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French RUGBY CONNECTIONS with Veronique Landew & Bill Hooper
Rugby Podcast with a Gallic twist (Warning: Strong French Accent from Veronique ;-) about the latest news about French Rugby: TOP 14, the 6 Nations, European Rugby, and the world of Rugby in 20 minutes! Subscribe now to the French Rugby Connections Podcast and don't miss out!
French RUGBY CONNECTIONS with Veronique Landew & Bill Hooper
A Closer Look at the Top 14: Wins, Losses, and Round 5 Predictions
In this episode of the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper discuss the significant moments from the Top 14 rugby matches of the previous week and provide predictions for the upcoming Week 5 games. They talk about Bordeaux's recent struggles, exciting games involving Montpellier and Montauban, and the standout performance of teams like Pau. The hosts also preview the anticipated matchups for the coming weekend. Additionally, they touch upon a fine imposed on Perpignan and pay tribute to the legendary French player Jean-Louis Bertranne. Tune in for expert analysis, insights, and more in this action-packed episode! Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS, the podcast with the Gallic twist!
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:46 Top 14 Recap: Bordeaux's Struggles
02:57 Exciting Matches from Last Weekend
06:15 Upcoming Weekend Matches Preview
17:14 Special Tribute to Jean-Louis Bérot
20:03 Perpignan's Troubles and Fines
20:59 Conclusion and Farewell
La formule fait tic tac tic tic Les oiseaux du lac tic tac tic pic Gloup glo glo on tous les ding Et la jolie cloche ding ding don Mais boum Quand notre cœur fait boum tout avec lui ding boum et c'est l'amour qui se veille Hey friends and welcome to a new edition of the French Rugby Connection podcast with moi Véronique Landieu and Bill Hoover Bill how are you today?
SPEAKER_01:I am fine, a little bit blown away, a little bit wet with the weather, but we've got storm Amy looking forward to another weekend of rugby.
SPEAKER_00:Round five, and we've got some exciting game, but let's summarize very briefly the top 14 last week. I think a team that didn't have a very good day in the office last week was definitely l'Union Bordeaux Bègle. Uh, when they lost uh 7 to 28 in a Stade Jamboin against Stade Francais. So are they losing their touch? What's been happening?
SPEAKER_01:I think um if I recall uh last week I I tipped Stad Francois to beat uh Bordeaux-Begle on their own patch. You did and they certainly and they and they certainly did. Um it's this what I call early season skirmishes, you get a good result one week and then a a slightly uh different result or not as good a result the following week. Um after that fantastic win against Montaban, they've um perhaps um thought a bit a little bit too much of themselves before they went up to to uh to Paris to play uh Stable Penser. But um played to Sta Ponce, they've certainly been looking uh useful at this early part of the season. So um, as I said, I wasn't too surprised by that result, and um I'm sure that uh uh Bordeaux will be looking to pull themselves together this weekend when they host Lyon.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, no, they were not really themselves, you know, they made so many mistakes, and well, having said that, you know, they've lost you know their general Maxime Lucki, who is such an instrumental player for the team, yeah, is was definitely being missed. Their coach, um Yannick Wu was very uh unhappy. So they really need to make sure that this weekend, you know, they ramp up.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, uh absolutely. Uh always yeah, being at home and they always have a really big crowd at uh Stade Chabon Del Mas uh just support them against uh whoever they're playing. I'm sure they'll get right behind the team uh this weekend, and I I I'm pretty certain that they'll uh they'll get back to winning ways against Lyon.
SPEAKER_00:Indeed. So tell me about the game that really uh drew your attention last weekend.
SPEAKER_01:Well, I think there's a couple of games that drew my attention. I I suppose you have to look at Montaubon against Montpellier and uh the fact that uh Montaubon finally got some points uh on the board uh with a 22-all draw against Montpellier, and indeed Montpellier were a little bit uh flattered perhaps to to draw that game because they they scored a try, I think, uh on the gong to snatch a draw. So um, yeah, uh obviously there was a big reaction at uh with Montaubon after the big uh defeat against uh Bordeaux the the previous week. So uh that will obviously do them power of good to sort of get their first points on the board and uh lift themselves off the bottom of the table.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, and that means Raina uh Perpignan is uh lagging at the bottom of the top 14. And you watch on Premier Sport on Sunday evening, Bayonne against Toulon. What are your thoughts about that game? Because that was a very, very close one.
