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A Play is an certified digital object available in a limited edition. It holds an official video (TOP 14, PRO D2, URC). Create your own albums, collect Plays and use them in Challenges and the Fans' Championship to win rewards and access legendary experiences! Secondary market will be available soon.
A Play is an certified digital object available in a limited edition. It holds an official video (TOP 14, PRO D2, URC). Create your own albums, collect Plays and use them in Challenges and the Fans' Championship to win rewards and access legendary experiences! Secondary market will be available soon.
Each Pack contains one or several Plays. Choose your Drop, buy your Pack and open it to reveal all the Plays it contains.
11 days
Through French Parcours, you'll find rugby players who have left their mark on their clubs, the French championship and the rest of the rugby world. Whether they're French, Welsh, Fijian, English, New Zealanders or Australians, they've become part of rugby culture and written their names into the legends of their national teams as well as their careers in France.
Stories from fans and about legendary moments
PAU, RACING AND CASTRES WIN AWAY FROM HOMESection Paloise confirmed their excellent start to the season with a 24-39 win at Aimé Giral. The Catalans, on the other hand, were left without a single point in the standings...Racing beat Montpellier in their own backyard, while the Castrais achieved the performance of the day with a 24-27 win over La Rochelle at Marcel Deflandre.LYON AND TOULON ON TOP, TOULOUSE IN TROUBLEAfter a poor start to the league season, Lyon and Toulon came out on top on their home turf. The LOU won with an attacking bonus against Clermont, while Toulon largely dominated Oyonnax (41-7) with the return of Ollivon and Villière.For their part, reigning champions Toulouse, had a scare at Ernest-Wallon. Faced with a valiant Bordeaux side, it was late in the game that the Red and Blacks made the difference, winning 29-22.BAYONNE, UNSINKABLE AT JEAN-DAUGERIn what was their 15th sold-out match, the Basques once again proved their worth in front of their home crowd against Stade Français. Bayonnais have been unbeaten at Jean-Dauger since their return to the top flight in 2022. It was a victory that will not go down in the annals (16-3), but which enabled Grégory Patat's men to maintain their mid-table position.
At the end of each season, the same key moments occur. From the coronation of the champions, to a fortunate rise, to a difficult relegation, a small handful of players have a regular appointment: retirement. It's time to say goodbye to the team, the fans and the pitch.Clap de fin looks back at the careers of five players whose qualities and longevity have left their mark on French rugby. This summer, the "Clap de fin" selection gives you access to some of the great moments in the careers of six emblematic players in French rugby.2022-2023 will have been their last season, find Clap de fin on LegendaryPlays.comMathieu BastareaudTo be discovered on LegendaryPlays.com from 3 to 24 July The bulldozer of French rugby, Mathieu Bastareaud, ended his career on 16 July 2023. His imposing physique and powerful game made opposing defences tremble. Discover the moments when he destroyed everything in his path.Romain SazyAvailable on LegendaryPlays.com from 10/07La Rochelle's iconic captain, Romain Sazy, said farewell to rugby on 20 August 2023. His unwavering determination propelled his team to the top. Discover his moments of bravery that electrified the crowds.Rémi LameratAvailable on LegendaryPlays.com from 24 July.Masterful centre Rémi Lamerat retired on 5 August 2023. His visionary play and impeccable technique made him a true master of attack. Discover his moments of genius that left their mark on French rugby.Sergio ParisseAvailable from 31 July on LegendaryPlays.comLegendary number 8 Sergio Parisse played his last match on 12 August 2023. His leadership on the field and his vision of the game made him an icon of French rugby. Dive into the legacy he leaves behind.Morgan ParraAvailable on LegendaryPlays.com from 07 AugustExceptional scrum-half Morgan Parra has announced his retirement on 27 August 2023. His tactical intelligence and surgical precision on foot have made him a master of the game. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of this outstanding player.
TOULOUSE AND LA ROCHELLE AS CHAMPIONSAfter their setbacks on the opening day of the championship, the last Top 14 finalists were quick to respond. Les Rochelais clearly dominated LOU rugby (35-14), but let the attacking bonus point slip from their grasp. For their part, Toulouse outclassed the MHR to close out the second day (38-13). With 6 tries scored, including 3 in the first twenty minutes, Ugo Mola's men ran riot despite the absence of 17 internationals.TOULON, PAU AND BORDEAUX NARROWLY BEATENThere were no away wins this week, but there were some very close matches. Union Bordeaux-Bègles won by just two points against Castres (25-23). The same goes for Section Paloise, who beat Racing 92 by the same scoreline (19-17). RCT, meanwhile, struggled to escape the Bayonne trap with a narrow 19-14 win.STADE FRANÇAIS CONFIRMS, CLERMONT REACTSStade Français Paris confirmed on home turf the success they had achieved in Catalonia on Matchday 1. Although they were not flamboyant, the men from the capital secured the essential points by beating Oyonnax (28-18). ASM Clermont, for their part, reacted well after their rout of Oyonnax. The Clermonts won with an attacking bonus (38-14) against USA Perpignan.STADE FRANÇAIS ALONE AT THE TOP OF THE LEAGUEJust two games in and only one team remains unbeaten in this championship. With two wins from two games, albeit against lower-ranked teams (Perpignan and Oyonnax), Le Stade Français is the sole leader of the Top 14.
ONLY ONE AWAY WIN, FOR THE NEWLY-PROMOTED OYONNAX!Promoted side Oyonnax pulled off the biggest shot of the 8th round of the TOP 14 with a 21-26 win away to Montpellier. The result lifted Oyonnax up to 9th place in the standings, while Montpellier's 7th defeat in 8 rounds has taken them deeper into crisis... BORDEAUX, PAU, TOULOUSE AND RACING ON TOPUBB easily overcame Perpignan with an attacking bonus point (46-22), Damian Penaud scoring four tries in one half. The France XV winger shone in his first match in front of his home crowd at Chaban-Delmas.Pau confirmed their new status as one of the top teams in the TOP 14 by beating Stade Français in style (30-6), with the attacking bonus in their pocket.After their defeat at Castres, Toulouse responded well at Ernest-Wallon by beating Clermont with an attacking bonus (31-10). This bonus was earned on the last play of the match with a try from Baptiste Germain.Rounding off Round 8, Racing came from behind to beat La Rochelle, who were quickly reduced to 14 men. The 32-10 win sees the Racingmen move to the top of the table. LYON AND TOULON WIN IN STYLEAfter 3 consecutive defeats, Lyon bounced back with a 42-29 home win over Aviron Bayonnais.For their part, Toulon easily overcame Castres on the opening day (41-19). It was a win without a bonus, but one that puts the Var outfit in 4th place, their best position since the start of the season.
