Hello everybody !!! : ) here we are with the French rugby championship, the Top 14, back on track for the season 2009-2010, even before me this year as I'm just popping by to present the teams right before the season starts lol

Before we've got into the teams presentation, we have to see that with the economical crisis we've got players that used to play in the UK that came back or come for the first time and regarding the unemployed players we've double from last year. We have also some little changes this season on the semi-finals, with the two clubs who will be number one and two of the season that will automatically be qualify for the semi-finals while the clubs that will be place from 3rd to 6th will go onto play off to qualify for the last two spots on the semi finals, having the choice of where to play beetween different stadiums been propose to the higher rank teams.

That said, the opening match of the season will be Friday 14th of August with the

RCT, Toulon v Stade Français at the Stade Félix Mayol.

*So for the RCT, Tana Umaga has decided to concentrate on his role on coaching for now with Aubin Hueber and there is Philippe Saint-André (Sale Sharks) who has join them. Regarding the players, some left the club like Jerry Collins who went to the Ospreys (Wales), Orene Ai'I to Nagoya (Japan) or Martin Jagr to Bordeaux Bègles – leading some supporters to make a petition to not let him go - and on the other side there is other players that are joining in or coming back like Laurent Emmanuelli (Clermont-Auvergne), Pierre Mignoni (Clermont-Auvergne) - now I have to say that it's going to be a little bizarre, for me, to see him without his partner Thibaut Privat (Clermont-Auvergne) cause those two players have been playing together since a while in different teams - and then the "surprise" came from Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcon) and Felipe Contepomi (Leinster Rugby) joining in, well, "Bienvenus!!!" Here is the players that are in the RCT this season:
http://www.rctoulon.com/fr/rct/equipe/equipe-1/
Now they will be trying to get hook in one of the six first places and get on the quarterfinal on the European Challenge.

*For the Stade Français, David Auradou, Stéphane Glas and Augustin Pichot have hang their boots. Then some surprise came from the departure of Juan Martin Hernandez for the Sharks (SA) and Nicolas Jeanjean for the Leicester Tigers (Eng). Julien Dupuy and
Benjamin Keyser (Leicester Tigers) have join in as well as Jim Haskell (London Wasps).
Here is the players that are in the Stade Français this season:
http://www.stade.fr/club/joueurs/
They will be trying to get hook in one of the two first places and get to the quarterfinal in the H Cup.

Then Saturday 15 of August will have the following :

Biarritz Olympique v Castres Olympique

*So for the BO, David Couzinet have hang his boots, the English player Iain Balshaw (Gloucester ), Arnaud Mignardi (Clermont-Auvergne) and Charles Gimenez (Stade
Toulousain) are some of the players that have join in
http://www.bo-pb.com/index.php/equipe/effectif/199
Now they will be trying to get hook in one of the four top places and get to the quarterfinal in the H Cup.

*Some moves happened for the Castres Olympique, the coach Alain Gaillard has taken his retirement and it's the two coaches of Montauban XV, Laurent Travers and Laurent Labit who are taking the following and about players, Alexandre Albouy (Stade Français) is coming back. Now important player like Lionel Nallet (Metro Racing 92) and Kevin Senio (Clermont Auvergne) have left.
http://www.castres-olympique.com/equipe/effectifs.php
Now they will be trying to get closer to the top and get better result on the European Challenge.

CS Bourgoin v Clermont Auvergne

*So for CS Bourgoin, Morgan Parra went to Clermont-Auvergne, Yann David went to the Stade Toulousain and player like John Senio (Clermont-Auvergne) join in.
http://www.csbj-rugby.fr/joueurs.php
Now they will be trying to get closer to the top and get to the quarterfinal of the European Challenge.

*Couple of moves happened for Clermont Auvergne with the departure of players like Pierre Mignoni or Laurent Emmanuelli for the RC Toulon and the coming of Morgan Parra (Bourgoin) and Kevin Senio (Castres Olypique) – so they can keep a Senio' bros in the team – lol
http://www.asm-rugby.com/joueurs.html
They will be trying to get hook in one of the two first places and get to the quarterfinal in the H Cup.

SCA Albi v Racing Metro 92

*Albi just came back on the top 14 after spending one year on the Pro 2 - that the first club who happened to realize that performance. Here is the players that are in the SCA Albi this season:
http://www.sca-albi.fr/poste-pilier
They will be trying to secure their coming back on the top 14 and get the farthest on the European Challenge they can.

*For their return on the top 14 (since 2000) the Racing Metro have players like Sébastien Chabal (Sale Sharks) Lionnel Nallet (Castres Olympique), François Steyn (Sharks / AF) – later this automne- , Epi Taione that have join in. Now the site of the Racing is not ready yet.
They will be trying to secure their coming back on the top 14 and get the farthest on the European Challenge they can.

Montauban XV v Stade Toulousain

*So there have been some move for Montauban with the coaches, Marc Raynaud has change his player shirt for the training one to form a duo with Sébastien Calvet. Here is the players that are in Montauban XV this season:
http://www.mtg-xv.com/equipe-club-rugby-montauban.html
Now they will be trying to get closer to the top and get to the quarterfinal of the European Challenge.

* As usual, the Stade Toulousain doesn't starts home and it will be the 11th time this seasons lol. So for the Stade Toulousain, Fabien Pelous hang his boots, some players left like Gaffie Du Toit (SWD Eagles), Salvatore Perugini (Avirons Bayonnais) and four new players join in Yann David (CS Bourgoin), Census Johnstone (Saracens, Eng), Yoann Maestri (RC Toulon) and Louis Picamoles (Montpellier HRC) " Bienvenus !!!" : )
http://www.stadetoulousain.fr/Effectif-16.html
Now, they will be trying to get hook in one of the two first places and get to the quarterfinal in the H Cup.

USA Perpignan v Aviron Bayonnais

*Not to much change for Perpignan, Sébastien Bozzi hang his boots, Dan Carter went back to New-Zealand, Chris Cusiter went to the Glasgow Warriors. Now how they have been very busy with the Brennus shield so their site is not yet ready. lol
Now, they will be trying to get hook in one of the two first places and get to the quarterfinal in the H Cup.

*For l'Aviron Bayonnais, Xavier Garbajosa hang his boots, Daniel Larrechea went to Bera Bera Rugby (SP) and players like Ross Filipo (Crusaders / NZ), Salvatore Perugini ( Stade Toulousain), Ace Tiatia (Agen) have join in.
http://www.abrugby.fr/equipe-pro/effectif.aspx
Now they will be trying to get hook in one of the four first places and get on the quarterfinal on the European Challenge.

CA Brive v Montpellier HRC

*For Brive there is some change over the players, Johan Van Zyl (SA) have hang his boots and some players left and some came in like Riki Flutey (London Wasps), Jaimie Noon (Newcastle Falcons, Eng), Viliame Waqaseduadua (Waikato Chiefs, NZ)
http://www.cabrive-rugby.com/home.php?v_lang=FR&page=2
Now they will be trying to get hook in one of the four top places and get to the quarterfinal in the H Cup.

*For Montpellier there is some change with players like Louis Picamoles who went to the Stade Toulousain or Clément Baïocco for the Racing-Metro and player like Benjamin Thiery (Biarritz), Juan Figallo (Salta, Arg)
http://www.montpellier-rugby.com/main/index/page/L-effectif-2009-2010-23...
Now they will be trying to get closer to the top and get to the quarterfinal of the European Challenge.

So this season seems open to start and we'll see how will work this new formula.
Alllll right !!! En avant mes Rouge et Noir à mouaaaa !!! and before it's starts I'm going back to finish my vacations, see you lol : )

The second day on the French championship, the Top 14, was under better temperature, still hot but around 10°c less with a bit of air , ouf !!! Then the international players made their return in their respective clubs and Bourgoin had two licenses allowed for "risk on the game" then the other players' licenses are still hold on to for…now ???

So the second day open Friday evening with a first for the French Championship, a match played in San Sebastian (Spain). Their neighbor the Avirons Bayonnais was receiving there the Stade Français. The ambiance seems very nice and - as I know the place - I have to say that if I would have been around I would have join in!!! So, the opening match and the weekend matches were more under the sign of a offensive rugby, and that's what has pay this weekend. So it's with a much more offensive match that the Avirons Bayonnais took over the Stade Français 38 to 24 (19-18 Ht).

Avirons Bayonnais 38 v 24 Stade Français( 19-18 ht)

For the Avirons Bayonnais
Tries 4 : J. Peyras-Loustalet, B. Fall (2), P. Elhorga
Cons 3 :B. Arrayet (2), C. Garcia
Pens 4 :B. Arrayet

For the Stade Français
Tries 2: J. Haskell, G. Messina
Cons 1 : J. Dupuy
Pens 3 :L. Beauxis
Drop :L. Beauxis

*Saturday, the surprise came from the first lost of the French Champion l'USAP Perpignan that was making his first match outside, against Montpellier, MHRC, 18 v 12 (12 - 06 Ht). Than the BO, Biarritz logically won over the SC Albi 39 v 06 (18-06 ht).

*Montpellier MHRC 18 v 12 L'USAP, Perpignan (12 - 06 Ht)

For Montpellier
Pens 5 : B. Paillaugue
Drop : B. Paillaugue

For Perpignan
Pens 4 : D. Mélé (2), N. Laharrague (2)

*Bo, Biarritz 39 v 06 SC Albi ( 18-06 ht)

For Biarritz
Tries 4 : I.Balshaw (2), P.Couet-Lannes (2)
Cons : J. Peyrelongue (2), V. Courrent (2)
Pens 2 : J. Peyrelongue

For Albi
Pens 2: B. Stewart

*For their return at home for the new season Clermont-Auvergne was receiving Montauban XV. Montauban had left some "bad memory" cause last time they came to Clermont-Auvergne the did create a surprise by winning out there, so they had at heart to change that, winning over Montauban 37 to 16, ( 23-06 ht) at home.

