day after Vakatawa's club Racing 92 said medical officials were banning him from playing in France, club doctor Sylvain Blanchard told a news conference on Tuesday that a heart defect was evolving and first diagnosed before the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Blanchard said it was decided at the time that Vakatawa could continue playing under extra medical surveillance but the latest advice was not to take any risk.

[Ruckedtobits]

Strange weekend, but typical of Top 14. Each of the top three beaten, unexpectedly. Toulouse by Bayonne who have taken a couple of notable scalps in the sunshine at home (it was 24C yesterday in Bayonne). La Rochelle were given a lesson in humility by Pau (according to local press reports) whilst Montpellier have finally woken from their Champion's slumber and defeated Stade Francais.

None of the top three lost their position in the league but it brought a few others into contention which will ensure some juicy contests in the coming weeks, when the International stars are keeping the TV audiences entertained.

Toulon, Racing92 & Castres should be the major beneficiaries and each team has shown potential already but not enough consistency.

The next three rounds will probably set up the League for the remainder of the season but expect at least five teams in contention by mid-December.

[Ruckedtobits]

Toulon (4th) also slip up against Bordeaux. 3rd to 11th now covered by three points and some big match-ups in the coming weeks. Spectator numbers everywhere really strong. France back in love with rugby.

[neill_m]

Dan Biggar has joined Toulon for rest of season from Saints (his contract there is up in the Summer).

[Ruckedtobits]

Who does RO'G bring on after 51 mins today for his LAR debut except my new favourite THP Alex Kuntelia, the 19 year old Georgian at 6'6" and 135 kg. Seven tries, including a late penalty try against Castres in a 53-7 win. Watch this guy.

[Oldschool]

Who does RO'G bring on after 51 mins today for his LAR debut except my new favourite THP Alex Kuntelia, the 19 year old Georgian at 6'6" and 135 kg. Seven tries, including a late penalty try against Castres in a 53-7 win. Watch this guy.

He got 12 minutes off the bench against Wales in the 12-13 win.
Scrum on 76 minutes for the winning penalty was awesome.

[Ruckedtobits]

Fascinating result from LAR who were beaten at home by neighbours Bordeaux by 8-12. A boring match with high percentage of kicking but an object lesson in what happens if you tackle and contain the LAR maul.

LAR unloaded all the heavies for the second half but Bordeaux contained them and scored two vital drop goals at important times.

A full house in LAR went away very disappointed at the fourth bad second-half in a row.

[Ruckedtobits]

Racing 92 were smeared all over their home stadium last evening by Stade Francais. Their pack is papier maché at this stage and their much vaunted backline looks bereft of direction. Parra was a great signing for Stade and how good does he look still when playing behind a dominant pack.

[Barry]

Penaud moving from Clermont to Bordeaux at the end of the season

Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

[Ruckedtobits]

Penaud moving from Clermont to Bordeaux at the end of the season

If you get a chance on either Premier Sports or YouTube have a look at LAR v UBB from last weekend and it will be very clear the vision that was offered to Penaud.

An excellent signing.

[neill_m]

Christophe Urios new Clermont boss till Summer 2025 with option of additional year. Will start his duties next week, all the current coaches staying in post and will have a chat with him next week.

[the spoofer]

Lads and ladies, when we give out about refs in the URC I’d suggest that you look at how UBB are getting screwed over against Toulouse. It’s unbelievable.

[neill_m]

Oyonnax won the ProD2 playoffs and they will replace Brive in the league for 23/24. Perpignan stay in the league after winning at Grenoble 33-19 in the promotion/relegation playoff.

Stade 20-33 Racing 92 in first barrage game, will now play Toulouse in San Sebastian on Friday. La Rochelle will play winner of Lyon/Bordeaux (tonight) on Saturday, also in San Sebastian.

[Ruckedtobits]

Sweetman is playing full-back for Oyannax.and C. Farrell at centre No. 13 Anyone we know?

[neill_m]

Oyonnax won the ProD2 playoffs and they will replace Brive in the league for 23/24. Perpignan stay in the league after winning at Grenoble 33-19 in the promotion/relegation playoff.

Stade 20-33 Racing 92 in first barrage game, will now play Toulouse in San Sebastian on Friday. La Rochelle will play winner of Lyon/Bordeaux (tonight) on Saturday, also in San Sebastian.

Lyon 25-32 Bordeaux tonight.

[nc6000]

Sweetman is playing full-back for Oyannax.and C. Farrell at centre No. 13 Anyone we know?

Yep, both are ex-Munster.

[the spoofer]

That’s a paddling

[nc6000]

That’s a paddling

Absolutely hammered. Pretty appalling performance from Racing, best of luck with that Stu.

[FLIP]

That’s a paddling

Absolutely hammered. Pretty appalling performance from Racing, best of luck with that Stu.

At least he doesn't have to deal with Finn Russell, he's Baths problem now.