France

[johng]

He's like Risteard O'Streabhass of the Mullingar O'Streabhasses or Isaac Boss of the Bossmen of Kinsealy. Or even Mickey Bent of BentMickeyTown Co Carlow.

I think it is a reflection of Toulon's dominance in Europe and also a repudiation of the theory that they are "bad for the French national team" It may have taken a few years but they are the "bulk supplier" (© Gerry Thornley) to the French team.

[hugonaut]

He's like Risteard O'Streabhass of the Mullingar O'Streabhasses or Isaac Boss of the Bossmen of Kinsealy. Or even Mickey Bent of BentMickeyTown Co Carlow.

I think it is a reflection of Toulon's dominance in Europe and also a repudiation of the theory that they are "bad for the French national team" It may have taken a few years but they are the "bulk supplier" (© Gerry Thornley) to the French team.

Against that is the fact that Toulon signed the majority of those players when they were already French internationals, John.

Chiocci and Bruni are Toulon-reared players as far as I know. Menini came from Biarritz [and was elsewhere before there], but was not capped before he came to Toulon last season.

Guirado, Mermoz and Taofifenua came from Perpignan as French internationals, Tillous-Borde from Castres as an international, Matthieu Bastareaud from Stade Francais as an international.

So they have produced two, arguably three of that French squad, and one of them only got in because of an injury to another player. And France aren't very good at the moment.

[fourthirtythree]

So in a 14 team league one team being the bulk supplier is "good"?

Are France "good" right now? I must say I hadn't noticed that.

[johng]

He's like Risteard O'Streabhass of the Mullingar O'Streabhasses or Isaac Boss of the Bossmen of Kinsealy. Or even Mickey Bent of BentMickeyTown Co Carlow.

I think it is a reflection of Toulon's dominance in Europe and also a repudiation of the theory that they are "bad for the French national team" It may have taken a few years but they are the "bulk supplier" (© Gerry Thornley) to the French team.

Against that is the fact that Toulon signed the majority of those players when they were already French internationals, John.

Chiocci and Bruni are Toulon-reared players as far as I know. Menini came from Biarritz [and was elsewhere before there], but was not capped before he came to Toulon last season.

Guirado, Mermoz and Taofifenua came from Perpignan as French internationals, Tillous-Borde from Castres as an international, Matthieu Bastareaud from Stade Francais as an international.

So they have produced two, arguably three of that French squad, and one of them only got in because of an injury to another player. And France aren't very good at the moment.

Fair enough Hugo. I was over egging it a little. Careful about playing down France though. They have a habit of doing well at the WC no matter how chyte they are. Just as well they are not in our grou....... Oh.

[Dave Cahill]

Taofifenua was born and raised in France.

[paddyor]

Taofifenua was born and raised in France.

So I was nearly right.......It's the Mont de Marsan Taofifenuas

[Morf]

He's like Risteard O'Streabhass of the Mullingar O'Streabhasses or Isaac Boss of the Bossmen of Kinsealy. Or even Mickey Bent of BentMickeyTown Co Carlow.

I think it is a reflection of Toulon's dominance in Europe and also a repudiation of the theory that they are "bad for the French national team" It may have taken a few years but they are the "bulk supplier" (© Gerry Thornley) to the French team.

Great folk, mad with a few jars in 'em though . . .

[Toulon fan]

Toulon : 8 players But its only mercenaries as we know it

All home grown born and bread on the Côte d'Azur of course...

Nowadays: 60% of the population in the south east of France is not born there.
However, if you have any problem with that, you'd better never come down here for any reason.

[fourthirtythree]

Nowadays: 60% of the population in the south east of France is not born there.
However, if you have any problem with that, you'd better never come down here for any reason.

Now you're just trolling. It must have struck a nerve. And rightly so: Toulon is a serious problem for rugby firstly in France where the state of the national team should be an embarrassment to any genuine fan, but eventually internationally.