ASM Clermont-Auvergne 37 v 16 Montauban XV (23-06 ht)

For Clermont
Tries 4 : A. Floch (2), A. Rougerie, B. Russell
Cons 4: B. James
Pens 2 : B. James
Drop : M. Parra

For Montauban
Try : J. Laharrague
Con : J. Audy
Pens 3: J. Audy

*One of the expected encounters was the RCT Toulon against the Racing Métro 92 as those two teams used to play against each other two seasons ago, in Pro 2. They have also one common thing is that they have both recruited 14 to up to 17 players for their new season this year. Now Toulon wanted to be more offensive and produce more game than last weekend match against the Stade Français and that what they did with the return of their captain Joe Van Niekerk taking a first win over the Racing 27 to 13 (18-06 Ht)

RCT, Toulon 27 v 13 Racing Metro 92 (18-06 ht)

For Toulon
Tries 2 : J. Robinson,J. Van Niekerk
Con 1 : J. Wilkinson
Pens 5 : J. Wilkinson (4), S. Fauqué

For the Racing
Try : A. Masi
Con : J. Wisniewski
Pens 2 : J. Wisniewski

*Stade Toulousain 38 v 0 CA Brive (19-0 Ht)

The match of the Stade Toulousain started with a tribute to Jean Lacroix, who had been taking care of the club for a long time and who, sadly, left us this summer, our thoughts went to him and his family.
Then the matched started and, as I was talking about that they didn't finish properly last week, well, they definitely did work on this, this weekend !!! lol

So rapidly the Stade Toulousain put the pressure on Brive with Jean-Baptiste Elissalde who opened the score with a drop goal couple of minutes in the game, soon followed by a nice move from Finau Maka to Yann David for a try by Cédric Heymans, in four minutes in the match the Stade Toulousain took the lead with 10 points. Then Brive started to get inside the match tempting couple of thing but the Stade Toulousain always stopped them, and once they had the ball in hands it was hard for Brive to get it back. Than there was couple of mistakes from both side but it was a day off for Luciano Orquera who mess all his attempts. Than Finau Maka started a nice move to Thierry Dusautoir to Jean-Baptiste Elissalde who made a drop goal. Then, Gehrard Vosloo for Brive got a yellow card right before the halftime with 19 to 0 for Toulouse.

On the second half , Brive try to get a grip on the match with some nice actions from Jamie Noon and Alix Popham but the Stade Toulousain didn't let them do so as they started to accelerate the game, taking even more possession of the field and the ball, putting Brive under even more pressure till the end with a very nice last move from Florian Fritz - who had replace Jean-Baptiste Elissalde as flyhalf- kicked the ball couple of meters before the line to the opposite side for the young Rémi Lemarat who made his first "official try" at home for this season.

Now for the Stade Toulousain, there is things to be worked as usual but the ship is going the right way and pour moi, je trouve qu'ils ont rendu un bel hommage à Jean Lacroix sur ce match : )

Stade Toulousain 38 v 0 CA Brive (19-0 Ht)

For Toulouse
Tries 4 :C. Heymans, M. Médard, V. Clerc, R. Lamerat
Cons 3: J. Elissalde (2), F. Fritz
Pens 2 :J. Elissalde
Drop 2 :J. Elissalde

*Than, the last match showed that the Castres Olympique was following his new path with a win at home – that's what was the harder for that team to do last season- against the CSBJ Bourgoin 29 to 09, (16 - 03 Ht).

Castres Olympique 29 v 09 CSBJ Bourgoin (16 - 03 Ht)

For Castres
Tries 2: J. Tekori,R. Capo Ortega
Cons : C. McIntyre
Pens 5 :C. McIntyre

For Bourgoin
Pens 3 : S. Laloo (2), B. Boyet.

1 Stade Toulousain 9 pts
2 Clermont Auvergne 9 pts
3 Castres Olympique 8 pts
4 RCT, Toulon 6 pts
5 BO,Biarritz Olympique 5 pts
6 USAP, Perpignan 5 pts
7 CA Brive-Corrèze 5 pts
8 Aviron Bayonnais 4 pts
9 Racing Metro 92 4 pts
10 Montpellier, MHRC 4 pts
11 Stade Français 2 pts
12 Montauban XV 1 pts
13 SCA Albi 1 pts
14 CS Bourgoin 0 pts

So for this 4 th day into the championship and the second part of the triptic, The Wednesday, the match Albi v Castres, like said previously, was canceled cause of the flu h1n1. Bourgoin, after a final sprint to get everything all together got finally their green light from the DNACG and they did decide to "fêter ça" on the field with a win at home over the Racing Métro 17 to 13 . Than Montauban came back into the championship after a match off - because of the flu - to win in Paris 40 to 35. Toulon confirmed that they knew how to take over Clermont at home 26 to 21, Perpignan won over Brive 21 to 9, Montpellier won over Biarritz 22 to 18 and the Stade Toulousain managed a win over the Avirons Bayonnais 21 to17 and regarding that match, the last try was a bit of a killer cause S. Sowerby for the Stade Toulousain did touch the line but I will oppose un tirage de maillot sur 2 ou 3m avant une conclusion certaine : ) Now, L'Avirons played a nice match taking their chance anytime but Toulouse, though they were missing some speed, did hold on.

* CSBJ, Bourgoin 17 - 13 Racing Metro 92 (7- 3 ht)

For Bourgoin
Try : A. VuliVuli
Con : B. Boyet
Pen.Try : K.Wihongi
Pen : B. Boyet

For Racing Metro
Try : S. Lorée
Con : F. Fortassin
Pens 2 : F. Fortassin

* Stade Français 35 - 40 Montauban XV (18-17 ht)

For Stade Français
Tries 2 : L.Beauxis, O. Phillips
Cons: N. Oelschig
Pens 6 : L. Beauxis(1), N. Oelschig
Drop : L. Beauxis

For Montauban
Tries 3 : B.Balan, J.Cassin, R.Lespinas
Cons 2 : C. Rosalen
Pens 7 : C. Rosalen

* RCT, Toulon 26 - 21 Clermont Auvergne
For Toulon
Tries 2 : S.Sinoti, C.Marienval
Con : J. Wilkinson
Pens 4 : J. Wilkinson (1), S. Fauqué (3)

For Clermont Auvergne
Pens 6 : A. Floch (1), S. Bai (5)
Drop : A. Floch

* Montpellier, MHRC 22 - 18 BO, Biarritz Olympique (12-3 ht)

For Biarritz
Tries 2: B.August, N.Brusque
Con 1 : V. Courrent
Pens 2 : V. Courrent

For Montpellier
Try : J. Tomas
Con : B. Paillaugue
Pens 4 : B. Paillaugue
Drop : O. Sarraméa

* Stade Toulousain 21 - 17 Aviron Bayonnais (6-14)

For Toulouse
Tries 2 : W. Servat, S. Sowerby
Con 1 : F. Michalak
Pens 3 : J. Elissalde (2),F. Michalak,

For Bayonne
Tries 2 : F.Bolavucu, L.Mazars
Cons 2 : C. Garcia
Pen : P. Bernard

* USAP, Perpignan 21 - 9 CA Brive-Corrèze (18-9 ht)

For Perpignan
Tries 2 : D. Marty, C.Manas
Con 1 : N. Laharrague
Pens 3 : N. Laharrague

For Brive
Pens 3: L. Orquera (2), A. Goode

and before I go je voulais faire un clin d'œil accompagné d'un sourire à ... : )

Oh! Chris Masoe's still around?

Good to see Filipo on the board.

So for this 6 th day into the championship, the temperature was high as most of the matches were played for the first time as normally schedule, 2.30 PM – we also mess the Tri Nation cause they had decide to schedule it on air in France at…1.45 PM…euh ? – Now this weekend, every team that was hosting matches did have a won but things seems more complicated for the leaders of the championship.

Everything started Friday evening, under some "Troll's attack", as Bourgoin were hosting their first "relocated match" at the 2 Alpes Stadium in Grenoble. So after their lost against Bayonne last week, they did straight up some things and surprise the champion Perpignan, taking them over 17 to 6.
Now I started by saying that the match happened under some Troll's attack, well actually, we couldn't see them, cause they made sure to turn off the light before to do anything… but this stadium seemed perfectly made for it's mountains surrounding area : it has a nice troll running away horn!! lolll : ) Now, it's a nice win for Bourgoin.

* CSBJ, Bourgoin 17-6 USAP, Perpignan(06-03 ht)

For Bourgoin
Try : J. Senio
Pens 4: B. Boyet

For Perpignan
Pen : J. Porical
Drop : G. Hume

Than all the other matches happened on Saturday afternoon:

the surprised came from the Stade Français during the week. Tuesday, they had a change over the coaches with the exit of Ewen MC Kenzie and Chritophe Dominici been replace by an another pair, the previous Biarritz's coach Jacques Delmas and one of Brive's previous coach Didier Faugeron. Apparently, Ewen Mc Kenzie should hit back home and Christophe Dominici is going to take care of some things regarding the club. So it's with their new coaches "on the bench" that the Stade Français did end the unbeaten record of Castres.