During the World Cup break, let's take a look at the performances of the teams in our league at the start of the season. AVIRON BAYONNAIS ➡️ A mixed start (1 win, 2 defeats) Bayonnais got the championship off to a perfect start with a 26-7 win over champions Toulouse at their Jean-Dauger stadium. They then lost to Toulon, but came away with a valuable defensive bonus point (19-14). Bayonnais, on the other hand, suffered a heavy defeat at Castres on Matchday 3, failing to score a single point (37-0). As if the Castres in-goal didn't exist. BORDEAUX-BÈGLES ➡️ An encouraging start to the season (2 wins, 1 defeat) The Bordelos-Béglais lost the opening match of the championship to Racing 92 (23-18), but picked up a defensive bonus point. They then followed that up with 2 straight wins over Castres (25-23) and Toulon (22-17) at their Chaban-Delmas stadium. Bordeaux loves suspense, and so do we! CASTRES OLYMPIQUE ➡️ A diesel start (2 wins, 1 loss) The Castrais won by the slimmest of margins on the opening day against Pau (24-23). They then lost at Chaban Delmas by just two points (25-23) before beating Bayonne on an amazing score (37-0). CLERMONT AUVERGNE ➡️ A monotonous start (2 wins, 1 defeat) ASM were outclassed by promoted Oyonnax in their league opener (36-17). They then responded well at home to USAP (38-14) and La Rochelle (11-10), in a boring match. LA ROCHELLE ➡️ A mediocre start (1 win, 2 defeats) Deprived of a number of key players, Les Rochelais opened their league campaign with a 26-15 defeat at Montpellier. They then responded well at Marcel-Deflandre against LOU (35-14). Just before the summer break, they left "Le Michelin" with a disappointing defensive bonus point (11-10). The Rochelais fans are eagerly awaiting the return of their international players. LYON ➡️ A good start, then a rout (1 win, 2 defeats) Lyon got their season off to the perfect start with an attacking bonus point win over RCT (27-15). They then conceded 35 points at La Rochelle and 40 at Pau. A break that will do the Lyonnais a world of good to get their heads back in the game. Over the past few days, we've had to deal with a few "LOUveteaux" on the pitch. MONTPELLIER ➡️ A very mixed start (1 win, 2 defeats) Despite their opening victory over La Rochelle (26-15), Montpellier then fell apart in the first half of the championship. Dominated by Toulouse on Matchday 2 (38-13), they failed to respond against Stade Français, losing 24-9. They will need to react quickly if they are to avoid going off course. OYONNAX ➡️ A decent start for a promoted team (1 win, 2 defeats) Admittedly, the results were not very good, but the content was rather encouraging. On their return to the top flight, Oyonnax beats Clermont 36-17 on their return to action. They then lost at Paris (28-18), before coming close to a defensive bonus against Toulouse (21-27). We're being rather lenient with the newcomers. PAU ➡️ Excellent recovery for The Palois (2 wins, 1 defeat) Despite losing by a single point to Castres (24-23), Les Palois quickly responded in the best possible way. After a hard-fought 19-17 win over Racing, the men in green outclassed LOU Rugby before the break, taking the attacking bonus (40-10). But who is this team? PERPIGNAN ➡️ A poor start (3 defeats) The Catalans have had a disastrous start to the season. Defeated at home by Stade Français on Matchday 1 (7-29), they failed to respond against Clermont (38-14) and suffered a heavy defeat against Racing on Matchday 3 (59-10). With 126 points conceded in 3 matches, Perpignan's start to the season has been nothing short of complicated. Should they have joined the Pro D2 last year? RACING 92 ➡️ A good start to the season (2 wins, 1 defeat) Racing got their campaign off to a good start with a 23-18 win over Bordeaux. They then lost to Pau at Le Hameau, picking up a defensive bonus (19-17). Finally, they unleashed their rugby against the Catalans of USAP (59-10), scoring 9 tries in the process. Les Ciel et Blanc show no mercy... STADE FRANÇAIS ➡️ Received 3/3 (3 wins) Admittedly, Stade Français have yet to face any of the big names in the Top 14, but they have done the basics - 3 games, 3 wins. First of all against Perpignan (7-29), then against Oyonnax (28-18), before dominating Montpellier (24-9). Real stadium gods! TOULON ➡️ A rollercoaster start (1 win, 2 defeats) RCT lost to Lyon in the opening match of the championship (27-15). They then responded well with a 19-14 win over Bayonne. Before the break, they came away from Bordeaux with a valuable defensive bonus point (22-17). Toulon is a mess. TOULOUSE ➡️ The rise crescendo (2 wins, 1 defeat) In the opening match of the championship at Jean-Dauger, the Toulousans looked unrecognisable against the Basques, losing 26-7. They then responded like champions by outclassing Montpellier (38-13), before winning at Oyonnax (21-27). Never doubt the big clubs. See you on 29 October to find out what happens next!
AVIRON BAYONNAIS WINS LEAGUE OPENERIn a packed Jean-Dauger stadium, Aviron Bayonnais came out on top against champions Toulouse (26-7). Led by an outstanding Camille Lopez, the Basques confirmed that they will be hard to beat at home, having never lost at Jean-Dauger last year.RACING AND CASTRES WITHIN TOUCHING DISTANCERacing's Ciels et Blancs came from behind to defeat Union Bordeaux-Bègles 23-18. Reduced to 14 men after just 4 minutes, the Racingmen were helped by a brace from Nolann Le Garrec. For their part, Castres Olympique won by the slimmest of margins against Pau (24-23). With Castres conceding 8 penalties, Pau's indiscipline cost them dearly in this match.OYONNAX MAKES A SUCCESSFUL RETURN TO THE TOP 14, LYON AND MONTPELLIER WIN THE CLASHESBack in the Top 14, 5 years after their last appearance, Oyonnax dominated Clermont at their Charles Mathon stadium (36-17). The LOU, meanwhile, picked up an attacking bonus against Toulon (27-15) to get their season off to a good start. Finally, to round off the first day, Montpellier beat last year's unfortunate finalists, La Rochelle, 26-15.
