French Top 14 2015/2016

[simonokeeffe]

Toulon chucking toys out of pram again, they got fined €100,000 for breaking the salary cap in 2014/2015 season

Did love that the league 'reevaluated' 3 players salaries for that season

[Rémy63]

If you want something else than the awful Toulon-Brive just watch the full game of Stade vs Clermont. Superb. Even if my team did it again at the end and didn't manage to win that one...

We should just learned how to be smarter from the 75th minute to the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWAwIHHkZUs

[rooster]

Despite all of the protests, online petitions and newspaper articles, Ruan Pienaar will leave Ulster this season and join Montpellier on a three year deal.

Although the scrum half wanted to remain at Ravenhill for the foreseeable future, the IRFU’s succession policy put an end to any such aspirations, leaving Ulster without one of their star players next season.

Even before Pienaar’s exit had been confirmed by Ulster, he had been the subject of interest from Montpellier, who have wasted little time in securing the 88 times capped Springbok international according to Rugbyrama.

Although his move to last season’s Challenge Cup winners should not come as a surprise, the length of the contract offered to Pienaar certainly is.

At 32 years age, Pienaar certainly has a lot to give the game, however a three year deal seems rather long. Indeed, with the scrum half set to turn 33 in March of next year, Montpellier are signing a player who is coming toward the end of his career.

Furthermore, despite recent success, Jake White’s position is in doubt, as Montpellier’s President is unhappy with South African’s overtures toward England and Ireland.

Consequently, Sports Auvergne linked Montpellier with a move for Vern Cotter in recent weeks.

Alan Drumm, Pundit Arena

[simonokeeffe]

Jake White being a mercenary and an egotist shocker, I wouldnt want him for Ireland personally

IMO he also wanst to get out before new rules on French (academy) qualified players kick in and he has to start using non store bought players

[Ruckedtobits]

Good to see a bit of disquiet growing in Montpelier. Their recruitment model is the most disturbing in French rugby, bar none.

[simonokeeffe]

crowds seem to be way down across T14

also reports Toulon is for sale!

[rooster]

crowds seem to be way down across T14

also reports Toulon is for sale!

Sugar daddy bored or spent too much ?

[Dave Cahill]

Toulon is for sale every time Mourad gets a pain in his tits.

[simonokeeffe]

Toulon is for sale every time Mourad gets a pain in his tits.

Thought that was him threatening to leave competitions?

[rooster]

Some day his bra straps will snap and he will walk away though

[Dave Cahill]

I reckon he'll sell his majority stake at some stage alright, sooner or later, but he keeps getting piqued and threatening to walk away. Someday he'll go too far and find the door has slammed behind him

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I'm picturing him selling comics outside the stadium in 40 years.

"He used to own this place you know"

[Ruckedtobits]

Why wait for 40 years?

[blockhead]

L'ÉQUIPEVerified account
‏@lequipe
Des traces de corticoïdes dans les urines de Carter, Rokocoko et Imhoff lors de la finale du Top 14 2016

[ribs]

Wow, is this the start of proper drug enforcement in rugby?

[Ruckedtobits]

Wow, is this the start of proper drug enforcement in rugby?

Or at least a full expose on how widespread are TUE's (Theraputic Use Exemptions) for top Western sports stars. Is it a case of find the best doctor? Or is the suspicion about TUE's that they used as masking agents for more sinister purposes. The incidence among top sports stars, in endurance sports, of asthma or comparable conditions, is very evident.

[Ruckedtobits]

Wow, is this the start of proper drug enforcement in rugby?

Or at least a full expose on how widespread are TUE's (Theraputic Use Exemptions) for top Western sports stars. Is it a case of find the best doctor? Or is the suspicion about TUE's that they are being used as masking agents for more sinister purposes. The incidence among top sports stars, in endurance sports, of asthma or comparable conditions, is very evident.

[simonokeeffe]

There seems to be a crackdown on TUEs

At his age and mileage Carter must be supplemented to the gills at least

[Morf]

Wow, is this the start of proper drug enforcement in rugby?

Or at least a full expose on how widespread are TUE's (Theraputic Use Exemptions) for top Western sports stars. Is it a case of find the best doctor? Or is the suspicion about TUE's that they used as masking agents for more sinister purposes. The incidence among top sports stars, in endurance sports, of asthma or comparable conditions, is very evident.

Listened to a podcast on respiratory physiology in an exercise context and certain elite-level training seems to trigger the adult-onset asthma.

I'm not doubting that it's misused in certain cases but it's not a complete white elephant in this case.

[simonokeeffe]

Wow, is this the start of proper drug enforcement in rugby?

Or at least a full expose on how widespread are TUE's (Theraputic Use Exemptions) for top Western sports stars. Is it a case of find the best doctor? Or is the suspicion about TUE's that they used as masking agents for more sinister purposes. The incidence among top sports stars, in endurance sports, of asthma or comparable conditions, is very evident.

Listened to a podcast on respiratory physiology in an exercise context and certain elite-level training seems to trigger the adult-onset asthma.

I'm not doubting that it's misused in certain cases but it's not a complete white elephant in this case.

thats interesting
Cummiskey was on the radio at the weekend as part of his journey into Farnno mammy worrying and was wondering about why so many players need inhalers