* Stade Français 44 - 18 Castres Olympique (16-15 ht)

For the Stade Français
Tries 4 : S. Marconnet, M.Bergamasco, J.Haskell, J.Arias
Cons 3 : N.Oelschig
Pnes 6 : N.Oelschig

For Castres
Pens 5 :C. McIntyre
Drop : C.McIntyre

Than Montpellier took over Toulon in a last minutes try given them the win with one point21 to 20

* Montpellier, MHRC 21 - 20 RCT, Toulon (06-13 ht)

For Montpellier
Tries 2: S. Kuzbik, B.Thiery
Con : A.Tomas
Pens 2: B.Paillaugue
Drop : F.Trinh-Duc

For Toulon
Tries 2: R.Skeate, J.Fernandez Lobbe
Cons 2: J.Wilkinson
Pens 2: J.Wilkinson

Than Montauban had it's last hold licenses free before the weekend and they went for a three on a raw won, wining over Brive 23 to 20.

* Montauban XV 23 - 20 CA Brive (15-13 ht)

For Montauban
Try: J.Dalla Riva
Pens 5 : C.Rosalen
Drop : C.Rosalen

For Brive
Tries 3: L. Orquera, Waqaceduadua (2)
Con : V.Spedding
Pen : S. Orquera

* Stade Toulousain 19 - 13 SCA Albi (06-10 ht)

The Stade Toulousain under an Albi's spell.

In the first half of the mach, the Stade Toulousain were under Albi's tactic that was putting some good pressure on them. Now, the Stade Toulousain did created some good occasions but didn't finish properly, making mistakes as Albi were trying to put their games little by little, holding, in the same time, on some good defense, keeping the Stade Toulousain to find it's rhythm. They left for the half time 10 to 06 for Albi.
Now in the second half the Stade Toulousain did find some freshness and more speed keeping Albi from the ball. They did across the line at different times but nobody could see the ball under the pack. Albi were more under pressure than on the first half and it's logically that the Stade Toulousain won 19 to 13.

Now Albi played one less match and it is the team with the most furnish injuries bus of the championship - I think. For the Stade Toulousain Yannick Jauzion played full back for the first time since a looooong time but Albi did ask some good question .

Now, for me that match comes in the good time for the Stade Toulousain in a sense that the H Cup is coming closer and with this match as with those coming, they are going to help to see where they have to put on some more work before it starts.

Stade Toulousain 19 - 13 SCA Albi (06-10 ht)

For Toulouse
Try : J.B Elissalde
Con : F. Michalak
Pens 4: J.B Elissalde (2),F. Michalak (2)

For Albi :
Try : L.Borges
Con : B.Stewart
Pens 2: B.Stewart

For the Stade Toulousain:
1 JP. Poux, 2 A.Vernet Basualdo, 3 C.Johnston, 4 J.Le Devede, 5 Y.Maestri, 6 J.Bouilhou, 7 F.Maka, 8 S.Sowerby, 9 J.B Elissalde, 10 F.Fritz, 11 M.Ahotaeiloa, 12 R.Lamerat, 13 Y.David, 14 B.Swanepoel, 15 Y.Jauzion.
Subs: 16 F.Michalak, 17 D. Human, 18 V. Lacombe, 19 Y.Montes, 20 P.Albacete, 21 Y.Nyanga, 22 V.Clerc.

For SCA, Albi:
1 C.Lafoy, 2 P.Saby, 3 R.Uipa, 4 Y.Corréa, 5 T.Vervoort, 6 D.Farani, 7 Y.Misse, 8 F.Fourcade, 9 K.Boulogne, 10 B.Stewart, 11 L.Borges, 12 M.Denetre, 13 B.Hecker, 14 P.Lakafia, 15 B.Lapeyre
Subs: 16 G.Palis, 17 B.Sore, 19 A.Poujol, 20 F.Manca, 21 C.Ponnau, 22 P.Correia, 23 A.Sua

Than one of the big event this weekend was the derby between Biarritz and Bayonne that was happening for the first time in Anoeta, Spain. So Biarritz v Bayonne or Bayonne v Biarritz is how to say that, well… a special derby ?! lol some how, usually characterize.
So, it was an intense and physical match from both side, but the Avirons fall to concretize the moments they did create and Biarritz did hold on tight even after receiving a well rewarded red card for a high tackle thought we do know which dark magic ingredients like eyes some wants to use in their potions.

* Biarritz Olympique 12 - 6 Aviron Bayonnais (06-06 ht)

For Biarritz
Pens 4 : V. Courrent

For Bayonne
Pens 2 : B.Arrayet

Than Clermont had win over the Racing at home

* Clermont Auvergne 30 - 22 Racing Metro 92 ( 12-09 ht)

For Clermont
Tries 2: W.Fofana, T.Domingo
Con: B.James
Pens 6: B.James

For the Racing
Try: J.Saubade
Con : A.Mehrtens
Pens 2: A.Mehrtens
Drops 3: A.Mehrtens, F.Fortassin (2)

and I will bring back the board when the matches that are overdue will be played. ; )

* RCT,Toulon v Stade Toulousain 18 to 13 (3-3 ht)

You know that I'm for the Stade Toulousain and you know that I do like very much the RCT. In the recent history they been meeting for their respective matches and most of the time I'm pretty happy that they meet, etc… But sometimes you know how it is, you have the feeling like going to the stadium "back way" or even you feel like watching the match between the fingers of your hand that is place : right through your face…you see what I'm saying, no ? well, any how, that's how I felt to watch that match and that, for different reasons. One is recent and obvious, Jonny Wilkinson, who really wanted to "get us" and I'm saying that in the good sense of that expression.
Everybody all ready knows that on any mistake your team gets a big chance to be punish by his boots. But beside that fact, I knew that he would want to be as his best as all the team too and before all, I knew that he really, really would want to win that particular encounter -don't get me wrong, as all of his team too ! – But well, he is the kind of player who can make that happens and that, in many different style of game. And well, that's what he did with an attempt of something like what 4 or 5 drop goals that he used how they couldn't pass the Stade Toulousain last wall and it worked not bad at all. Now on the Stade Toulousain side they made too many mistakes and they didn't find a way to come across the RCT 'defense. It was a tight encounter that deliver it's result couple of minutes after the time was over.

Now, Fréderic Michalak had some stuff going on with the public of the RCT during the match as they though that he was making some scenery after a tackle. So he got booo all the time of the match after that but he dedicate his try to them after he intercepted the ball not far from the Stade Toulousain' line to go across the field for a try.

For Toulon
3 Pens : J. Wilkinson
3 Drops: J. Wilkinson

For Toulouse
1 Try: F. Michalak
1 Con: J. Elissalde
1 Pen: J. Elissalde
1 Drop: F. Michalak

For Toulon:
1 L.Emmanuelli, 2 S.Bruno, 3 D.Kubriashvili , 4 J.Suta, 5 R. Carson, 6 J.Van Niekerk,7. J.El Abd, 8 J.M.Fernandez-Llobe, 9 P.Mignoni, 10 J.Wilkinson, 11 S.Sinoti, 12 J.Robinson, 13 M.Kefu, 14 C.Marienval,15 R. Lamont-Rory
Subs: 16 S.Taumopeau, 17 J.Djoudi,18 T.Lea'aetoa

For Toulouse :
1 D.Human, 2 W.Servat, 3 B.Lecouls, 4 P.Albacete, 5 R.Millo- Chluski, 6 Y.Nyanga, 7 T.Dusautoir, 8 L.Picamoles, 9 J.B Elissalde, 10 F.Michalak, 11 V.Clerc, 12 F.Fritz, 13 Y. Jauzion, 14 C.Heymans, 15 M.Médard
Subs: 16 C. Johnston, 17 J.B Poux, 18 F. Maka, 19 S.Sowerby , 20 Y.David, 21 Y.Donguy

and here are the other results:

* Castres Olympique 9-6 Racing-Métro 92 (3-0 ht)

For Castres
3 Pens: R. Teulet

For the Racing
2 Pens: A. Mehrtens

* Perpignan 28-9 Montauban (16-6 ht)

For Perpignan
3 Tries:G. Britz, N. Durand,F. Sid.
2 Cons: N. Laharrague
4 Pens: N. Laharrague

For Montauban
3 Pens: J. Audy (2), R. Lespinas

* Bayonne 26-3 Montpellier (13-3 ht)

For Bayonne
2 Tries: B. Fall, A. Tiatia,
2 Cons: B. Arrayet, C. Garcia
4 Pens: B. Arrayet (3), C. Garcia

For Montpellier
1 Pen: F. Trinh-Duc

As I was talking earlier about "interaction with the public", there was some mess at the exit of the referee for the match Brive v Biarritz, at Brive, with two guys that came to him as the match did just finish wanting to punch him for his referring during the match. So there is some thing that are going to happen to the Club, probably financial sanction ? and the exit of the two guys from the stadium. Now I really hope that things are going to be taken proportionally and that they are not going to put grills all around the stadium because of two people regarding of the thousands that didn't do anything, plus unfortunately we can see from the football (soccer) that it didn't work.

Now on the other hand, they have decided to legalize in France bet on matches, so we might have some chance to see some "bizarre things" happen… But keeping our mind on that particular referring angle come one questions that is on a professional environment with, coming on the top of it, professional gabling: is it still serious and safe to let referees not be professional?

So the last match that was overdue because of the flu SCA Albi v Castres Olympique was played Tuesday and it's Castres that went to win at Albi.

SCA Albi 21 - 25 Castres Olympique (12- 13 ht)

For Albi
5 Pens: F. Manca (4), B. Lapeyre
2 Drops: K. Boulogne, F. Manca

For Castres
3 Tries: C. McIntyre, M. Andreu, Y. Audrin
2 Cons: R. Teulet
2 Pens: R. Teulet, C. McIntyre

Then, the 9 th day of the championship opened Friday evening with the match Stade Français v Brive under the eyes of the English and French team' managers.
Nicolas Jeanjean, after spending some time at the Leicester Tiger, was making his start for Brive and Sergio Parisse was making his return for Paris. Now the Stade Français showed that their were getting their game back before getting into the H Cup wining over Brive 44 to 6.