SPEAKER_01:It was a close one. I I know I I said uh I think last week I I fancied Bayonne to to win that game. Um I uh I didn't think it was gonna be as tight as it was, but my gosh, what what an exciting game of what I threw out, and uh again it was uh a game one in almost in the final moments of the game with a a drop goal from Saigon to uh to clinch the points. But uh, you've got to take your hat off the toulon. They battled away, and uh they certainly were in it. And um at one stage it looked like they might actually uh create a surprise and uh become the first side to win uh at Jean Dorget for uh a long time, a wayside. Yep. So um a good game, tremendously exciting.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, uh a team that's going from strength to strength is definitely poor. My goodness, they're currently ranked number two just below to lose. They beat handsomely uh Lyon. The score was 40 to 15. So it's definitely a team to watch. They are the plan to be in the top six when one of the new managers started in 2021, and I think yeah, they are in a very good place. Let's not forget they've got some very good players, you know. They got Gailloton, they've got Assy, uh Toget, um Oradu as well. So it's very inspiring for the smaller team.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I think I mean last season we mustn't forget they they were there or thereabouts going into the final stage of the season. They uh they only just missed out, I think, on the playoffs. They weren't far away. And they certainly got the players and the caliber of players to uh really be competing uh for that top six place. Uh and I think they could well be in the mix uh this season. Obviously, a lot of it depends on keeping injury free and so forth. But as you say, Gayaton has certainly been playing very well on the few, and some of the other players as well. They they really have stood up. And uh to say they're the surprise package of the early part of the season, perhaps not it's not a surprise, but uh certainly one of the form sides.
SPEAKER_00:Mm-hmm. Yes, yeah, absolutely. Okay, so let's talk about games for this weekend.
SPEAKER_01:Let's go through the cards, shall we, for this fifth round of matches. Uh Montpellier are home to La Rochelle. That's gonna be another an interesting one. Uh, I think um La Rochelle uh good win, a good win against uh Perpignan uh last weekend. Uh Montpellier, I don't know, it it could go either way, but one. Um I I'm gonna opt for La Rochelle to get a win on the road.
SPEAKER_00:I think I uh see Montpellier as the winner because they are strong at home, but obviously their start hasn't been very consistent. Whereas you know La Rochelle um slowly but surely gets into form after having a sluggish start. So uh I think it's gonna be a close one, to be honest with you.
SPEAKER_01:I I I think it will be. I've got to go with La Rochelle because my my good friend Jack Knoll is uh back in the mix today. He came off the bench last week against Pierre Pignon, and uh he's in the mix for a uh starting position this weekend. So I'm 100% behind Jack, and I'm sure he's gonna be wanting to put in a big performance when he gets back on the pitch. So go on, Jack.
unknown:Yes.
SPEAKER_00:We got uh Castro against Racing 92. So Racing 92 has been performing well away.
SPEAKER_01:Casper coming off the back of a big defeat last weekend uh in the in the derby match against Toulouse, Toulouse scoring nine tries. Uh wow, that was a big win. And normally these games are quite tight, but uh it certainly wasn't the case last weekend. So yeah, Cast are going to be looking to sort of put things right uh on their own pitch uh against Racing, as you say, and a really good win against Clermont. Good battle there, 43-31 last week.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, yes, I anticipate a big battle between the French flair from Racing 92 and the brute force of uh of Castra. They won't take any prisoner, you know. Um I see a win for Cast personally, but maybe I'm going to be a good thing.
SPEAKER_01:I think Castro at home as well. I mean, I know they're struggling a bit, especially at Flyout, because they they've they've lost their fly out for injury. Um, but I still I still think that Castro at home that could prove a bit difficult. Morassing might get something out of the game, you know, losing bonus point, whatever. So um it could be a close one, but uh I'm gonna go for Gastro.
SPEAKER_00:Yes. Toulon against Paul. That's going to be a fascinating game to watch.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I think so. And of course, the return of the Grand Charles, as I like to call him. Charles Olivant is back from injury, he's raring to go. He's set to feature this weekend, so um be good to see him back. Unfortunately, one of our favourites, Gail Dreon, the Breton winger for Toulon, he suffered a concussion in last week's game, so he's been ruled out for this particular game. I think Toulon will, after narrowly missing out against Bayonne last week, will want to uh make a statement and get back to winning ways at Stade Mayor.
