Tag: Toulouse

French exclusion zone is growing

It seems a criminal waste that players of the calibre of flanker Jack Willis and winger Henry Arundell are unavailable for England this autumn. They […]

Maverick Jalibert makes his case

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN HOW do you solve a problem like Matthieu Jalibert? The 25-year-old Bordeaux fly-half is, undoubtedly, one of the talents of French […]

Gustard needs to get Stade rocking

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN THE November break cannot come quickly enough for Stade Francais, no matter what happens against Clermont in Paris on Saturday night […]

French lessons inspire Joe El-Abd

By Adam Hathaway Joe El-Abd, England’s new defence coach, revealed his time with Toulon’s Galacticos helped him realise you need more than talent and money […]

Gray opts for overseas role

SCOTLAND second row Richie Gray will leave Glasgow at the end of November to pursue a playing opportunity abroad. Glasgow say the 35-year-old’s move to […]

Bordeaux enjoy a 10-try feast

BORDEAUX-Begles finished last season at the end of June on the receiving end of the most one-sided of all French finals, swamped on a Mediterranean […]

DREAMTEAM

MURRAY M cCALLUM, THE NEWCASTLE AND FORMER SCOTLAND, EDINBURGH AND WORCESTER PROP, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH… 1. Rory Sutherland – One […]

Stick or twist? The choice at 10

Paul Rees looks ahead to New Zealand’s heavyweight matches against world champions South Africa The Rugby Championship title could be decided in the next two […]

When the French were sent packing

BRENDAN GALLAGHER ON WHY FRANCE ENDED UP SPENDING 16 YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS Brendan Gallagher looks back on ‘The Rupture’ when the four Home Unions […]

Carbonel will add the flair for Stade

James Harrington French column Last season, Stade Francais finished second in the Top 14 to qualify directly for the semi-finals – where an after-the-hooter conversion […]

La Rochelle hit lucky

It was a while ago, now, but French rugby watchers with longer memories may recall the other Top 14 semi-final between Toulouse and La Rochelle […]

How the sun keeps shining for Spain

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER Impressive: Joel Merkler in action for Toulouse PICTURE: Getty Images IT’S been […]

Why SVNS makes sense for the future

CHRIS HEWETT THINKING ALLOWED Rugby sevens – or SVNS, as a London-based team of funkily-dressed marketing executives have somehow succeeded in rebranding it – used […]

Jaminet appeals against long ban

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN FRANCE international Melvyn Jaminet is to appeal against a 34- week suspension and €30,000 fine imposed by the FFR’s disciplinary committee […]