* Stade Français 44 - 16 CAB, Brive (16-6 ht)

For Stade Français
5 Tries: A. Burban, G. Messina, M. Gasnier (2),J. Haskell,
5 Cons: N. Oelschig (2),J. Dupuy (3)
3 Pens: L. Beauxis , N. Oelschig (2)

For Brive:
1 Try: A. Claassen
Con: L. Orquera
2 Pens: A. Goode
1 Drop: A. Goode

Than all the other matches happened on Saturday, with the Castres Olympique coming back into the regular calendar in the Top 14 right before the break for the H Cup against the RCT Toulon and it's with another win in the week for them 21 to 19.

* CO, Castres Olympique 21 - 19 RCT, Toulon (13-12 ht)

For Castres
5 Pens: R. Teulet
2 Drops: C. McIntyre

For Toulon
1 Try: M. Kefu
Con: J. Wilkinson
3 Pens: J. Wilkinson
1 Drop: J. Wilkinson

Now, je tire mon chapeau à Castres, cause since the beginning of September they have been playing 6 matches in 24 days and they did hold onto it bringing some good results to see them ending up at the 2nd place in the Top 14 before the break.

Then for his first match as titular François Steyn help the Racing Metro to win over Montauban 17 to 12

* Racing Metro 92, 17 - 12 Montauban XV (11-3 ht)

For the Racing
1 Try: J. Fillol
3 Pens: A. Mehrtens
1 Drop: F. Steyn

For Montauban
4 Pens: J. Audy

After their lost against the champion Perpignan, last week, Clermont Auvergne did straighten up their game at home wining against the Avirons Bayonnais 38 to13.

* Clermont Auvergne 38 - 13 Aviron Bayonnais (23-10 ht)

For Clermont
4 Tries: N. Nalaga (2), L. Jacquet, B. Russell
3 Cons: B.James
4 Pens: B. James (3),B. Baby

For Bayonne
1 Try: S. Gerber
Con: P. Bernard
2 Pens: P. Bernard

Than Montpellier MHRC was receiving the Stade Toulousain.

Before the match started we had a silent minute for the people who disappear in the tsunami.
Then the match started.
Rapidly the Stade Toulousain started to take possession of the field and Louis Picamoles went through Montpellier 's defense to get the ball to Vincent Clerc who found Florian Fritz for a try. Then Montpellier tried to take the ball but the Stade Toulousain put on some more pressure with some nice moves to break Montpellier' defense and end up with 2 more very nice tries. Montpellier decided to hold onto it and Olivier Sarraméa "stole" the ball to go for a run across the entire field to mark the first try for Montpellier to bring them back on the match. They left for the half time 7 to 24 for the Stade Toulousain.
In the second half Montpellier tried more things and in one point François Trinh-Duc found a break to go for the second try for Montpellier but the Stade Toulousain scrum and line out give them more hard time keeping them under pressure.The Stade Toulousain won 30 to 12, a good win for them to put under their belt before the start of the H Cup next weekend.

* Montpellier MHRC 12 - 30 Stade Toulousain ( 7- 24 ht)

For Montpellier
2 Tries: O. Sarraméa, F. Trinh-Duc
1 Con: B. Paillaugue

For Toulouse
3 Tries: F. Fritz, V. Clerc, L. Picamoles,
3 Cons: J. Elissalde
2 Pens: J. Elissalde
1 Drop: J. Elissalde

For Montpellier
1 P. Toleafoa, 2 F.Rofes, 3 D.Thiart, 4 M.De Marco, 5 D.Hancke, 6 M. Giraud, 7 V.Bost, 8 S.Matadigo, 9 J. Tomas, 10 B.Paillaugue, 11 S.Kuzbik, 12 F.Trinh Duc, 13 T.Doumayrou, 14 T.Brana, 15 O. Sarraméa
Subs: 16 P.Van Niekerk, 17 J.Caudullo, 18 M.Macurdy, 19 M.Gorgodze, 20 S.Mirande, 21 B.Thiery, 22 F.Nicot.

For Toulouse
1 J.B Poux, 2 V.Lacombe, 3 C.Johnston, 4 G.Lamboley, 5 R.Millo-Chluski, 6 Y.Nyanga, 7 L.Picamoles, 8 J.Bouilhou, 9 B.Kelleher, 10 J.B Elissalde, 11 Y.Donguy,12 Y.Jauzion, 13
F.Fritz, 14 V.Clerc, 15 M.Médard
Subs: 16 D.Human, 17 W.Servat, 18 B.Lecouls, 19 P.Albacete, 20 T.Dusautoir, 21 S.Sowerby, 22 Y.David, 23 R.Lamerat.

Then the BO Biarritz confirmed that they were getting ready for the H Cup not just with their new nice European shirt, but by putting down little by little their game in place - a particular mention to a nice "ingredient" who was….everywhere lol : ) - to nicely surprise and take over the champion Perpignan 27 to 12

* BO, Biarritz Olympique 27 - 12 USAP, Perpignan (10-12 ht)

For Biarritz
2 Tries: T. Ngwenya, M. Bosch
1 Con: J. Peyrelongue
4 Pens: J. Peyrelongue (2),D. Yachvili (2)
1 Drop: M. Bosch

For Perpignan
3 Pens: J. Porical
1 Drop: S. Meyer

Than the last match was Bourgoin against Albi, Albi that was playing it's 3rd match in a week (as Castras) and it's Bourgoin that won at home 26 to 16

* CSBJ, Bourgoin 26 - 16 SCA Albi (12-10 ht)

For Bourgoin
3 Tries: R. Coetzee, B. Boyet, C. Basson
1 con: B. Boyet
3 Pens: B. Boyet

For Albi
1 Try: P. Lakafia
Con: F. Manca
3 Pens: F. Manca (2), K. Boulogne

So here we are at the first closing of the Top 14 for the H Cup and since all the matches have been played here is the board as it will stay for couple of weeks

1 Clermont Auvergne 30pts
2 Castres Olympique 29
3 Biarritz Olympique 28
4 USAP, Perpignan 27
5 Stade Toulousain 26
6 Stade Français 24
7 RCT Toulon 21
8 CSBJ Bourgoin 20
9 Racing Metro 92 19
10 CAB Brive 18
11 Montauban XV 17
12 Aviron Bayonnais 16
13 Montpellier MHRC 13
14 SCA Albi 8

So the 11 th day into the Top 14 started on the Halloween eve the Friday evening, with the champion against the leader of the Top 14, Perpignan against Castres and Perpignan scare themselves before to come back ahead of the end of the match to grab a win and take the lead of the championship against a good Castres side.
Than Saturday the Racing Métro had a good win over Toulouse at Colombes in an interesting match and in the same time Toulon was taking over Bayonne at home, Montpellier was doing the same against Albi and two others matches end up with draws, Clermont Auvergne against the Stade Français and Bourgoin against Brive, than, how it was the 31 of October evening, we had a Montauban against Biarritz in an Halloween ambiance with Montauban pulling out "a spook" on Biarritz at Sapiac.

* USAP Perpignan 17 - 15 CO, Castres Olympique

For Perpignan
1 Try: G. Guirado
1 Pen try
Con: J. Porical
1 Pen:J. Porical

For Castres
5 Pens : R. Teulet

* Racing Métro 92, 27-20 Stade Toulousain

euh….c'est une histoire… de… 31 ?! lol : )

Well, that was a long time ago that those two teams didn't meet, around the very late 80's and for the first encounter since a while the two teams did play with good rhythm and in the first half with very nice moves and nice intentions but the Stade Toulousain made to many mistakes that were punish by Jonathan Wisniewski and they did mess some opportunities to score. They did keep the tiny of the match but the Racing were holding on good their line and everybody went into the half time with 9 to 3 for the Racing Métro.
Then rapidly after coming back on the field the Stade Toulousain did bring on more pressure on the Racing but some good moves didn't find their points and the Racing was holding on good, starting to get more into their game and that where I send everybody to read my post on high tackles ! To come back on the match, what happen following was pretty clear :" bad karma". "Bad karma" at first following the exit of Maxime Médard punished by two Racing Métro's tries and bad karma on the Racing after the exit of Mani Vakaola punished by two Stade Toulousain's tries. Than when everybody was back on the field the Stade Toulousain try to nail the match by putting on more pressure but it was too late, they did never catch the little gap that the Racing took earlier on the match. It was a good win for the Racing Métro.