Sergio Parisse, Italian classSome players are gifted. There are players with talent. And then there are players with class. Sergio Parisse undeniably falls into this third category, that of stylish, elegant players who light up the game and invent new moves.Born in Argentina to Italian parents, Sergio discovered rugby at Club Universitario de La Plata. He quickly stood out from the crowd. Almost 2 metres tall, weighing just over 100 kilos, he had golden hands and rare speed for such a big man. John Kirwan's Italy were making eyes at him. And Parisse found himself making the journey to his parents' homeland, in the charming town of Treviso. That's where the story begins. At the age of 18, he signed his first pro contract for €800 a month. By the age of 19, he was a regular starter for his club. By the time he was 20, he was a key member of the Italian national team and played in his first World Cup, in Australia.His coach, John Kirwan, was spellbound. And he was already being compared to the greats: Zinzan Brooke, Imanol Harinordoquy and Morné du Plessis. It has to be said that Parisse can do it all. A talented line-out jumper and a decent defender, Sergio's uniqueness lies in his ability to hold the ball up. Able to play before or after contact, to pass the arms, to take the intervals and even... to play on foot. All this would be quite normal if Sergio Parisse wasn't a forward.A talent like that could not stay in Italy. So, perhaps because he too is different, certainly because the Italo-Argentine colony is present in force there, the most natural club for Parisse could only be... Paris. The Stade Français, with all its glitz, glamour and ambition. And as if the two were made for each other, the romance is total. Parisse is elegant and unpredictable, classy, yet singular, inspiring and, let's face it, sometimes astounding. The 8 is capable of carrying the ball 50 metres, of screwing in a pass like an opener, and his style is out of this world. He is adored by his supporters and respected by his opponents. And wherever he goes, he seems to single-handedly carry the ambitions of his teams. It's even worse with Italy, where he occasionally gives the impression of being the only talented player in a bottom-of-the-table team. View this post on Instagram A post shared by sergioparisse (@sergioparisse) The love affair between Paris and its third row will last fourteen years. That's enough time to win two Top 14 titles (2007 and 2015) and a European Challenge (2017), and it's enough time to splash the championship with his class. Aerial, free-flowing and inspired, he can attack from fly-half position in the same match, deliver a decisive chistera and overrun a centre. But the spirited young third row has aged. And when Stade Français won the Brennus Shield in 2015, Sergio was already 32. A career can fly by when it's this full. What happens after this title? Complicated. Love makes time pass, time makes love pass. At 36, the club of his life no longer believed in him. Too old, too expensive. So the end of the road seemed to be drawing near. But one team was reaching out to him. The RCT, which has never been afraid to give experienced players a chance, offered him one last challenge. Initially for two seasons. Parisse would stay for four years. At the end of each season, the Italian colossus tried to put an end to his career. And each time, the devouring passion that drives him takes over. In 2021, he announced he was hanging up his boots. Then he didn't. In 2022, as radiant as ever on the pitch, he even announced his retirement, almost certain, on Canal+. "If I tell my wife I'm doing another season, she'll kill me," he said. Then he opens the door, "you should never say never". In the end, as unpredictable as he was on the pitch, Parisse extended his Toulon adventure one last time. His history as a player is ending on a symbolic note. At the age of 39, the almost-doyen of the French championship set out one last time to conquer Europe. In the final of the Challenge, the only European Cup to have been offered to him, Toulon overthrew the Warriors in a deluge of tries (43-19). Parisse left the field in tears. So this time it really was over. After a career spanning almost 20 years, with 142 caps to his name and hundreds of unforgettable performances, Sergio Parisse will be putting his boots away.Unless... Unless the almost forty-year-old offers himself one last challenge in the form of a final feint. Unless, in a supreme act of honour, he postpones his retirement for a few months to take part in the Rugby World Cup in France. That's a possibility. And even if he has to convince his wife...
How hard it must be to be heralded as a future great player at just 15 years of age. Yet that's exactly what has weighed on Remi Lamerat's (solid) shoulders. His career path initially resembles a motorway to success: recruited by Toulouse at the age of 15, international under 16, under 17, under 18, under 19, under 20, upgraded with Toulouse before even reaching the age of majority.The first testsAnd if the path has been so linear and meteoric, it's because the young man has everything going for him. Solid (1.85 metres, over 100 kilos), explosive, fast and technical. He hasn't even played a minute of professional football and already he's being compared to Yannick Jauzion and Damien Traille.But be warned: the weight of expectation is a tricky thing to bear. Especially for a kid. In 2008, when he was due to join the first team after the injuries to Clément Poitrenaud and Vincent Clerc, he too was injured. The first of many...A new start at CastresThe following year, a comet crossed the skies of the Top 14. It had been expected for years, but its passage was to be meteoric. In three seasons with Stade Toulousain, the centre only played around twenty matches. This was obviously due to the competition. But also a certain fragility, which led to a succession of injuries. So, after three lacklustre seasons, Lamerat left Toulouse. The journey wasn't too far: 85km. He headed for Castres, the club where he needed to make his mark.But the misery continued: Remi Lamerat suffered two cruciate injuries in two years. And his first two seasons were blank. As the years went by, the prodigy was slow to establish himself at the top level. In fact, the first doubts even arose. Was Lamerat simply cut out for high-level rugby? The question remains, even when he finally makes a comeback. After 5 seasons of not playing, or almost not playing, the road is no longer as clear-cut. Success might come his way, but not through the detours he took and the tortuous paths he followed. His time at Castres was punctuated by a title. A victory over Toulon, which he watched in civilian clothes. Once again, injured. The turning point came the following yearThere was little time to make up for lost time. But the Girondins' rocket was launched: he finally established himself at the centre of the attack, multiplying his charges and his runs. He played more games in one season than in his entire professional career. Lamerat took the league by storm and never looked back. In 9 months, he had experienced it all: the joy of being a full-time rugby player, the exhilaration of a Top 14 final (which he lost this time), the joy of selection.The pinnacle: making his mark with "Les Bleus" and shining at club levelWith Les Bleus, Lamerat had to earn his place against the likes of Fofana, Bastareaud, Fickou, Dumoulin, Mermoz, Danty, Vakatawa, David, Chavancy and Ntamack (who made his debut at centre with the French national team). And yet he gradually made his mark. Perhaps because with Castres, then Clermont, he played in four finals in six years. Probably because his profile as a powerful puncher, a big defender and a courageous player meant that he could be associated with almost any other player without detracting from his qualities. He is at the peak of his powers at almost 30 years of age, a far cry from the promise of his precociousness. But that doesn't matter. With ASM in 2017, he won a third French Championship title of his own, his first as a regular starter.Rémi Lamerat should have been the best player of his generation. Yet when he hangs up his boots, the buffalo from Gironde will have no regrets. He was a French champion, an international, a starter at a World Cup and a fixture at almost every club he played for. A few nostalgic fans, or the curious few, will ask the fateful question: what if? And if Remi Lamerat had not suffered all those injuries, would he have been the greatest centre-half of all time? It's a question that will remain unanswered.
RACING AND TOULON WIN AWAY FROM HOMERacing beat their Parisian rivals 13-9 in disastrous conditions. Henry Chavancy, who scored the only try of the match, gave his team-mates an 8th consecutive victory at Jean-Bouin against Stade Français.For their part, Toulon produced the performance of the day by winning at their great rivals Clermont-Ferrand. Pierre Mignoni's men had a scare at the end of the match, but were able to get the job done, winning 30-27. BAYONNE AND OYONNAX ON TOP, MONTPELLIER IN FREEFALL18 years! Aviron Bayonnais had not won against Section Paloise for 18 years, and now they have! The Basques continue their unbeaten run at Jean-Dauger since their return to the top flight, and did so with an attacking bonus (35-16).Oyonnax, for their part, easily overcame Lyon 38-20. The only negative point was that they missed out on an attacking bonus point that was within their grasp...In the duel between Perpignan and Montpellier, USAP came out on top 23-16. Les Cistes leave Aimé-Giral empty-handed and in last place in the table... A very difficult moment for the Héraultais. LA ROCHELLE AND CASTRES WIN THE CLASHESCastres-Toulouse and La Rochelle-Bordeaux, the two matches that rugby fans have been waiting for!In the first, Castres Olympique beat their neighbours Toulouse 31-23. A late try from Wilfrid Hounkpatin secured the win. The Toulousains are still going through their running-in period since the start of the season...On Sunday evening, it was the Rochelais who came out on top in front of their home crowd at Marcel Deflandre. Trailing by 13 points, Ronan O'Gara's men fought back to claim a precious win on home soil (25-21).
