Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
Home advantage meant nothing for Lyon and Castres, as they overcame Toulon and Toulouse respectively, in their Top14 Barrages to book their places in the 2017/18 semi-finals. Lyon will take on Montpellier; while Castres will face Racing, to determine who will make it to the Top14 grand final at the Stade de France, on Saturday […] READ MORE
ProD2 runners-up Grenoble have been promoted to the Top14, after a 47-22 victory over Oyonnax. The promotion/relegation play-off win sees Grenoble head back to the French top flight, having dropped down this time last season. The loss means relegation for Oyonnax, who went in to the game as favourites. #AccessMatch► Bravo au @FCGrugby qui accède […] READ MORE
Leinster and Racing92 are well known for their forward prowess, and have displayed it throughout their successful Champions Cup campaign. It’s recently been written that Racing could, if they wished, put out a pack weighing in excess of 1000kg. It’s not the side they have gone with, but here’s a look how both sides will […] READ MORE
A Top14 Round 26 weekend culminated in the confirmation of Montpellier and Racing’s passage into the semi-finals. The final weekend of the regular season also resulted in the four playoff places being set. Soon, those teams vying for a spot in the semi-finals and possible finale at the Stade de France in Paris, will all collide. […] READ MORE
The penultimate weekend of the regular season is behind teams, and a Top14 Round 25 clash at Stade Francais ultimately condemned Brive to the second tier of French rugby next season. Having been threatened with relegation for the majority of the season, Oyonnax have a ‘final round reprieve’ before a likely repecharge fixture against the ProD2 […] READ MORE
It was a matter of when and not if for Chris Ashton in overtaking Fijian Napolioni Nalaga as the record try scorer, touching down a 22nd time. Fortunately for Ashton it came in the Top14 Round 24, giving him two more games of the regular season to further stamp his mark in France in astonishing […] READ MORE
The Top14 Round 23 action followed a weekend of some fantastic European quarter-finals. Both Racing and Pau progressed after two all-French last eight ties. The rest of the league enjoyed a much needed rest, which meant refreshed bodies going in to the final few games that will determine final placings. But, more importantly, it could […] READ MORE
Chris Ashton, the forgotten Englishman, is quickly becoming somewhat of a hero in Southern France. Edging closer to becoming the all time top try-scorer in Toulon colours, murmurs of what could have been are ever present, particularly with England faltering in the attacking department. But a Top14 Round 22 clash against Clermont was all Ashton […] READ MORE
The latest action of the 2017/18 French Top 14 is offering up a mix of results. While the leaders show their qualities, others are demonstrating incredible spirit. And in the Top14 Round 21 wrap the Oyonnax team have grabbed the attention away from the pacesetters. Oyonnax have dominated the headlines of late, and rightly so […] READ MORE
Competition at the foot of the table is gaining momentum and a Top14 Round 20 clash for Oyonnax at Bordeaux, is the pick of the action. Timing their form just right could be just the catalyst, for pulling off the ‘great escape’ from relegation. And as teams watched on, as the national side devastated English […] READ MORE
Rugby writer focusing predominantly on Aviva Premiership and Top14. Big fan of Super Rugby and all things international.
Covered World Rugby U20 Championships in Georgia (2017) for LWOR, ESPN and Rugby World.
Planning for RWC in Japan 2019.