* Racing Métro 92, 27-20 Stade Toulousain

For the Racing Métro
2 Tries: J. Wisniewski, J. Leo'o
1 Con: J. Wisniewski
5 Pens: J. Wisniewski

For the Stade Toulousain
2 Tries: W. Servat, G. Lamboley
2 Cons: F. Michalak
2 Pens: F. Michalak, J. Elissalde

For the Racing Metro 92
1 C. Smith,2 B. Noirot, 3 C. Baïocco, 4 J. Qovu, 5 Capt: L. Nallet, 6 J. Leo'o, 7 S. Chabal, 8 N. Lane, 9 M. Lorée, 10 J. Wisniewski,11 M. Vakaola, 12 F. Steyn, 13 H. Chavancy, 14 S. Bobo, 15 D. Scarbrough
Subs: O. Diomande, J. Orlandi, S. Raiwalui, A. Clarke,N. Berry, E. Taione, F. Fortassin, M. Mérabet

For the Stade Toulousain:
1 D. Human, 2 V. Lacombe, 3 C. Johnston, 4 R.Millo- Chluski, 5 G. Lamboley, 6 J. Bouilhou, 7 S. Sowerby, 8 L. Picamoles, 9 Capt: J. Elissalde, 10 F. Michalak, 11 C. Heymans, 12 Y. Jauzion, 13 Y. David, 14 V. Clerc, 15 M. Médard
Subs: B. Lecouls, W. Servat,J. Poux, P. Albacete, F. Maka, B. Kelleher, F. Fritz, Y. Donguy

* Aviron Bayonnais 8 - 14 RCT, Toulon

For Bayonne
1 Try: V. Inigo
1 Pen: M. Edmonds

For Toulon
1 Try: C. Loamanu
3 Pens: S. Fauqué

* SCA, Albi 15 - 18 MHRC, Montpellier

For Albi
2 Pens: F. Manca, K. Boulogne
3 Drops: F. Manca (2), K. Boulogne

For Montpellier
2 Tries: T. Brana
1 Con: F. Todeschini
2 Pens:F. Todeschini

* ASM, Clermont Auvergne 17 - 17 Stade Français

For Clermont
1 Try: J. Bonnaire
Con: B. James
4 Pens: B. James

For the Stade Français
1 Try: O. Phillips
Con: N. Oelschig
4 Pnes: N. Oelschig

* CSBJ, Bourgoin 14 - 14 CA, Brive

For Bourgoin:
1 Try: J. Coux
3 Pens: A. Di Bernardo

For Brive
1 Try: F. Estebanez
2 Pens: F. Estebanez, A. Palisson
Drop: F. Estebanez

* Montauban XV, 14 - 5 BO, Biarritz

For Montauban
1 Try: M. Lozupone
2 Pens: C. Rosalen
Drop : C. Rosalen

For Biarritz
1 Try: T. Ngwenya

So here is the board at the end of this 11 th day:

1 Perpignan 35
2 Castres 34
3 Clermont 33
4 Toulouse 31
5 Toulon 30
6 Biarritz 28
7 Racing Metro 27
8 Stade Français 27
9 Montauban 25
10 Bourgoin 22
11 Montpellier 21
12 Brive 20
13 Bayonne 17
14 Albi 9

Now the 12 th days will happen on Thursday.

Excellent post, i have bookmarked it for future referrence

As we are also into international schedule I did make a little resume about what happen in this 13th day into the French championship as the championship started back after la trêve, this weekend. Now some clubs have some disadvantage compare to others but in the same time that is the moment where young players can join what we call, l'équipe A, the A teams.
So the Top 14 started back in a surprising Friday night with a nice Albi taking over Perpignan and getting a second win in the championship against the champion. Then there was the Parisian Derby between the Racing Métro against the Stade Français that didn't happened since the 50's and it's the Racing Métro who took over that first one.
The trêve seems to have been good for Bayonne who won against Montauban, then there was the return of Felipe Contepomi and Sonny Williams for Toulon's win over Brive. Monpellier went to take over Bourgoin at Pierre Rajon's stadium, et nous, on a raté la marche lol and Castres had a good win against the Stade Toulousain with a Chris Masoe all over the place and Biarritz got some colors back in a nice last minute try against Clermont.

SCA, Albi 24 - 23 USAP, Perpignan
Racing Métro 92, 20 - 18 Stade Français
Aviron Bayonnais 38 - 13 Montauban XV
RCT, Toulon 19 - 10 CAB, Brive
CSBJ, Bourgoin 20 - 23 Montpellier, MHRC
Castres Olympique 30 - 10 Stade Toulousain
ASM, Clermont 13 - 16 BO, Biarritz Olympique

and here is the board on this 13 th day into the Top 14

1 Perpignan 41
2 Castres 41
3 Clermont 36
4 Toulouse 36
5 Toulon 34
6 Biarritz 32
7 Stade Français 32
8 Racing Metro 31
9 Montpellier 29
10 Montauban 25
11 Brive 24
12 Bayonne 23
13 Bourgoin 23
14 Albi 14

So one of the overdue matches did happen this week and it's the Racing Métro that went to grab a win at Biarritz, 23 to 20 on Wednesday.

* BO, Biarritz 20 - 23 Racing Métro

For Biarritz
2 Tries: T. Ngwenya, D. Yachvili
2 Cons: D. Yachvili
2 Pens: D. Yachvili

For Racing
1 Try: S. Bobo
1 Pen. Try
2 Cons: J. Wisniewski
2 Pens: J. Wisniewski
1 Drop: J. Wisniewski

Now during the rest of the week and because of the flew, two teams, Albi and Brive were put in quarantine. There was then some doubt that the matches with those two teams will be play over the weekend and a late decision was taken that they will be play on Sunday.
So it's with some change on the calendar that our epopee into the 15 th day of the championship started Friday evening with the match Montauban v Clermont and Montauban had a good won at home against Clermont

* Montauban XV, 20 - 15 ASM Clermont Auvergne

For Montauban
2 Tries: V. Delasau, J. Viard
2 Cons: L. Olivier
2 Pens: L. Olivier, C. Rosalen

For Clermont:
5 Pens: M. Parra

Then Saturday Bourgoin showed, once again, that it was a no easy trip to go play a match at Pierre Rajon stadium as they won over the leader Castres. Then the champion Perpignan didn't leave any space to Montpellier but mess to grab a bonus point and the Stade Français grab a first win at the Stade de France stadium since a while against Bayonne.

*CSBJ, Bourgoin 16 - 9 Castres Olympique

For Bourgoin
1 Try: W. Van Zyl
1 Con: A. Di Bernardo
2 Pens: A. Di Bernardo,S. Laloo
1 Drop: B. Boyet

For Castres:
3 Pens: R. Teulet

*USAP, Perpignan 29 - 3 Montpellier MHRC

For Perpignan
2 Tries: P. Freshwater, Y. Parent
2 Cons: J. Porical
5 Pens: J. Porical

For Montpellier
1 Pen: B. Thiery

* Stade Français 34 - 10 Aviron Bayonnais

For Bayonne
1 Try: S. Gerber
1 Con: C. Gower
1 Pen: P. Bernard

For tade Français
4 Tries: B. Kayser, J. Dupuy, P. Papé, M. Gasnier.
4 Cons: L. Beauxis (3), N. Oelschig
2 Pens:L. Beauxis

Than Sunday, it was the second match on the week for Biarritz that went to meet Albi at home that was - as said earlier - on quarantine over the week – and Albi, after giving some hard time to the Racing last week, toke over Biarritz

* SCA Albi 20 - 9 Biarritz Olympique

For Albi
1 Try: K. Boulogne
3 Pens: K. Boulogne 2
2 Drops: I. Dumitras

For Biarritz
3 Pens: D. Yachvili

Then Brive, the second team on quarantine over the week, was receiving the Stade Toulousain at home. The Stade Toulousain was playing with some of the international players as next week we are back into the H Cup.

CAB Brive 27 - 21 Stade Toulousain

The match started with the two teams observing each other shortly before that Brive started to put right away some pressure on the Stade Toulousain and in a nice move from Brive, Nicolas Jeanjean marked the first try, followed right away by a second one, still by Nicolas Jeanjean. Brive kept on the pressure on the Stade Toulousain that couldn't put it's game on and the two teams left for the half time 18-6 for Brive. On the second half rapidly Toulouse showed themselves more dominant and in a nice action started by Frédéric Michalak and relayed by Florian Fritz, Cédric Heymans marked the first try for Toulouse. Right away Brive send back a attack and Fabrice Estebanez was contain in the last minute by Census Jonhston. The Stade Toulousain reacted and did put back some pressure on Brive and after a nice move Florian Fritz marked the second try for Toulouse. Then Brive decided put on more pressure on the Stade Toulousain with Fabrice Estebanez marking some drop goals. The Stade Toulousain did mess couple of occasions that they did create but Brive had a nice win.

For Brive
1 D. K hinchagisvili, 2 S. Thompson, 3 P. Barnard, 4 R. Uys, 5 A. Méla, 6 G. Vosloo, 7 V. Forgues, 8 Capt: A. Claassen, 9 S. Perry 10 F. Estebanez, 11 V. Waqaseduadua, 12 L. Mc Kay, 13 J. Noon, 14 N. Jeanjean, 15 A. Palisson
Subs: S. Zimmerman, J. Bonrepaux, P. Idieder, C. Short, F. Domingo

For Toulouse
1 J B. Poux, 2 W. Servat, 3 B. Lecouls, 4 Y. Maestri, 5 R. Millo Chluski, 6 Capt: J. Bouilhou, 7 G. Lamboley, 8 S. Sowerby, 9 N. Bezy, 10 D. Skrela, 11 C. Heymans, 12 Y. Jauzion, 13 F. Fritz, 14 Donguy, 15 C. Poitrenaud.
Subs: Y. Montes, V. Lacombe, C. Jonhston, P. Albacete, J. Ledevedec, F. Michalak, M. Médard

* CAB Brive 27 - 21 Stade Toulousain

For Brive
2 Tries: N. Jeanjean
1 Con: A. Palisson
2 Pens: A. Palisson
3 Drops:F. Estebanez

For Toulouse
2 Tries: C. Heymans, F. Fritz
1 Con: F. Michalak
3 Pens: D. Skrela (2), F. Michalak

and then for the final of that 15 day th there was the other match with the team that was playing on Wednesday, the Racing Métro 92. And well, the Racing stay on it's 8 th win on a raw against Toulon

* Racing Métro 92, 28 – 15 RCT, Toulon

For the Racing Métro
1 Try: F. Steyn
1 Con: J. Wisniewski
5 Pens: J. Wisniewski (3), F. Steyn (2)
2 Drops: J. Wisniewski

For Toulon
5 Cons: J. Wilkinson

Now as we going to have a break on the championship as we're going back into the European encounters here is the board

1 Castres 47
2 Perpignan 45 /miss one match
3 Racing Métro 43
4 Clermont 42
5 Toulouse 41
6 Stade Français 38
7 Toulon 38
8 Biarritz 33
9 Brive 33
10 Montauban 30
11 Montpellier 29
12 Bourgoin 27
13 Bayonne 23 / miss one match
14 Albi 19

here is some video of that day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJNKzFmtRQk

I hope that everybody from the Dropkicks to all the people that have the courage to read me, you all had some good holidays!!!
Now for the beginning of this new year 2010 we're back into the championship in the middle of the second triptych of the season. So that 17th day happened 4 days after the previous round.

