The Fall of France

[Which Tyler]

It’s only right that they should be properly punished for not committing any crimes.

Doesn't mention any crimes at all, just the absolutely standard curfew.

“Jacques Brunel has decided to exclude from that list the players who went out after the defeat in Scotland.”

“By this inappropriate behaviour, they have disrespected their status as an international player and the duties that go with it.”

It is now inappropriate behaviour to go out for a few drinks after a Rugby game?

Joyless bastards. If that’s professional Rugby, you can shove it.

Welcome to... what? 2001 or so

[Stones of granite]

Doesn't mention any crimes at all, just the absolutely standard curfew.

“Jacques Brunel has decided to exclude from that list the players who went out after the defeat in Scotland.”

“By this inappropriate behaviour, they have disrespected their status as an international player and the duties that go with it.”

It is now inappropriate behaviour to go out for a few drinks after a Rugby game?

Joyless bastards. If that’s professional Rugby, you can shove it.

Welcome to... what? 2001 or so

1991 more like

I never claimed to be "with it"

[cashead]

I used to be with "it," but then they changed what "it" was. Now what I'm with is no longer "it," and what's "it" seems weird and scary to me. And it'll happen to you!

[rowan]

French Rugby chiefs have launched an investigation that could recommend sanctions for a number of players who were involved in “inappropriate behaviour” in Edinburgh over the weekend.

Eight players who went out in Edinburgh after the defeat were omitted from the squad for the next game against Italy.


“The President of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) Bernard Laporte has decided to conduct an internal investigation to shed light on the course of the evening,” said the FFR in a statement.

The eight players axed from the squad for the match against Italy on February 23 in Marseille were Teddy Thomas, Louis Picamoles, Arthur Iturria, Anthony Belleau, Jonathan Danty, Sekou Macalou, Remi Lamerat and Felix Lambey.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/escalati ... h-incident

[rowan]

Looks to be live. Hopefully posting it on this thread will prove prophetic...

Stopped right at the kick-off. I guess that was a rugby-tease...

Apparently the French ran riot in the U20 fixture, 72-13 or something . . .

[WaspInWales]

Dreadful from Barnes. That was never grounded.

[WaspInWales]

I'm not sure the penalty try was the right call either...but it got Barnes off the hook I suppose.

[rowan]

You guys are my eyes this evening. I have no feed. 5-7 according to the tracker.

[WaspInWales]

The tracker is correct.

[WaspInWales]

8-7

[francoisfou]

Are Italy sponsored by Emmanuel Macron as the President's name is emblazoned on their jerseys?

[Sandydragon]

I'm not sure the penalty try was the right call either...but it got Barnes off the hook I suppose.

Tight call. I think he was determined that France had collapsed the rolling maul and looked for a reason to give it.

Not a great game. Lots of huff and puff, not too much skill. The key question for the second half is on how fit the French are.

Overall, this feels like a wooden spoon play off.

[J Dory]

Didn't see the first half, second is dire so far.

[Adder]

Taken back ... Did they not pass the ball again in their 22?

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[hugh_woatmeigh]

O'Shea has the game plan but there's only so much you can do with such limited players.

Immediately after Zanni's break the french commit nobody to the ruck. First support player arrives, joins ruck. Second arrives... joins ruck. Scrum half eventually arrives and the defence has set. Cringeworthy.

[rowan]

Apparently the French ran riot in the U20 fixture, 72-13 or something . . .




78-12, in fact, and the Italians had done fairly well in their previous outings against England & Ireland. French obviously have strength at age-grade level. They posted 69 points against the Scots as well and are averaging 60 per game.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

What is it about Italy capitulating at the 60 min mark? Is it fitness? Treviso and Zebre do it often as well.

[rowan]

Shame. Nearly 2 decades in the championship and they look headed for back-to-back winless campaigns.

[Sandydragon]

O'Shea has the game plan but there's only so much you can do with such limited players.

Immediately after Zanni's break the french commit nobody to the ruck. First support player arrives, joins ruck. Second arrives... joins ruck. Scrum half eventually arrives and the defence has set. Cringeworthy.

Aye. Some individual decent performances from Italian players, but as a team too slow and too indisciplined.

France were terrible, but almost got a bonus point.

[Adder]

O'Shea has the game plan but there's only so much you can do with such limited players.

Immediately after Zanni's break the french commit nobody to the ruck. First support player arrives, joins ruck. Second arrives... joins ruck. Scrum half eventually arrives and the defence has set. Cringeworthy.

Aye. Some individual decent performances from Italian players, but as a team too slow and too indisciplined.

France were terrible, but almost got a bonus point.

Good 1/2 backs missing for both teams.

France missed so many points. It looks like a mental thing.

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[rowan]

Shame. Nearly 2 decades in the championship and they look headed for back-to-back winless campaigns.

In fact, it'll be 3 winless seasons in a row. The last time Italy won was almost 3 years ago to the day, versus Scotland on Feb 28, 2015, and they've now lost 15 straight games since then. I wonder how long its been since a team went three seasons without a win. Possibly back to the first years of French involvement in the 5 Nations?

[rowan]

Just researched this: Italy has indeed broken their own record of 10 straight losses (04-06). They managed 7 after beating Scotland on debut, and have lost 6 in a row twice. Ireland also lost 6 in a row (61-62) and no one else has gone more than 5 - not even France in the early days.