Noa Nakaitaci key to Clermont Success

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Clermont lead the early season Top 14 table. The top of the table has been unsteady in the early days. Toulon’s struggles continue to mount, and Racing 92 are fighting to find their stride. Last season’s leaders at the end of the regular season find themselves back on top. This success has been due in […] READ MORE


Why France Must Move on from Guy Novès

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Guy Novès’ hiring after France’s 2015 Rugby World Cup capitulation was met with praise from many corners of the rugby world. The former Toulouse coach had developed the rouge et noir into domestic and European juggernauts. He built a dominant pack and complimented it with a dynamic and entertaining backline led by the magician Frederic […] READ MORE



Great Expectations in Rugby Union

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The second year in the World Cup cycle could be thought of as 'calm period'. But that would be the wrong attitude. Rugby must promote the ball! Like any sport, maintain high standards and hold onto their support base, while growing new fans across all regions. That is the key to success. And with great expectation in Rugby Union, there will be plenty to report on over these next twelve months. READ MORE


Clermont Fly Half Injured Prior to Tough Match vs Toulon

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Clermont Fly Half Patricio Fernandez to Miss 8-10 Weeks of Play Patricio Fernandez, the 22 year old Argentinian phenom, and current Clermont Fly Half suffered a torn Hamstring injury in Clermont’s match this weekend against Toulouse. According to L’Equipe, ‘Fernandez will not be expected to return to Clermont Auvergne until March’ and this has been confirmed […] READ MORE


MCXM III: Top 14 Final and Dane Coles Virtuoso Performance

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With the New Year fast approaching, Last Word On Rugby are reflecting back on a fine year. From the 2016 Top 14 Final, to International matches and Super Rugby, the LWOR highlights series are wide and varied. As part of the MCXM Top 10 memories of 2016, the third in our series see’s contributions from European rugby expert Josh Bradham, […] READ MORE


Pascal Pape’s Theatrics Shameful to Rugby

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French international star Pascal Pape embarrasses French rugby with his actions against Edinburgh. Stade Francais faced off against Edinburgh in the third round of the European Challenge Cup on Saturday. The match was fun, exciting, and an absolute joy to watch. The match also provided another controversy to distract slightly from the Dylan Hartley debacle. […] READ MORE


Racing 92 Look to Improve European Standings

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Last year’s Champions Cup finalists Racing 92 will try to improve their position in the Champions Cup this weekend against Glasgow. Racing 92 had a difficult start to their season this year. Going into the opening round of Champions Cup play Racing was 4-4 in the Top 14. Frequent injury to key personnel, such as […] READ MORE


Who Can Stop Saracens?

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After seeing off Wasps and Toulon in successive weeks the question is, can anyone stop Saracens this year? Who Can Stop Saracens? A destructive display by the Sarries saw them beat Toulon, despite playing nearly a quarter of the game with 14-men. The reigning Premiership and European Champions saw two players sin-binned, but this didn’t […] READ MORE


The Fall of French Giants Toulouse

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French giants Toulouse’s defeat away to Connacht in the first round of the European Champions Cup shouldn’t have come as a surprise to many. The result in Galway is a measure of how much rugby’s landscape has changed. Not only have Connacht emerged as a team that can, and have, won trophies, but their style […] READ MORE