All the matches were play on Sunday and one surprise came from Bourgoin that went to grab a win in Colombes putting an end to the Racing Métro ninth wins 18 to 17.
For Brive, Riki Flutey was, after spending some time injured, coming back to play for the second time into the Top 14 and Brive did surprise the champion Perpignan having a good win 29 to 09. Now for Perpignan Maxime Mermoz left the match injured on his shoulder as David Marty too.
Than, Castres logically won over Albi 44 to 10, Biarritz won over Montpellier 26 to 10, Clermont disposed of Toulon 39 to 3 and Montauban and the Stade Français had a draw 06 to 06, the fourth one for the Stade Français.
Than Jean Baptiste Elissalde and Byron Kelleher were making their return for the Stade Toulousain and Benjamin Fall for the Aviron Bayonnais and it's under some strong rain that the Stade Toulousain grab a win against the Aviron Bayonnais 15 to 13.

They also made some experiment on one of the match of this 17 th day with a camera- pretty much the same type of experiment that they did with Dan Carter - but it was put on the referee this time to see the referee point of view, now we didn't see the result but I'm sure it's going to be interesting.

CO Castres Olympique 44 - 10 SCA Albi
Racing Metro 92, 17 - 18 CSBJ Bourgoin-Jallieu
Montauban XV 06 - 06 Stade Français
CA Brive-Corrèze 29 - 09 USAp Perpignan
BO Biarritz Olympique 26 - 10 Montpellier MHRC
Clermont Auvergne 39 - 03 RCT Toulon
Aviron Bayonnais 13 - 15 Stade Toulousain

1 Castres 56 pts
2 Clermont Auvergne 52
3 Toulouse 49
4 Racing Métro 48
5 Perpignan 45 – miss one match
6 Biarritz 42
7 Toulon 42
8 Stade Français 41
9 Brive 38
10 Montpellier 33
11 Montauban 32
12 Bourgoin 31
13 Bayonne 25 – miss one match
14 Albi 19

Here we're back into the Top 14 for the 19 th day after the divers European interludes : ) but meaning …3 days after the last European encounters at the end to let the players going into their respective national teams to get ready for the 6th Nations. Now to have some times for the players into their national teams is good but to play the 19 th day of the Top 14, only 3 days after the European encounters well, I'm definitely not convince.

So for that 19 th day the teams that were receiving, did good. It all started Wednesday night with the Racing Métro that didn't let Clermont do their way, going into the half time 27-0. Clermont did react in the second half but the Racing Métro did hold on good to win 33 to 24. Toulon surprised Montpellier with a very fast start, marking quickly two tries but Montpellier started to fight back and the two teams went into the half time 14-13. In the second half, despite having to much indiscipline Toulon took the lead to have a win 31 to 19. Than Brive had a win at home against Montauban 19 to 14 and Castres took back the lead of the Championship against the Stade Français 32 to 14.
Than Thursday night Perpignan and Bourgoin decided to make a try festival, with Perpignan having a win at home 49 to 20. Than the Stade Toulousain went to grab a win against Albi 6 to 24 and the derby between the Avirons Bayonnais and Biarritz saw Bayonne took it's "revenge" 15 to 0.

* Racing Métro 92, 33 - 24 ASM, Clermont Auvergne

For Racing
3 Tries: H. Chavancy,D. Scarbrough, S. Bobo
3 Cons: J. Wisniewski
2 Pens: F. Steyn, J. Wisniewski
Drop : J. Wisniewski

For 24 Clermont
3 Tries: L. Jacquet, G. Williams, A. Floch
3 Cons: S. Bai
1 Pen: S. Bai

* RCT Toulon 31 - 19 Montpellier, MHRC

For Toulon
4 Tries: M. Kefu,F. Auelua, R. Lamont, O. Missoup
4 Cons: F. Contepomi
1 Pen: F. Contepomi

For Montpellier
1 Try : S. Matadigo
Con: F. Todeschini
3 Pens: F. Todeschini
1 Drop: O. Sarraméa

* CAB Brive 19 - 14 Montauban XV

1 Try :F. Estebanez
Con : A. Palisson
4 Pens: A. Palisson

For Montauban
1 Try: A. Henderson
3 Pens: L. Olivier (2),C. Rosalen

* Castres Olympique 32 - 14 Stade Français

For Castres
1 Try : C. Masoe
1 Pen. Try
2 Cons : R. Teulet
6 Pens: R. Teulet

For Stade Français
1 Try : G. Messina
3 Pens: L. Beauxis (2), I. Mieres

* USAP, Perpignan 49 - 20 CSBJ, Bourgoin

For Perpignan
7 Tries: D. Marty (2), J. Michel (2), H. Tuilagi, C. Manas, G. Guirado
5 Cons: N. Laharrague
2 Pens: N. Laharrague
1 Drop: N. Laharrague

For Bourgoin
2 Tries: J. Senio, J. Coux
2 Cons: B. Boyet, A. Di Bernardo
2 Pens: B. Boyet

* SCA Albi 6 - 24 Stade Toulousain

For Albi
2 Pens: K. Boulogne, B. Stewart

For Toulouse
4 Tries: P. Albacete, Y. Maestri, C. Heymans, M. Médard
2 Cons: D. Skrela

* Aviron Bayonnais 15 - 0 Biarritz Olympique

For Bayonne
2 Tries: J. Peyras-Loustalet, M. Edmonds
1 Con: C. Garcia
1 Pen: C. Garcia

So for that 19 th day

Racing Métro 33 - 24 Clermont
Toulon 31 - 19 Montpellier
Brive 19 - 14 Montauban
Castres 32 - 14 Stade Français
Perpignan 49 - 20 Bourgoin
Albi 6 - 24 Stade Toulousain
Aviron Bayonnais 15 – 0 Biarritz

1 Castres 60
2 Clermont 56
3 Toulouse 55
4 Perpignan 55 – miss 1 match
5 Racing Métro 52
6 Toulon 51
7 Brive 46
8 Stade Français 45
9 Biarritz 42
10 Montpellier 37
11 Montauban 33
12 Bourgoin 31 - miss 1 match
13 Bayonne 29 - miss 2 matches
14 Albi 20

Now as says earlier, the players for their national team went to get ready for the 6 Nations has the Top 14 will take some well deserved vacations for couple of weeks.

So the last match that was missing between Bourgoin and Bayonne was play earlier and it's Bourgoin who won over Bayonne 12 to 6.

This 21 th day into the Top 14 was in between the 6 Nations Tournament and most of the international players were back into their respective clubs. Now during the week there was some "bisbille" between the Stade Français and the RFU over Jim Haskell being not release for the Stade Toulousain encounter.

So the championship started Friday evening with Clermont that was receiving the champion Perpignan and Clermont won over Perpignan 22 to 17. Than Saturday, Castres kept the lead of the championship wining over Brive 35 to 10, the Aviron Bayonnais had a try festival on their win against Albi 46 to 13 and Bourgoin walked a little bit away from the relegation zone with a second win on the raw, this time over Montauban 22 to 14, Montauban who is entering the relegation zone. Toulon had a thrilling win over Biarritz nailing the score in the last minutes 21 to 20 and than, – I couldn't resist lol : ) - there was the match Stade Français v Stade Toulousain and for that encounter of the third kind the Stade Toulousain did grab a good win in the Stade de France 29 to 0, than for the closing of this 21 th day Montpellier kept on wining against strong teams at home grabbing a good win 22 to 19 against the Racing Métro.

Now regarding the French team, Frédéric Michalak has been rule out of the match against Italy after he hurt his knee in the beginning of the match against the Stade Français

Here is the results

* ASM Clermont Auvergne 22-17 USAP Perpignan

For Clermont
1 Try: A. Floch
1 Con: J. Brock
3 Pens: J. Brock
2 Drop: A. Floch,J. Brock

For Perpignan
1 Try: M. Tincu
2 Pens: N. Laharrague, D. Mélé
2 Pens: N. Laharrague

* Castres Olympique 35 - 10 CAB Brive

For Castres
4 Tries: J. Tekori, R. Teulet, P. Garcia, C. Masoe
3 Cons: R. Teulet
3 Pens: R. Teulet

For Brive
1 Try: L. MacKay
1 Con: L. Orquera
1 Pen: A. Palisson

* Aviron Bayonnais 46 - 13 SCA Albi

For Bayonne
6 Tries: A. Heguy, L. Mazars (2), T. Lacroix, S. Gerber, D. Roumieu
5 Cons: C. Garcia (2), M. Edmonds (3)
2 Pens: C. Garcia

For Albi
1 Try: M. Denêtre
1 Con: B. Lapeyre
2 Pens: B. Lapeyre, I. Dumitras

* CSBJ Bourgoin 22 - 14 Montauban XV

For Bourgoin
1 Try: W. Jooste
1 Con: B. Boyet
4 Pens: B. Boyet (2), A. Di Bernardo (2)
1 Drop: A. Di Bernardo

For Montauban
1 Try: G. Arganese
3 Pens: L. Olivier

* RCT Toulon 21 - 20 BO Biarritz Olympique

For Toulon
2 Tries: G. Lovobalavu, J. Orioli
1 Cons: F. Contepomi
3 Pens: F. Contepomi

For Biarritz
2 Tries: D. Traille, D. Yachvili
2 Cons: D. Yachvili
2 Pens: D. Yachvili

