France, The Power and Money but still no Glory

[en_force_er]

French rugby is not pretty generally but it's good rugby.

They kick the ball away a heap for example, but it's usually a decent kick that's well pressured. Not my cup of tea but not necessarily ineffective footy.

 

[Braveheart81]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding on a lot of the French teams is that they are privately owned and bankrolled by billionaires/millionaires in much the same way that English Premier League teams are privately owned. I think very few of them are actually properly profitable.

The EPL has shown that having the best (or close to the best) domestic league in the world does little to help the strength of your national side.

The privately owned French teams will always butt heads with the FFR because their interests are not aligned.

 

[wamberal]

More or less what I said earlier.

 

[Braveheart81]

Sorry wamberal. I skimmed over the first page.

I guess another thing which helps out French sides and disadvantages other countries who lose players to France is the policy of not selecting players for international duties who aren't playing domestically by various countries including Australia.

The guarantee that you can sign a Wallaby or All Black and know that it is pretty certain that they won't be requested to play test rugby for the duration of their contract provides an added bonus.

 

[en_force_er]

Australia and NZ need not fear France to the same level the Springboks, PI Nations, and EU countries have to.

The reality is there are employment laws in place that make it hard to contract a large amount of Aussies (unless they have foreign passports). They don't work under Aus Super rugby's X-amount of imports system, they work under French employment laws (though there was an agreement on using more French players that appears to have been ignored).

The only team that has a lot of Aussies is Grenoble who have 3 (4 next year). The only one of Wallaby ilk in the bunch in Palmer (though I've always though of Hegarty as promising).

Who would the Wallabies want back from France? Sure, it's be nice to get Burgess and Giteau back but they wouldn't be starters in a fit team and they mightn't even make a fit 23.

 

[KevinO]

Sorry wamberal. I skimmed over the first page.

I guess another thing which helps out French sides and disadvantages other countries who lose players to France is the policy of not selecting players for international duties who aren't playing domestically by various countries including Australia.

The guarantee that you can sign a Wallaby or All Black and know that it is pretty certain that they won't be requested to play test rugby for the duration of their contract provides an added bonus.

This is starting to change, the other 6 nations teams have now accepted that they cannot compete with the money on offer in France and that players can still play for there Nation. They will allow players who are playing in another domestic comp to play, it's not to the stage where Australia and NZ are allowing it. But when England and Wales are accepting it, other won't take long to follow. It's actually a win/win for Ireland, they no longer have to contract Sexton although he can still play for Ireland and the IRB have made it compulsory for French clubs to release players for International duty during international windows.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Sexton move could be on the rocks. Will try and find a link.http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/no-deal-yet-for-sexton-claim-racing-metro-221141.html

As a wag on Munsterfans said, the IRFU should offer him a take it or leave it 250 000 yo yos!!

 

[Italophile]

Sexton move could be on the rocks. Will try and find a link.http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/no-deal-yet-for-sexton-claim-racing-metro-221141.html

As a wag on Munsterfans said, the IRFU should offer him a take it or leave it 250 000 yo yos!!

This is turning into Blue Hills. The initial report of the signing was denied by RM sources on the basis that Sexton was too expensive as per the link. Yesterday-ish, it was reported that terms had been settled including extra time for him to train with Ireland. Now it could be off again. Who knows?

The reference to Wilko and Toulon is based on Wilko saying late last year that he would decide his future at Toulon in February.

 

[KevinO]

I read in one article the other day, that he wants more money than what Jamie Heaslip is on now. Heaslip is the captain and deserves to be on the most money in the Irish side at the moment.

I hope Sexton goes to Japan for all this crap...

 

[Italophile]

I read that Sexton's demands would have put him on a par with Heaslip.

Latest report in the Sexton-RM saga is that RM could well be playing games in that French club rugby has a transfer window which opens in April. Clubs can be fined for announcing/confirming signings outside the window. So this could all drag on till April. Pity.

 

[the plastic paddy]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2013/0126/1224329299576.html Interesting article about the influence of agents on Irish rugby; sure it translates around the world.

 

[Italophile]

An Irish rugby mate of mine emailed to say Sexton-RM is a done deal. Apart from the signings window referred to above, Welshmen Jamie Roberts and Lydiate are also expected to be at RM and RM don't want Sexton's salary to impact on the other negotiations.

 

[sudrugby]

I don't mean to come across as an arrogant SH rugby fan, but am I the only one who is massively underwhelmed by the quality of the Top 14.

The big clubs seem to be able to sign whatever players they want and I will admit that team sheets look impressive, but the games i've seen have generally been played at walking pace. Also, Francois Steyn returned to SA about 10kgs overweight and looking at some of the other players around, that look to be the norm.

You can say that... it is often pretty boring...
That is why I prefer focusing on the Super Rugby.

 

[Italophile]

Top 14 has become very boshy-oriented.

 

[Dan54]

I generally enjoy the Top 14, I know it tends to have a few teams that are based around the set piece, but it's one of things enjoy in watching games from around world, though too much can turn you off a little if you not really a supporter of teams playing. I watch a hell of a lot of S15 during season and then can get a touch fluffy at time and then I want some good hard rugby again too.