[jezzer]

There was speculation Brock James (Baroque Jacques?) might be called up for France, but so far no white smoke there.

[Toulon fan]

Now you're just trolling. It must have struck a nerve. And rightly so: Toulon is a serious problem for rugby firstly in France where the state of the national team should be an embarrassment to any genuine fan, but eventually internationally.

Uh yeah. That... Thing.
I was just giving a stat.
But it seems you're a bit on your nerves. Clearly you're more embarassed than me with that.

[simonno6]

Now you're just trolling. It must have struck a nerve. And rightly so: Toulon is a serious problem for rugby firstly in France where the state of the national team should be an embarrassment to any genuine fan, but eventually internationally.

Uh yeah. That... Thing.
I was just giving a stat.
But it seems you're a bit on your nerves. Clearly you're more embarassed than me with that.

Your 'stat' had absolutely nothing to do with how many of the Toulon players named in the current French squad came through their youth system (2/8).

Au Revoir

[Peg Leg]

There was speculation Brock James (Baroque Jacques?) might be called up for France, but so far no white smoke there.

Too late now, you'd have to think?

[Toulon fan]

Your 'stat' had absolutely nothing to do with how many of the Toulon players named in the current French squad came through their youth system (2/8).

Au Revoir

Yeah. I guess the native region of people living here should have nothing to do with the origin of our academy pupils. Of course...
I know you're living on the magic island, and that you don't really know nor care about french rugby history. But I don't think that pointing at the origin village/town/country of people is something that should be a shame, especially in the rugby world.

And please, we are talking about a 30 men french squad here. There are 14 clubs. Please do your maths: how many average players by club do we need?
30/14= 2,14
Sorry, we couldn't find a 0,14 player in our local school.

[JB1973]

Not sure how many you need,. However if you have sides where over 50% of the match day squad is not from France you clearly have an issue , the FFR should grow a set and put a limit of 10 non French players per match day squad.


Correct me if I'm wrong but Toloun had 12 non French players starting in the game and 3 more on the bench, too me that is excessive.


As for the T14 Clermont have started well but Toloun look to be the heavy favourites to win the thing and at Tolouse is time running out for Noves?

[Toulon fan]

Correct me if I'm wrong but Toloun had 12 non French players starting in the game and 3 more on the bench, too me that is excessive.

Yes, you're wrong.
Last week end group versus Montpellier:
8 foreigners.
4 foreigners coming from a french academy, 2 of them from our own academy.
11 french, 3 of them from our own academy.


1MENINI
2GUIRADO
3HAYMAN
4TAOFIFENUA
5SUTA
6SMITH
7BRUNI
8MASOE
9TILLOUS-BORDE
10GITEAU
11SMITH
12MERMOZ
13WULF
14O'CONNOR
15ARMITAGE

16BARCELLA
17CHIOCCI
18MIKAUTADZE
19GORGODZE
20BASTAREAUD
21ARMITAGE
22ESCANDE
23CHILACHAVA

[JB1973]

my mistake I meant 12 in the starting hc final win, I have checked the records and that was correct.

So for this weeks game you had 11 French out of 23? less than half the squad? still nothing to boast about really is it?

[Toulon fan]

OMG I'm so ashamed. I should hang myself right now.
Oh wait. I don't care.
That semifinal still gives you some burning bellyaches at night, uh?

[JB1973]

As I'm not a Leinster fan it doesn't bother me at all

Personally I wouldn't enjoy my side winning a trophy with 12 starting players imported from all over the world , it's just not what I would want from my rugby club.

But I can't disagree Toloun are a terrific side and you cannot fault their owners ambitions and willingness to fund his team.

I don't begrudge you your success ,enjoy it while you can. Let's face it if your owner decides to leave you will quickly find yourself back in the second tier of French rugby and an after thought in the major European competitions

[Toulon fan]

Oh I've been there before, and more deeper than that, and I saw no devil there and was not jealous of anyone then.
While I was there, you were probably already judging people on their face or their ID cards? Were you?