The word legendary is sometimes overused. But Romain Ntamack's 78th-minute try in the Top 14 final between Toulouse and La Rochelle deserves the supreme adjective.Historic. Unforgettable. Memorable.Don't waste any more.La Rochelle should have won the final ...Let's be honest, Toulouse should not have won this match. La Rochelle logically led 26-22, dominating the scrum, the touchline, the ground and the scoreline. Stade Rochelais had done everything they could to take the lead with just a few seconds remaining.The fans believed in the miracle of a first title. Especially when the Toulouse opener, who was discovering the Stade de France as a first-team regular with Toulouse, kicked a dead ball on one of his team's rare highlights.At that precise moment, Toulouse could no longer win. Ugo Mola even thought of sending off the French prodigy, groggy after his blunder.But Romain Ntamack is not a normal player. He's not built like the others and, in his head, he's the strongest.Ntamack decided otherwiseIn a dazzling move on 78ᵉ minutes, the fly-half took an unlikely gap, tore through the black and yellow defence and finished off a furious 50-metre run into the Maritimes in-goal.La Rochelle had the shield in their hands. Romain Ntamack decided otherwise.An action like no other for a player like no other. A cruel outcome for the La Rochelle fans. Immense joy for the Toulouse fans.Toulouse's 29-26 victory will remain in the memories of all those who witnessed the match. Romain Ntamack's tears at the final whistle put an end to one of the greatest seasons in the history of the Top 14. View this post on Instagram A post shared by L'Équipe (@lequipe) Well done Toulouse. And thank you.
Day 22 of the 2022-2023 Top 14 was a day of confirmations.Confirmation of the bosses:The first is that Toulouse and La Rochelle are indeed the two bosses of the 2022-2023 version of the Top 14, with Les Maritimes beating Bayonne 26-6 and Toulouse, without a number of key players at the start, holding off Lyon in a spectacular match.Confirmation of probable relegationThe second certainty at the end of the weekend was that CA Brive would need a miracle to stay in the Top 14. Despite a courageous performance, the Corréziens lost at home to Stade Français (22-27). The Coujoux are now 14 points adrift of 12th place. An abyss.Confirmation that Montpellier will not keep their titleIn a remake of the 2022 final, Castres Olympique came from behind to defeat Montpellier. It was a defeat in the shape of a definitive stoppage for the MHR. And it provoked the anger of Philippe Saint-André, Montpellier's director of rugby: "We're ashamed of our fans, our president, our partners and the people who follow us. We were ready to play ping-pong and not rugby.Confirmation for RacingRacing won in the last second at home to Union Bordeaux-Bègles. It was a 31-28 win that has put the team from the Paris region back in the running for the finals. In the standings, the Racingmen are back in 6th place, just ahead of... Bordeaux.All the results on the National Rugby League website
As the name suggests, there are 14 teams in the Top 14. Each team plays each other in a two-legged format, so there are 26 matchdays (13*2).How do the TOP 14 rankings work?A win earns 4 points, a draw 2 points for each team and a defeat 0 points. So far, it's easy to understand, which is why bonus points have been added, otherwise it would be too simple.The attacking bonus:A team that scores three tries more than its opponent is rewarded with an attacking bonus. This bonus gives you an extra point in the standings.A victory with an attacking bonus therefore earns the winning team 5 points (4+1).The defensive bonus:For the losing team, a defensive bonus point has been introduced. To earn this point, you must lose by a margin of 5 points or less. This defensive bonus point allows the beaten team to gain 1 point in the standings.Summary of TOP 14 points :Win: 4 pointsDraw: 2 pointsLoss: 0 pointOffensive bonus: 1 additional pointDefensive bonus: 1 pointCan the same team get the offensive and defensive bonuses in a match?The answer is YES. It is rare but a team can get the offensive bonus while losing the match. If, on top of that, they lose by 5 points or less, they also get a defensive bonus. This would give the team 2 points in the standings (1+1).Example: Clermont lost to Toulon 19-21.Clermont scored 3 tries, 2 of which were converted, and Toulon scored 7 penalties.In this case, Toulon pockets the 4 points for victory, while Clermont pockets 2 points with the offensive bonus (3 more tries than the opponent) and defensive bonus (defeat by 5 points or less).Is the team finishing 1st in the standings after 26 rounds the direct champion?The answer is NO, because once again that would be too easy.After the regular phase, there is a final phase. What's incredible about the TOP 14 is that the team finishing in 6th place can be champions - crazy, isn't it?The first 2 teams in the ranking qualify for the semi-finals.The 3rd-placed team plays the 6th-placed team at home in a play-off.The 4th-placed team plays the 5th-placed team at home in a play-off.The winners of the play-offs play the top two teams in the semi-finals at a venue scheduled at the start of the season (Bordeaux for the 2023-2024 season).The winners of the semi-finals meet in the final at the Stade de France to decide the season's champion (the final will exceptionally be played in Marseille in 2024 in preparation for the Olympic Games).Blog RCT - Example of the final phaseWhat's happening at the bottom of the table?The team ranked 14th and last is relegated to Pro D2 (2nd division).The team ranked 13th plays an accession play-off match against the loser of the Pro D2 final. The match takes place at the home of the Pro D2 member and the winner of this match either stays in or moves up to the Top 14.