* Stade Français 0 - 29 Stade Toulousain

For Toulouse
2 Tries: G. Lamboley, C. Johnston
2 Cons: D. Skrela
5 Pens: D. Skrela

* Montpellier MHRC 22 - 19 Racing Métro 92

For Montpellier
1 Try: E. Van Staden
1 Con: F. Todeschini
5 Pens: F. Todeschini

For the Racing Métro
1 Try : S. Bobo
1 Con : F. Steyn
2 Pens: F. Steyn
2 Drops: J. Wisniewski, F. Steyn

So here we are on the board after that 21 th day

1 Castres 67
2 Clermont 65
3 Perpignan 62
4 Toulouse 60
5 Toulon 59
6 Racing Métro 55
7 Stade Français 49
8 Biarritz 47
9 Brive 47
10 Montpellier 42
11 Bourgoin 40
12 Bayonne 39
13 Montauban 37
14 Albi 20

So after the end of this 6 Nations Tournament, the players went back into their respective clubs for the 23 rd day and most of them were on the field beside couple of exceptions.
Everything started Friday night under a big storm with Bourgoin v Toulon. For Bourgoin, Benjamin Boyet was coming back after some injury and for Toulon Tana Umaga put back his boots and went to play as the medical joker for Christian Loamanu who was rule out for the end of the season. Toulon won but were very indiscipline and Bourgoin mess around 15 points in penalties.
Than Saturday, there was some strong wind all over the different fields and after a very good season, Castres who was receiving Bayonne, logically won their participation to the play off, Bayonne staying at hand from relegation.
Then, the champion Perpignan, in the same time, took the lead of the championship and validate their participation in the play off after a try festival against the Stade Français.
Clermont, in an another try festival, did validate their participation to the play off against Montpellier, Montpellier who went into the relegation zone, at one hand from Bayonne.
Than the Racing Métro won over Brive, keeping alive their chance to play the play off this season directly after coming from Pro 2. Montauban logically went to grab a win in Albi but felt to grab a bonus point at the end to stay away from relegation zone.
Then, Biarritz, in Anoeta, had a good win against the Stade Toulousain. Toulouse who did have a good start, putting down their game nicely. Then at around 40 min into the match Imanol Harinordoquy and David Skrela did knock each other's head and after that, the Stade Toulousain went into "the stratosphere", where they did not came back before the end of the match as Biarritz did put on some good pressure and that the Stade Toulousain made way to many mistakes.
Bon maintenant, "le basque bondissant" alors non seulement il nous a assommé "la skrele", mais en plus il nous a cassé "le môme" mais c'est qu'il est….vilain ! vilain! vilain ! LUI !!! ouinnnnnn lol
More seriously, unfortunately Yves Donguy hurt badly his right knee and he has been rule out for the end for the season and a while after : (
For Biarritz, Pelu Taele hurt his calf couple of minutes into the match and he will pass some more test.

CSBJ Bourgoin 9 - 13 RCT Toulon
Castres Olympique 26 - 10 Aviron Bayonnais
USAP, Perpignan 44 - 23 Stade Français
Clermont Auvergne 41 - 3 Montpellier, MHRC
Racing Métro 92, 25 - 18 CAB, Brive
SCA Albi 12 - 26 Montauban XV
Biarritz Olympique 26 - 10 Stade Toulousain

* CSBJ Bourgoin 9 - 13 RCT Toulon

For Bourgoin
3 Pens: B. Boyet

For Toulon
1 Try: F. Contepomi
1 Con: F. Contepomi
2 Pens: F. Contepomi

* Castres Olympique 26 - 10 Aviron Bayonnais

For Castres
2 Tries: M. Bonello, J. Tekori
2 Cons: R. Teulet
3 Pens: R. Teulet
1 Drop: C. McIntyre

For Bayonne
1 Try: N. Lafitte
1 Con: C. Garcia
1 Pen: C. Garcia

* USAP, Perpignan 44 - 23 Stade Français

For Perpignan
7 Tries: J. Porical, G. Britz, F. Sid, D. Marty, J. Porical, M. Tincu, N. Durand
5 Cons: J. Porical (3), I. Mieres (2)
1 Pen: J. Porical

For Stade Français
2 Tries: M. Bergamasco, J. Haskell
2 Cons: I. Mieres
2 Pens: L. Beauxis
1 Drop: L. Beauxis

* Clermont Auvergne 41 - 3 Montpellier, MHRC

For Clermont
6 Tries: M. Joubert, A. Floch, D. Zirakashvili, B. James,

E. Vermeulen, B. Cabello
4 Cons: B. James (3), S. Bai
1 Pen: B. James

For Montpellier
1 Pen: O. Sarraméa

* Racing Métro 92, 25 - 18 CAB, Brive

For Racing Métro
2 Tries: S. Chabal, S. Bobo
3 Pens: F. Steyn, A. Mehrtens (2)
1 Drop: F. Steyn

For Brive
2 Tries: J. Noon, R. Uys
1 Con: F. Estebanez
2 Pens: F. Estebanez, A. Palisson

* SCA Albi 12 - 26 Montauban XV

For Albi
2 Tries: V. Clement, P. Lakafia
1 Con: F. Manca

For Montauban
2 Tries: B. Mach, A. Figueiredo
2 Cons: C. Rosalen
4 Pens: C. Rosalen

* Biarritz Olympique 26 - 10 Stade Toulousain

For Biarritz
1 Try: D. Traille
6 Pens: D. Yachvili
1 Drop: D. Traille

For Toulouse
1 Try: M. Médard
1 Con: D. Skrela
1 Pen: D. Skrela

and here is the board at the end of that 23 rd day

1 Perpignan 71, qualify for the play off
2 Castres 71, qualify for the play off
3 Clermont 70, qualify for the play off
4 Toulon 67
5 Toulouse 65
6 Racing Métro 59
7 Biarritz 52
8 Brive 52
9 Stade Français 49
10 Montauban 45
11 Bourgoin 45
12 Bayonne 43
13 Montpellier 42
14 Albi 20, goes back on Pro 2

So that 25 th day into the Top 14 happened in between ashes of volcano coming from Iceland making the teams traveling by bus and after the quarter finals of the H Cup and the European Challenge that saw Biarritz, Toulouse been qualify for the semi finals of the H Cup and Toulon for the European Challenge : ))) Clermont, Paris and Bourgoin mess their qualification and all the other teams had previously, the weekend off.

So everything started Friday evening with one of the "big matches" of that 25 th day with Clermont receiving Castres and after some type of an hangover and under a good Castres pressure, Clermont in the second half clutched a speed to take the win. Saturday Montpellier went to grab a win against Montauban to keep themselves from relegation as Montauban slowly slides onto it and that they are trying to save the club. Bayonne, the other protagonist of "the bottom battle", did have a good win against Brive. Same for Bourgoin who did have a good win over the Stade Toulousain as the Stade Toulousain didn't find the key, and Bourgoin kept themselves from relegation.
Than, for their last match at home in the Top 14, Albi had a good win against the Stade Français, the Stade Français who will not reach the play off stages, things that didn't happen since 2002.
Than one of the other "big match" of that 25 the day was between the two leaders of the championship Toulon against the Champion Perpignan and in an intense and exciting match Toulon won, taking in the same time the lead of the championship for the first time since 2002.
Then the last, but not the least of the "big match" was for the last ticket for the play off , Biarritz v Racing Métro and after a little more than the first half for Biarritz, the Racing Métro pull out some good pressure on Biarritz to go grab the last ticket for the play off.
So, at one day into the championship before last, of the regular phases, the six teams who will play in the play-off are Toulon, Perpignan, Clermont, Castres, Toulouse and Colombes.
Now the next day on the Top 14 will say who will go directly on semi finals and who will receive for the quarterfinals.

Clermont 25 - 19 Castres
Montauban 6-19 Montpellier
Bayonne 33-25 Brive
Albi 38-24 Stade Français
Bourgoin 15-13 Toulouse
Toulon 33-23 Perpignan
Racing Métro 29 - 22 Biarritz

* ASM Clermont Auvergne 25-19 CO, Castres Olympique

For Clermont
3 Tries: M. Joubert, E. Vermeulen, G. Canale
2 Cons: M. Parra
2 Pens: M. Parra

For Castres
1 Try: M. Andreu
1 Con: R. Teulet
3 Pens: R. Teulet
1 Drop: R. Teulet

* Montauban XV 6 - 19 Montpellier, MHRC

For Montauban
2 Pens: J. Audy

For Montpellier
1 Try: F. Trinh-Duc
Con: F. Todeschini
3 Pens: F. Todeschini
1 Drop: F. Trinh-Duc

* Aviron Bayonnais 33 - 25 CAB, Brive

For Bayonne
3 Tries: T. Lacroix, S. Gerber, R. Filipo
3 Cons: C. Garcia
4 Pens: C. Garcia

For Brive
3 Tries: J. Noon, J. Pejoine, F. Estebanez
2 Cons: A. Palisson
2 Pens: A. Palisson

* CSBJ Bourgoin 15 - 13 Stade Toulousain

For Bourgoin
5 Pens: A. Di Bernardo

For Toulouse
1 Try: V. Lacombe
Con: D. Skrela
2 Pens: D. Skrela

* SCA Albi 38 - 24 Stade Français

For Albi
3 Tries: D. Vainqueur, K. Boulogne, B. Lapeyre
1 Con: B. Lapeyre
7 Pens: B. Lapeyre

For Stade Français
4 Tires: A. Burban, M. Bergamasco, L. Beauxis, G. Boussès
2 Cons: L. Beauxis, I. Mieres

* RCT, Toulon 33 - 23 USAP, Perpignan

For Toulon
2 Tries: L. Rooney
1 Con: J. Wilkinson
5 Pens: J. Wilkinson
2 Drops: J. Wilkinson

For Perpignan
2 Tries: F. Sid, G. Le Corvec
2 Cons: J. Porical
3 Pens: J. Porical

* Racing Métro 92, 29 - 22 BO, Biarritz Olympique

For Racing Métro
2 Tries: J. Leo'o, B. Leroux
2 Cons: A. Mehrtens
5 Pens: J. Wisniewski (2),A. Mehrtens (3)

For Biarritz
2 Tries: I. Balshaw, K. Hunt
2 Cons: D. Yachvili
2 Drops: D. Traille

So here is the board before the last round

1 Toulon 76
2 Perpignan 75
3 Clermont 74
4 Castres 73
5 Toulouse 70
6 Racing Métro 64

7 Biarritz 58
8 Brive 57
9 Stade Français 53
10 Montpellier 51
11 Bourgoin 49

12 Bayonne 47
13 Montauban 45
14 Albi 24

So after the European semi finals of last weekend : ) the quarter final of the Top 14 happened this weekend. The quarterfinal decide witch team will play the champion and leader of the championship, Perpignan and the second of the championship Toulon, and it's Clermont that will encounter Toulon and Toulouse will meet Perpignan. Now I didn't see the match Clermont vs Colombes.

