Perpignan
- Thread starter Shiggins
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BabyBlueElephant
Darby Loudon (17)
A great shame, back up to 09 they enjoyed a spell of being French heavyweights. They almost had Clermonts role. You wouldn't want to go to their stadium, the fans created such an intimidating atmosphere and noone would really get much out of that place. The did average on a European level but were always in the top end of the Top 14 making the play offs on a regular basis.
The rise of Toulon and Racing Metro haven't helped, but you'd wonder if theres a common problem here as Biarritz are going down too. Another classically huge French team reaching Heineken Cup finals etc and having the likes of Yachvilli and Harinordoquy. I've not looked into it but I don't know whats causing them to crash.
Sad but with a fan base as big as them, a reality check in the lower flights and them rebuilding will do them a world of good. Toulon used to be a giant team and went down one or two flights in French rugby, all before rising to the very top again.
RugbyFuture
Lord Logo
There was a great article I read somewhere that pointed out that with the promotion relegation system and the drop of perpignan and biarritz that top 14 rugby is now in 8 of the top 10 biggest cities in france. It pointed out that as rugby became more popular this was generally what was happening as the bigger city bases meant they had more cash or atleast a smarter revenue stream. Forgotten where the article was now though.
JSRF10
Dick Tooth (41)
Don't have a sugar daddy with as deep pockets as the other teams pure and simple.
BabyBlueElephant
Darby Loudon (17)
You say that yet Castres are the current T14 champs, and have a squad full of players who would be considered budget (not skill wise) as they're a mix of cheap players bought and coached to a high standard as well as academy players.
Additionally on the note of Castres - They've just beaten Clermont at home! The Marcel Michelin has finally been stormed after 77 games unbeaten. What a sad end to Clermont. I can't see them recovering from this for a while. They're losing a coach who's done great things, aside from this year whatevers happened to them. They're going to be losing Sivi,Voosloo, Byrne, King, Bonnaire, Hines this year with Nalaga, Rougeria, Cudmore surely going in the next year or two along with James and Malzeiu. A team in dire need of a change. I believe they've acquired Guildford as a replacement for Sivi but he'll need to be monitored to be used to his potential.
A real change in the T14. Aristocrats Toulouse, Clermont, Perpignan and Biarritz are on the down spiral. Weren't all four contesting the semi final play offs in 2009?
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