Come and discover the 15 reasons why you'll have an unforgettable experience alongside Louis Picamoles, legend of the XV de France:1. His expertise in the blue jerseyBecause with 82 caps, he's one of the most experienced players in the history of the XV de France. Only 9 of them have done better in the colours of the Rooster. So when it comes to a match with the French national team... he knows what he's talking about!2. His dressing room secretsHe played with 23 players in the France squad. So even though what happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room... he might still have some confidential files on his former teammates to share with you. 3. His memories against ItalyBecause he once lost a game to Italy. Yes, it happens even to the best. So he'll know perfectly well what pitfalls to avoid for the French XV. And why you should always be wary of the Squadra Azzura.4. The number 1000Because even though he has nothing to do with it, Louis Picamoles is international number 1000. And it's quite a feather in his cap.5. The title of bossBecause he probably played for your favourite club. Montpellier, Toulouse, Bordeaux, he's shone just about everywhere. And has always won unanimous praise. In fact, he's worn the armband almost everywhere.6. His nickname "King LouisLadies and Gentlemen: spend some time with one of the few Frenchmen to have played outside the Top 14. The third row was one of the major players in the English championship with Northampton. With the Saints, he became "King Louis", patron saint of our neighbours.7. His legendary recordBecause he's won everything. Or almost everything. Winner of the French Championship, the Champion's Cup and the Challenge Cup, the only trophy missing is the William Webb Ellis Cup. But he was a finalist in 2011...8. His travel logBecause he played in the World Cup. Three times. On 3 different continents. Experience can't be given away, but sometimes it can be told.9. The MHR Fantastic 4Louis doesn't have any superpowers, but he has inherited a super nickname. Along with his Montpellier mates Fulgence Ouedraogo, François Trinh-Duc and Julien Tomas, they embody the revival of the MHR. Young, handsome and talented, they are Montpellier's Fantastic 4. So Louis, what's it like to be a superhero?10. His friendsBecause what he misses in rugby are his friends. Just the thing: you're going to spend the evening with him! The start of a beautiful friendship?11. Its solidityHaving a friend who's 1.92m tall and weighs 118kg is reassuring. But that's no reason to look out for your neighbours in the stands!12. Its 2 big "dolphinsBecause you're about to spend some time with one of the most powerful players in the world. His former team-mate Sébastien Kuzbik used to say of him, "You tackle him at the top, you knock yourself out, you tackle him at the bottom, you knock yourself out. Nobody wanted to tackle him with his two big dolphins (thighs)". Do you like cetaceans?13. Its festivitiesBecause he was one of the players who imposed Freed From Desire in the dressing rooms of the French national team. Then after the French rugby team's victories. And football. And any sport. FREDDD FROMMM DESSSIRREEE! LA LA LA LALALA LA ! 14. His cheeseBecause you can talk goat milking and whey. Louis Picamoles is trying to launch a farm specialising in organic goat's cheese. A passionate profession.15. His acting careerLouis may have starred in a film, but it's his cousin Quitterie Picamoles' career that you should be talking about. As the former third row says so well, "there's more to life than rugby". There's art too.
Just hearing the name of this archipelago immediately plunges you into an irrational world. The Fiji Islands. An invitation to travel, to dream, but also to fear. The rugby gods were probably born on these islands at the end of the world. And if this country is lost in the middle of the Pacific, there is nothing peaceful about the players who are born there. Perhaps the greatest mystery lies in this curious and insoluble equation: how can a country as populous as the city of Marseille, 750km from its nearest neighbour and more than 4,000km from Australia, produce so many talented players over such a long period of time? Squaring the circle in the land of ovalie.Today, 39 Fijian players play in the Top 14. Over the years, some have passed through the league like comets. Others have shone so brightly that they have made a lasting mark on the rich history of our championship. Focus on 4 Fijian stars who have shone in the French championship.Emori Bolo Bolo, the pioneer Emori Bolo Bolo was the first Fijian player to discover and, more importantly, win the championship. A player as devastating on the pitch as he is gentle off it. To paint a portrait of this atypical player, we turn to Denis Charvet, the man who discovered him and brought him to France. The former player was then coach of the backs at Stade Français. A club that had just climbed back into the Top 14. Denis Charvet - Rugbyrama"It's a crazy story: I was invited with the Babas for a tournament in Asia. I was travelling with Jean-Pierre Rives, Serge Kampfs and everyone else. We were in Hong Kong, I was watching the matches, and there I saw a player who crossed the pitch with every ball. Nobody knew him. But he was a monster. After the games, I bumped into him in the stands. I had a chat with him and said "with your talent, you should come to France". He seemed interested and gave me his number. When I got home, I immediately spoke to Bernard Laporte, the coach of Stade Français. Bernard had never seen him play in his life. But I told him, "Bernard, he's an extraterrestrial". So he trusted me. And he called him. The funny thing was, we called him, we managed to get hold of him, we got him to come to Paris. And then the most amazing thing happened: I found myself in the office with Max Guazzini, the club president. But Max asked me to come with him to NRJ because he spoke two words of English. He tells me 'how much he wants'. But I don't know anything about it. We don't know what he's worth, I've seen him play at 7s... I was the intermediary but I had no real idea what he was worth. I asked him how much he wanted. Then we signed and he arrived at Stade Français. A few months later, he scored the decisive try in the final of the French championship. The story is beautiful too, because this guy was pure Fijian. He was a gentle, modest man. It was difficult to really talk to him, but he was very endearing. And then on the pitch, he was ultra physical. He was the Fijian Jonah Lomu. He was very fast. He had everything. But still, on the wing, one side was Christophe Dominici and the other was Bolobolo. Physically, they weren't the same (laughs). I admit that what I missed was seeing him play 7s. He did what he wanted. It was a shock. Strangely enough, I wonder how this guy wasn't spotted before. How he didn't sign elsewhere. He was a cut above the rest. Today, you could compare him to Raka."IDENTITY CARD OF EMERI BOLOBOLOFull name: unknownHeight: 1m90Weight: 108 kilosClubs : Stade FrançaisSélections : Fidji 7-a-sideTitles : 1998 French Top 14 champion (Stade Français)Napolioni Nalaga, the islands buldozer "Napo" shook up the Top 14. His devastating charges and powerful style wreaked havoc for almost 10 years. With ASM Clermont, he reached the top of the league and the European peaks. So who better to talk about him than his alter-ego at Les Jaunards, Julien Malzieu. The French international remembers this fantastic player for you.Julien Malzieu, former Clermont and French national team player on Napoleoni Nalaga: Julien Malzieu - Rugbyrama"Napolioni Nalaga... The first time I met him, I think it was when he came up to train with the pros. But I'd already heard of him, because my brother had played with him with the Espoirs. He told me, "Be careful, he's a monster". In his first game with them, he scored 4 tries and crossed the field I don't know how many times. As we often say in rugby, "Napo" was an animal. Physically, he wasn't impressive. He wasn't a muscular player, he wasn't drawn like others, but the arms, the thighs, the calves, the back: everything was huge. He was monstrous. At the time, he weighed what? 105-107 kilos. But the funny thing was, he was a bit of an anti-Fijian. But be warned: he was a fake slow. His qualities were also support and speed. But it's true that his main weapon was his power. He specialized in beating people