SPEAKER_00:Then Perpignon against Stade Francais. Perpignon is not having a great time right now in terms of being fine and so on, but we'll talk about that uh during the news uh slot. But Perpignan is going to entertain Stade Francais, and Stade Francais have been playing uh pretty well, I have to say. I raised my hat uh to Stade France.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I I yeah, I agree. I totally totally agree. Stade France playing really well. They've lost all their games, they've got no points on the board at all. They're rock bottom of the top 14, and as you say, you know, it's been a not a great week for them uh off the field as well. So, yeah, a little bit of chaos, a little bit of things not going right uh on or off the pitch for Perpignan, and uh I don't think it's gonna get any better for them this weekend. I I I get the feeling that Staff Ponce are gonna go down there and uh take the points.
SPEAKER_00:And then we have um Clermont against Montaubon. Clermont lost last week against Racing 92, the score was 43 to 31.
SPEAKER_01:Well, I mean Montaubon, yep, they got their first points last week, which was great for them uh against uh Montpellier, but uh in the draw, but um traveling to uh to the to the Auvergne to take on Clermont. Clermont who have shown some good form again at home. I think uh in this particular instance, like I can't see any other result than uh than a very comprehensive Clermont win.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, because uh right now Clermont is ranked 12th in the top 14, so not the greatest starts so far. They won one game only. So I think the guys will be under pressure, and because they're playing against Montaubon, which was absolutely trashed by Bordeaux Begle the previous week when they lost against uh I think it was 71, they got trashed by Bordeaux Begle. I think they will feel confident, but because Montauban equalized in the game against Montpellier, it might give them um uh uh uh extra a boost in confidence.
SPEAKER_01:Well, yes, I mean obviously uh like I said, the the band that feels good, they should have won that game because they only lost it literally the last few the last few seconds of the game. So perhaps a little bit deflated, they didn't get the win, but uh I I just just feel that home Clermont will target this game, and and I I think they'll probably win with a bonus point quite convincingly.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, I I think you're probably right, you know. I would like to see Montamon win. I would like Montamon to create uh a shock, but uh don't think it's likely. And then the final game on Sunday is Bayonne against Toulouse again. That's going to be a must-watch game. Bayonne is currently ranked number five and Toulouse top of a tree.
SPEAKER_01:What I've liked about uh, I mean Toulouse have had one slip up the season, but what I like about what I've seen from Toulouse is that they've managed to bring a lot of younger players in or fringe players in, players who've been in and around the squad for the last couple of seasons, and they're slowly getting some game time and perhaps being looked at on a more regular basis to be in the side. Uh Cramon, for instance, with a hooker coming on, scored three tries last week, and of course, the younger Entermat, Teo Entermat, playing at number eight, he got a couple of tries. He's been around with squad for a couple of seasons now. He's getting a little bit of a tryout. So they bring these players in and they seem to fit into the system. And you know, last weekend that was uh a really, really good performance by Toulouse against New Neighbours Cast. So going down to Bayonne, as we know, it's not an easy place to go down there. But they managed to sneak out their win last week against Toulon to keep their home record intact. It's on the line again this weekend against Toulouse. I don't know. This one could go either way. I think it's it's that close, but I think Toulouse might just have enough in the tank to sort of uh just eke out a win.
SPEAKER_00:And Bayon, like you say, I mean, Jean d'Auger Stadium is a fortress. They haven't lost any games for donkey years, I think since last year. So it's gonna be uh a challenging game for Toulouse.
SPEAKER_01:Uh oh yeah, Toulouse would have to go in down there, and they're gonna have to be able to uh bring their A game. No two ways about it. Best finding below par then to Bayonne would turn them over. There's no question about it.
SPEAKER_00:And let's not forget about Bordeaux Begle uh against Lyon on Saturday evening. Bordeaux Begle needs to improve.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I think again, um I'm sure that uh Yamik Brew would have um perhaps given them the uh the hairdryer treatment um during the week, basically get back on the wagon and uh start to get back up the table. Uh already five points behind to lose. They don't want to slip any further behind than that. And I I I I think there'll be a reaction, he'll demand a reaction from the players, and I think he'll get one. And I I think uh uh Border Begle will run out comfortable winners against uh Lyon.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, but Lyon is a tough cookie as well, you know. So they're full of surprises, so we'll see uh uh what they come up with. So difficult to set that one. I think Bordeaux Beugles, you know, they need to get their pride back after their their four games last week, but um we shall see indeed. So can you briefly remind us the games?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, on Saturday it's uh Montpellier against La Rochelle, Toulon against Pau, Clermont against Montaubon, Cast against Rasting, Perpignan against Taspense, Baudober home to Lyon, and then on Sunday uh Bayonne against Toulouse.