ASM Clermont Auvergne 21 - 17 Racing Métro 92
Stade Toulousain 35 – 12 CO, Castres Olympique

* ASM Clermont Auvergne 21 - 17 Racing Métro 92

For Clermont
7 Pens: B. James (2), M. Parra (5)

For Colombes
1 Try: J. Cronjé
2 Pens: J. Wisniewski, F. Steyn
2 Drops: J. Wisniewski, F. Steyn

Clermont:
1 Thomas Domingo, 2 Benoît Cabello, 3 Davit Zirakashvili, 4 Jamie Cudmore, 5 Julien Pierre, 6 Julien Bonnaire, 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 8 Elvis Vermeulen, 9 Morgan Parra, 10 Brock James, 11 Julien Malzieu, 12 Gonzalo Canale, 13 Marius Joubert, 14 Napolioni Nalaga, 15 Capt: Aurélien Rougerie
Subs: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Thibaut Privat, 19 Alexandre Audebert, 20 Kevin Senio, 21Tasesa Lavea, 22 Anthony Floch, 23 Martin Scelzo.

For Colombes:
1 Andréa Lo Cicero, 2 Olivier Diomandé, 3 Mikaele Tuugahala, 4 Santiago Dellape, 5 Cpat: Lionel Nallet, 6 John Leo'o, 7 Jacques Cronje, 8 Sébastien Chabal, 9 Jérôme Fillol, 10 Francois Steyn, 11 Saubade, 12 Andrea Masi, 13 Henry Chavancy, 14 Sereli Bobo, 15 Jonathan Wisniewski
Subs: 16 Carlo Festuccia, 17 Mehdi Merabet, 18 Jone Qovu, 19 Willem Le Roux, 20 Nic Berry, 21 Andrew Mehrtens, 22 Mani Vakaloa, 23 Juan-Pablo Orlandi.

* Stade Toulousain 35 – 12 CO, Castres Olympique

The weather during the week was not a May type of weather, but much more like a February/March's type, in two words: suddenly cold ! The weekend before, we had for the semi final of the H Cup between the Stade Toulousain and Leinster that saw Toulouse wining its sixth ticket for the final of it, OOOOOOOO : ), poooring rain !!! But things went much better, with the Sun making a wink on the 7 th, so the quarterfinal, Saturday, went under better condition as it was happening in Toulouse too ! : )

The match started right away, with the two teams rapidly trying to put down their game. Than after around 4 minutes, Castres made a forward with the ball that Gregory Lamboley grabbed to make a hook to pass it to Byron Kelleher who send Maxime Médard for a run to cross the line that Jean Baptisse Elissalde converted. Than, the two teams did put some pressure on each other. Castres showing itself dangerous specially on lineout. Than, after a scrum for Castres, Toulouse got back the ball to make their way till couple of meter before the line then Yannick Jauzion send the ball to Vincent Clerc who made his way to cross the line bringing the score 14 to 0 for the Stade Toulousain. Castres got a bit knocked on the head, making many mistakes. The two teams left for the half time 17 to 6 for Toulouse. On the second half, Castres started to put on some good pressure on the Stade Toulousain, but Toulouse did hold on good, starting, little by little, to put down their game. Then around a quarter before the end of the match, the Stade Toulousain clutched a gear and it's with two nice moves leading to two tries that they grabbed their ticket for the semi final of the championship OOOOOOO : ) and it will be the 17 th times on the raw for the Stade Toulousain, et ça me fait plaisir pour eux !!! : )
At the end of the match Finau Maka, was carried by the players for a last tour de piste à la maison, as he will be leaving the club after 9 years, at the end of the season.

Now, even if their path stop here, Castres did have a great season anyhow, and I'm sure they did had fun ! : )

* Stade Toulousain 35 – 12 CO, Castres Olympique

For Toulouse
4 Tries: M. Médard, V. Clerc (2), Y. David
3 Cons: J.B Elissalde (2), F. Fritz
3 Pens: J.B Elissalde

For Castres:
4 Pens: R. Teulet

For Toulouse:
1 Jean-Baptiste Poux, 2 William Servat, 3 Benoît Lecouls, 4 Yoann Maestri, 5 Romain Millo-Chluski, 6 Capt: Thierry Dusautoir, 7 Gregory Lamboley, 8 Louis Picamoles, 9 Byron Kelleher, 10 Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, 11 Vilimoni Delasau, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 13 Yann David, 14 Vincent Clerc, 15 Maxime Médard.
Subs: 16 Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 17 Daan Human, 18 Patricio Albacete, 19 Finau Maka, 20 Jean Bouilhou, 21 Florian Fritz, 22 Clément Poitrenaud, 23 Yohann Montes.

For Castres:
1 Carl Hoeft, 2 Mathieu Bonello, 3 Daniel Saayman, 4 Matthias Rolland, 5 Capt: Rodrigo Capo-Ortega, 6 Ibrahim Diarra, 7 Yannick Caballero, 8 Chris Masoe, 9 Alexandre Albouy, 10 Cameron McIntyre, 11 Marc Andreu, 12 Romain Cabannes, 13 Pierre-Emmanuel Garcia, 14 Yohann Audrin, 15 Romain Teulet.
Subs: 16 Michael Coetzee, 17 Yannick Forestier, 18 Kirill Koulemine, 19 Iosefa Tekori, 20 Thomas Sanchou, 21 Mathieu Nicolas, 22 Florian Denos, 23 Luc Ducalcon.

Here is some images

So the semi finals will start Friday 14 of May with l'USAP Perpignan against the Stade Toulousain at the Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier and Saturday 15 with the RCT, Toulon against l'ASM Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint Etienne.

and congratulation to the SUA, Agen for their return in the Top 14 !!! : )

Here we go on the final of the championship, I'll make it short cause I've got thing to do today before the Barbarians matches starts but I wanted to share it quickly with you "guys" as we have been following this French season

So, la quatrième était la bonne

it's Clermont Auvergne that won the 109th French final 19 to 6 against Perpignan and who bring the Brennus Shield at home for the first time of their history after coming four time in a raw into the finals.

Clermont started strong as usual and after a quarter into the match, they took the lead with a try by Napolioni Nalaga 10 to 0 and Clermont kept their domination and played in Perpignan side for most of the first half. Perpignan had hard time to get into the match under Clermont's pressure. The two teams left for the half time 13 to 6 for Clermont Auvergne.
In the second half Clermont kept on going putting some more pressure on Perpignan that was trying to resist but it was a day without for Jérôme Porical who mess important points as Clermont extinguished them little by little to win the match 19 to 6.

Now I'm very glad for Clermont Auvergne cause they have been a very regular and beautiful team all along of those four years, mes félicitations !!! Cheers !!! : )
And I don't forget that Perpignan has been a beautiful champion all over this season, no matter what.

For Clermont:
1 Try: N.Nalaga
1 Con: M.Parra
3 Pens: M.Parra
1 Drop goal: A.Floch

For Perpignan:
2 Pens: J. Porical

For l'ASM Clermont Auvergne:
1 Thomas Domingo, 2 Mario Ledesma, 3 Martin Scelzo, 4 Jamie Cudmore, 5 Thibault Privat,
6 Julien Bonnaire , 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 8 Elvis Vermeulen, 9 Morgan Parra, 10 Brock James, 11 Julien Malzieu , 12 Marius Joubert, 13 Capt: Aurélien Rougerie, 14 Napolioni Nalaga, 15 Anthony Floch
Subs: 16 Benoît Cabello, 17 Davit Zirakashvili, 18 Julien Pierre, 19 Alexandre Audebert, 20 Kevin Senio, 21 Tasesa Lavea, 22 Gonzalo Canale, 23 Vincent Debaty.

For l'USAP Perpignan :
1 Perry Freshwater, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 3 Capt: Nicolas Mas, 4 Olivier Olibeau, 5 Robins Tchale-Watchou, 6 Ovidiu Tonita, 7 Henry Tuilagi, 8 Jean-Pierre Pérez, 9 Nicolas Durand,
10 Gavine Hume, 11 Christophe Manas, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 13 David Marty, 14 Adrien Planté, 15 Jérôme Porical
Subs: 16 Marius Tincu, 17 Jérôme Schuster, 18 Guillaume Vilaceca, 19 Gregory Le Corvec, 20 David Mélé, 21 Nicholas Laharrague, 22 Jean-Philippe Grandclaude, 23 Kisi Pulu.

and here is some images of Clermont

and some images of the match from rugbydump ; )