up (laughs). Because he was so big and bulky, it was very difficult to defend against him. If you caught him at the bottom, he'd dig you in. And if you caught him at the top, he'd give you an out-of-this-world racket. I have an image: in 2009, between two matches in the Six Nations Tournament, I went to Dubai to help out France 7s. Thierry Janeczek, the coach, knew that I didn't have the cash register like when I played with them. So at the start of the tournament, he kindly told me, "I'll put you on the wing, so you'll have less ground to cover". Only, we were up against Fiji and I found myself up against Napolioni Nalaga. I find myself defending against him. He comes in throwing. I'm not the best defender in the world, so I wait and wait... until contact. And then he puts the palm of his hand in my sternum. And without laughing, I take a shotgun blast in the chest. He's knocked me out. I fall to the ground and roll. Horrible... My other memory is from 2008, I think. The French team was playing the Pacific Islanders. And after 15 minutes, he missed his tackle and tore Jean-Bapstiste Elissalde's head off. He gets a red card. The last image that comes to mind when I think of him is a French Championship semi-final against Perpignan. That was in 2007. That day, we played a good match. Napo breaks through the first curtain. Nicolas Laharrague tried desperately to get back on him, and he made a huge racket. Laharrague goes from 25km/h to 0 km/h in half a second. He hit a wall. I remember that action because it was an important match. But stuff like that, Napo has done it dozens, hundreds of times."Identity card of Napolioni Nalaga :Full name : Napolioni Vonowale NalagaHeight : 1m91Weight : 109 kilosClubs : Clermont, LyonSélections :Titles : 2010 French Top 14 champion (Clermont), 2016 French ProD2 champion (Lyon) Ma Vidéo MP4 Votre navigateur ne prend pas en charge la lecture de la vidéo. Rupeni Caucaunibuca, the raw diamonds He is perhaps the greatest Fijian of all time. Those who have played against him almost always refer to him as the greatest player they have ever come across. And those who have played with him do so every time. Rupeni Caucaunibuca, the genius, the nugget, the greatest. When he felt like it... A look back at his arrival and explosion in France with the man who was to serve as his captain and sometimes chaperone, Luc Lafforgue, SU Agen's other winger.Luc Lafforgue, former Agen player (1998-2009) on Rupeni Caucaunibuca : Luc Lafforgue - Rugbyrama"The first memory I have, I think it's the same memory as everyone else. He played against France in the World Cup. And we already knew he was a bomb. So when he arrived in Agen, he was stronger. Because a few months had gone by, he wasn't the most serious about his lifestyle and he'd put on a few kilos. But then a magician arrived. A genius. A guy who could do it all. Technique, speed, power: he was an extraterrestrial. To be honest, I've played rugby for a long time, and I've known some great players. But Rups was the best player I ever played with. He knew how to do everything. He could electrocute you on a percussion or drop you a metre away and you wouldn't touch him. It was just mind-blowing. Truly, a magician. Today, we'd call it the "X factor". But back then, it was simple: nobody could stop him. If he decided to score, he scored. I've known Nalaga, Bobo, brilliant finishers. But Rupeni wasn't just a finisher you put in the box. He was also a creator. He could try things out for himself. There were several times at half-time when we'd say to him: "Rups, you've got to help us", and in three or four balls, he'd win it all. Even we sometimes became spectators of what he was doing. Let me tell you, I realized that I was dealing with an extraordinary player, because he filled the stadium all by himself. Frankly, 50% of the stadium came to see SUA, and 50% came to see Caucaunibuca. He was capable of anything. I saw him cross the field holding the ball in one hand, I saw him run just a little faster than the fastest player in front, looking him in the eye to taunt him. Afterwards, I know that for the club, it was also a headache. Because for some training sessions, we had to fetch him from his home. Because when he went on vacation to Fiji, he'd come back 15 days late and 10 kilos overweight... Sylvain Mirande and I were in charge of looking after him in Agen. He was a great player, but he wasn't really adapted to European life, and it was quite difficult at times. You know, when at the end of the second series of 30/30 on a physical training session, he was walking... pffff. But he was so much better. He was winning games for us. So what do you want to say to him? I remember, against Clermont: he got inside the 22m, accelerated, hooked, re-accelerated, had 4 guys on his ass, and took them off to score all by himself... There was everything in that try: power, technique, speed. And then another match, against Toulon. It was awful, in the fog. We told him "Rups, come on, get us out of here". And he scored 1 or 2 tries. When he felt like it, he crossed the field. He's the Fijian par excellence: ultra-talented, but the laziest of them all (laughs). My funniest memory is the time Sylvain and I tried to get him on the phone in his village in Fiji to ask him to come home. And frankly, we got the whole village before we got him (laughs). But Laurent Lubrano, the General Manager, had to go and get him there. And getting there was hell. Finally, Rokocoko said he was the best of all the players he'd come across. And even at 130 plates (130 kilos NDLR) in Toulouse, everyone was laughing at him because he wasn't making any progress. But I watched the matches again: when Stade Toulousain won the title in 2011 and 2012, he was always the best player on the pitch."Identity card of Rupeni CaucaunibucaFull name : Rupeni CaucaunibucaHeight : 1m81Weight : 110 kilosClubs : Agen, ToulouseSélections : 8 sélections, 10 tries.Titles : French Top 14 champion 2011 and 2012 (Toulouse), French ProD2 champion 2010 (Agen) Ma Vidéo MP4 Votre navigateur ne prend pas en charge la lecture de la vidéo. Sireli Bobo, the dean tightrope walkerAt over 40 years of age, he continued to abuse his opponents and thrill the stands. Sireli Bobo is a role model. An example of seriousness, hard work and longevity. But before being a wise old man and a spiritual guide, the winger was first and foremost the most elegant and fastest player in the Top 14. At Biarritz, he revealed himself and dazzled the championship with his class. Alongside him was a player who was to feed the Fijian glutton: Julien Dupuy. The scrum-half delves into his memories for you.Julien Dupuy, Biarritz and France team player, on Sireli Bobo: Julien Dupuy - L'Équipe"The first time I met him, frankly? I can't remember. On the other hand, I remember the first training session very well. Honestly, there was no other like him. Physically, he was lean, tall and slender. But it was mainly his speed. He was a sight to behold. I don't remember anything in particular. But as soon as he had the field, he was going at 10,000 an hour. To tell you the truth, we even had game launches made just to make him shine. We had moves to make him crunch (laughs). And then I also remember the physical sessions, the 10/10 and 20/20, we'd start off at a steady pace so as not to burn out. But for the first 10 metres, he'd take 4 steps while you'd take 20. And the rest, he did by walking. It was amazing. After that, he was always a free spirit in the group. We had to protect him a bit too. No, because when you take two hooks, three hooks, an overhang... well, after a while, he could take an opponent's knees behind his back in a ruck. And you have to remember that back then it wasn't exactly easy for him. There weren't as many Fijian players in the league. He did have a few evenings with Rupeni Caucaunibuca, but it wasn't the same era.Let's say I've come across 3 phenomena in my career. Alesana Tuilagi, Waisea Nayacalevu and Sireli Bobo. What's the difference between him and Waisea? I'd say it wasn't the same era. It's difficult to compare. But Waisea was capable of creating space for himself from any ball, while Bobo, given the slightest space, would break through to score. I can assure you: there weren't many guys who slept well the night before playing against Sireli Bobo. Because as I said, he was dry, sharp and rarely injured. And then you had to catch him... I'm not surprised to have seen him play until he was 42. Maybe back then, there was less fighting when you played on the wing. Maybe he wasn't the best defender in the world. But we forgive him. In fact, we forgive everyone. It's true that the try against Munster cost us a title. But it's more a problem of communication, not just a problem with Sireli. It's not just about him. So yes, he was an immense talent. But I think we forgive everyone. Even those who weren't as talented as he was. IDENTITY CARD OF SIRELI BOBOFull name : Isireli BoboHeight : 1m91Weight : 99 kilosClubs : Biarritz, Racing, La Rochelle, Toulon, PauSélections : 19 sélections, 11 triesTitles : French Top 14 champion in 2006 (Biarritz), French ProD2 champion in 2009 (Racing-Métro) Ma Vidéo MP4 Votre navigateur ne prend pas en charge la lecture de la vidéo. At the World Cup, Fiji will be in Pool C. They will face Wales (10 September), Australia (17 September), Georgia (30 September) and Portugal (8 October).LP invites you to play a game: who are the best Fijians in the history of the championship? It's up to you! And here's ours:The XV of the Fijians in the LP Top 14 :Ravai - Matavesi - SauloNakarawa - QovuBotia - Koyamaibole - QeraSerevi - Bai Nalaga - Tuisova - Radradra - Nadolo Talebula