SPEAKER_00:Indeed. And the ranking, let me tell you about the uh top six. So Toulouse with 14 points, Poe 14 points, Lyon 13, Racing 90 to 12, Bayonne 12, La Rochelle 10, bearing in mind that uh uh La Rochelle uh didn't play two weeks ago because of the torrential rain. They will be playing the game sometime in November, as well as Toulon, and then ranked uh number seven.
SPEAKER_01:Okay, so Stad François also on 10, Border Begler on nine, Toulon on nine, Montpellier on eight, Castro on seven, Clemon on five, Montaub on two points, and then bottom of the pile, Papignon, nothing.
SPEAKER_00:Exactly. So ProD2 for our French team van, that was a tough call. That was a very hard win.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah, it was uh a very tough win last night down in Dax in Le Landes, and a very emotional night. It was the first time they've had a chance to uh pay their respects to Jean-Louis Biol. So they wanted to put in a good performance, I'm sure, to honour his memory, and they certainly did that by giving Van a really hard game. And Van only just managed to eak out a win 16-15, so uh that win takes Van to the top of the table in the provisionally ahead of the games that are going to take place later on tonight.
SPEAKER_00:Absolutely. Yes, you are right. You know, he was uh a monumental player, maybe more from your era. But uh, can you tell us a little bit about him?
SPEAKER_01:Well, he was a phenomenal player. He spent most of his career playing for Banyere, right down there in the uh in the Pyrenees. As I said, uh a prince of centres, he also played occasionally on the wing. In fact, in his early days, he he played on the wing before moving to the centre, but he was uh an absolutely phenomenal centre. 69 times he was selected to play for France, which was um at the time was a record for France until it was uh surpassed by Serge Blanco um uh and a prolific try scorer. He scored his try in his debut game against England at Twickenham in in 1971. And interestingly enough, living here in Cornwall, he actually played in Cornwall on one occasion, and that was in 1970, when he travelled here and played um against the Cornish Cornwall 15 with France B. And he was listed then as a 20-year-old student, uh, and what a what a career he had ahead of him. Um didn't know that at the time, but yeah, uh and he and he did score a try on that occasion as well. The French team won 14-13. As you say, once from my era, uh and uh somebody we'll never forget, uh part of the Grand Slam size of 1977 and 1981.
SPEAKER_00:Correct, absolutely manage uh uh with you know the likes of Jean-Pierre Yvan and so on, you know, one too grand schlemm, two grand slam, and his nickname was Petit Toureau Furieux. He was nicknamed by uh Jacques Fourou, and Petit Touroux Petit Toureau Furieux means small furious bull. He was a very vivacious on the pitch. So very much so.
SPEAKER_01:I mean his shock of dark hair, you couldn't miss in the long dark hair, and uh he was a little bull, much as we've described uh Antoine Dupont as a little as a bull in modern day rugby, but he he he certainly was a little bull and um great player, great player.
SPEAKER_00:So let's talk briefly about Perpignon. So Perpignan got fined 50,000 euro because of the pitch invasion last week, and there was some confrontation between supporters, and uh they will have to play a game with no spectators.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, well, and of course we must remember there was trouble with the ProDo barrage match with the Grinog back in the last season, so they're already on a warning. That's why they've been given a 50,000 euro fine and a two match suspended, a two match ban one is suspended. So yeah, but it doesn't help a situation that be on with what's going on off the pitch as well as on the pitch.
SPEAKER_00:Correct. So rugby friends, I hope you enjoyed our quick summary and let us stop 14 rugby um news. And that note, alley, au revoir.
SPEAKER_01:A biento.
SPEAKER_02:A bientôt la pendule face tic tac tic tic, les oiseaux de la tic tac tic tic, blou blou blou on toulet d'un et la jolie cloche ding ding don. Mais boum, quand notre cur fait boom, tout avec lui ding boom, it's lamo qui s'éveille.