Broke James' drop-goal, the most beautiful rugby memory I've been asked what my fondest rugby memory is. And I'm sure most of them will name a match. For me, it's a gesture. And the worst thing is that, in the end, my team still lost.That was in 2016. Top 14 semi-final in Rennes. On paper, my Clermont is perhaps the most exciting version of history. And even though Nalaga has left, what a squad. Stars galore, kids from the club, old hands, young hopefuls. The squad is so dense that some players who have been indisputable for years have lost their place. Such is the case with Brock James, the fly-half. Until now, he was untouchable. Unstoppable. But for the first time in 10 years, he is no longer ASM's starting fly-half. And frankly, who can blame the coach? Instead, a very talented young Frenchman has made his mark: Camille Lopez. And it's he, in particular, who has given my lads the second-best attack in France.But on the other side of the pitch, Brittany is also up against an armada. The Racing of Dan Carter, Rokocoko, Szarzewski, Dulin and Yannick Nyanga. It's simple: on the pitch this afternoon, of the 30 first-teamers, they are all internationals. Or will become so. It's star wars.The match was, as expected, very tense and close. Damien Chouly and Wesley Fofana score a try for Clermont. Joe Rokocoko and Johannes Goosen scored for Racing. In the 68th minute of the match, our new playmaker makes way for Brock James. It's funny, but I've always liked this Australian player. Probably because he's got mad talent. Or maybe it's because he's a normal-looking guy in the middle of the monsters. A normal guy who plays rugby. Or maybe it's because of his mittens, which he wears even when the weather's great. I don't really know. And then I've met him a few times, and he's a real nice guy. That doesn't explain everything, but it doesn't spoil anything.After 80 minutes of bitter fighting, regulation time ended in a draw. Then it was time for extra time. Everyone is tired. Even us in the stands are starting to get sore throats, hands and hearts. It's crazy to get into such a state. It must be passion that makes us travel 9 hours by bus to experience moments like this.And in this extra time, a gesture from elsewhere. Just as we had the ball away from the Racing in-goal, the ball came out of a ruck. Brock James takes the ball. The defence didn't go up. And, with a masterly drop-kick from over 50 metres out, in incredible silence, he catapults the ball upwards in slow motion. And it went between the posts. A real shotgun blast. The stadium could have been 20 metres further away and he would probably still have passed. And then it explodes! We're in the final, that's for sure!Only Racing had a lucky star that day. Kruger, a giant, intercepted the ball and gave it to Juan Imhoff. That run to the end zone still hurts a bit. Because, in hindsight, it gave Racing victory. A place in the final. And the title. But above all, that day was Brock James' last match with Clermont. His time in Auvergne was marked by a title, the first in history. And that drop-goal from somewhere else left a lasting impression on my memory.Testimonial from Damien Chouly, former captain of ASM ClermontHere's what former Clermont captain Damien Chouly had to say. He won 46 caps for "Les Bleus" and was French champion with Clermont and Perpignan.That day, he played the full 100 minutes of the match between Clermont and Racing. And he recounts:"I remember it very well. Because I'd already organised everything to go to Barcelona (laughs). I especially remember the cruel outcome of that match. We lose, we come back, we're leading... And then that drop goal. We were 6 points ahead. And then that match, especially the extra time: a 100-minute match. And at the end, that interception for offside... It was crazy. In a match like that, it's obviously very hard physically. But mentally it's even worse. You never give up. And when we're +6, we try to keep the pressure on Racing. I remember it well: there's this clearance that doesn't go into touch. We get the ball back in their half and we play. Then we intercepted a pass, but we didn't know how. After Juan Imhoff's try, we knew that Dan Carter wasn't going to miss the conversion. Damien Chouly - WikipediaWhat do I remember? The fatigue and mental wear and tear of this match. But I have to admit that when Brock passes that drop-goal, yes, I can see us winning. He made a fantastic entrance. He brings serenity and control. At ASM, Brock is the symbol of Clermont's best years. In a way, he's the player who ensured the club's revival. Along with coach Vern Cotter. And for 10 years, he ran the show. He brought his style of play to Clermont, which was recognised as being the most open and spectacular. He was a quiet but determined guy. He was quite precise in what he expected from the game and from others. He ran the game like a boss. Off the pitch, he was adorable. But on the pitch, he grumbled a lot. Above all, Brock was intelligent and demanding. That's why he was so consistent, particularly in his footwork. On that day, his kick was perfect. It's 40 metres out, a little off the mark. When the drop kick goes in, you know it's going to go in. But you wait and wait. And it goes over the top of the posts! He could have kicked even further.I have to admit that even today it's one of those games that's still hard to digest. Because the scenario is cruel, and because there's still the question of the last kick. And given the effort it takes to get to the semi-finals of the championship, given the commitment of an entire club, of all the players... Frankly, by the end of the match, everything was coming together. We knew it was Brock James' last game. But above all it was a collective disappointment. A few players were leaving. And the year before, we'd just lost two finals in the Top 14 and the Champions Cup. We really wanted to finish on a high note. And playing in Barcelona, at the Camp Nou, was a huge opportunity. It comes along once in a lifetime. Even today, there are only two clubs who can say they played there.
A look back at the TOP 14 semi-finals in San SebastianToulouse on top!In the Basque country, it was first Toulouse who easily brushed aside Racing.A match in the shape of a demonstration (or punishment...): 41-14, five tries, and a rare feeling of power.Stade Toulousain are back in the final, 2 years after their last league title. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TOP 14 Rugby (English) (@top14rugby.en) La Rochelle on course for a doubleOn the other side of the Atlantic, La Rochelle got the better of their Bordeaux neighbours. In a stadium transformed into an oven, the Maritimes dominated the UBB by a narrow 24-13 margin. But, paradoxically, the reigning European champions never doubted. Probably because their defence kept the Girondins at bay.In the final, the two best teams of the regular season met.Which of La Rochelle or Toulouse will inscribe their name on the Brennus? And who will go down in the history of French rugby? View this post on Instagram A post shared by TOP 14 Rugby (English) (@top14rugby.en) The answer is this Saturday, 9pm, at the Stade de France.
THE SOUTH-WEST IS STRONG AT HOMEIn the opening match of the day, Stade Toulousain gave themselves a scare but came out on top in a thrilling match against USAP with an impressive scoreline of 43-34!Castres Olympique clearly dominated Oyonnax (39-11), taking the offensive bonus point.Section Paloise confirmed their victory over Toulouse by beating neighbours Bordeaux 20-11.Finally, La Rochelle gave themselves a (very) scare against Aviron Bayonnais, but a last-minute penalty from Hugo Reus allowed the Maritimes to finally get their season off to a flying start! (18-15) STADE FRANÇAIS AND CLERMONT WIN AWAY FROM HOMEThe Parisians put in THE performance of the day with a 32-36 win away to Lyon. The win sees the men from the capital take their place on the TOP 14 throne.ASM, for their part, emerged victorious from their clash with Montpellier (17-20), plunging the Cistes a little further into crisis, 13th in the standings... TOULON-RACING, THE MATCH OF THE WEEKENDOn the hour mark, Toulon were cruising to a comfortable win in front of their home crowd, leading 31-7. However, Racing were resilient and, with a brace from their new recruit Henry Arundell and another from Thomas Laclayat, came back to within 5 points (31-26). There were still 10 minutes to play. Unfortunately for the Francilians, Toulon held firm and avoided conceding the comeback of the year.Victory for the RCT 31-26 and a deserved defensive bonus for the Ciels et Blancs.
LegendrayPlays is highlighting the "Fan Days" to be held on the weekend of 18 November, with a number of derbies on the programme. Prestigious fixtures such as the Paris derby between Stade Français and Racing, the South-West derbies with a mouth-watering La Rochelle-Bordeaux and Castres-Toulouse. 6 derbies in all, yes 6 derbies, Clermont-Toulon not being considered as such.So let's take a look back at the best moments of these derbies, which have always attracted us, as much for the pride of defending the colours of your home town as for the pride of winning against your worst enemy, your neighbour.Stade Français - Racing, a vital derbyThe derby that has all rugby fans on the edge of their seats is the one involving the Parisians. What else but this legendary clash between these two big clubs. Against Racing in the 2018-19 season, Gaël Fickou used all his speed to score the first try of the match in the corner. At the time, Fickou was a Parisian, but now he plays for Racing - what a turnaround! What better way to make this derby electric? And you, Parisian or Racingman? Ma Vidéo MP4 Votre navigateur ne prend pas en charge la lecture de la vidéo. Bayonne-Pau, 64 in the spotlightThe derby of 64, the derby of celebration, the derby of song, the derby of enthusiasm with that famous 'Peña Baiona'. Facing the Palaise section in the 2005-06 edition, Richard Dourthe, the man with 31 caps for the blue jersey, showed us all his technique and skill in this penalty. Will you be singing Peña Baiona during this match? Ma Vidéo MP4 Votre navigateur ne prend pas en charge la lecture de la vidéo. Perpignan-Montpellier, the Mediterranean duelThe duel of the southerners, the duel of the fine weather. Catalans and Montpellier will meet this weekend, November 18, to defend their colours. François Trinh-Duc, a former Montpellier player who has worn the blue jersey 66 times, slammed home a marvellous drop-kick against Perpignan in the 2013-2014 season. A footwork worthy of the greatest. Are you more into beach or rugby? Ma Vidéo MP4 Votre navigateur ne prend pas en charge la lecture de la vidéo. Castres-Toulouse, the clash of the Occitanie regionIt's THE biggest derby on paper! Castres, French champions in 2013 and 2018 and finalists in 2021-2022, face Toulouse, champions in 2019, 2021 and 2023. A duel with the allure of the finals at Pierre Fabre. Romain Ntamack, 24 years old and already 36 caps for the French team, showed us all his running qualities to score a wonderful try in the TOP 14 semi-final. So, Team Tarn or Team Haute-Garonne? Ma Vidéo MP4 Votre navigateur ne prend pas en charge la lecture de la vidéo. La Rochelle-Bordeaux, the Atlantic encounterAh, the Atlantic coast with its stormy seas, just like this derby. It's a match we're all looking forward to at Marcel Deflandre, which will obviously be sold out as always! It's also a match with the feel of the final stages, like last year's semi-final. We're expecting a high-voltage match. Ask Ihaia West when he had to kick the winning penalty in Bordeaux, 2 years ago, if he didn't feel the pressure? So, Yellow and Black or Red and White? Ma Vidéo MP4 Votre navigateur ne prend pas en charge la lecture de la vidéo. Oyonnax-Lyon, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes classicThe least exciting derby on paper, or at least on the surface, because in the stands it's no laughing matter! Lyon fans are ready to take on their neighbours in this match-up on day 7 of the Top 14. The two teams have played more times in Pro D2 than in Top 14! Benjamin Urdapilleta, the driving force behind Oyonnax's revival, concludes a sumptuous move by his team in the 2014-2015 edition. Which team do you prefer? Ma Vidéo MP4 Votre navigateur ne prend pas en charge la lecture de la vidéo. With all these superb derbies, which one(s) will you be watching?
LegendaryPlays is showcasing a selection of 34 players who play or have played in the world's biggest league: the Top 14. The second thing all these players have in common is that they have all been selected for the most legendary and eagerly awaited of competitions, the Rugby World Cup. Toulouse, Toulon, Clermont, Racing, La Rochelle, relive with us the best actions of the last 10 Top 14 seasons, in this tribute collection to the 2023 World Cup.Supplier of the world's best players, this collection will enable you to discover all the biggest names in our wonderful championship.Antoine Dupont, the Minister of the InteriorAgainst Union-Bordeaux-Bègles on the 24th day of the 2022-23 championship, Antoine lived up to his nickname of "Minister of the Interior", racing between the posts after a run worthy of his physical qualities. Number 9 and captain of Les Bleus during this World Cup, Dupont will undoubtedly be the man to watch during this World Cup. Let's hope for similar combinations in the World Cup... Cheslin Kolbe, the South African firebrandAgainst Pau, Kolbe was at the end of an exceptional move from the Toulouse try-line. His phenomenal speed enabled him to complete this sensational move. Cheslin is one of the best wingers in the world and will be the attraction of this World Cup. A world champion with the Springboks in 2019, the former Toulouse man is hoping to repeat his success of 4 years ago. His opponents in defence will have plenty to worry about during this competition. Ma Vidéo MP4 Votre navigateur ne prend pas en charge la lecture de la vidéo. Josua Tuisova, the Fijian bombAgainst Perpignan four years ago, Tuisova was at the end of a superb team move. His speed and extraordinary power have always been his major assets during his career. 1m80 for 113 kilos, yes, you read that right, can the super-powerful Fijian help his team qualify for the quarter-finals? Faced with Australia and Wales, will Fiji be able to spring a surprise? Ma Vidéo MP4 Votre navigateur ne prend pas en charge la lecture de la vidéo. Damian Penaud, the serial scorer for "Les Bleus"Against Montpellier in 2019, Damian ran for almost 100 metres to score a typical try. Fast and athletic, Penaud showed his full physical range in this try. With 29 tries to his name already under his belt, Damian Penaud will obviously be the centre of attention. Will the new Bordeaux player help France lift the Webb Ellis Trophy for the first time? We ALL hope so. Ma Vidéo MP4 Votre navigateur ne prend pas en charge la lecture de la vidéo. Santiago Chocobares, el fenómeno argentinoIn the 2022-23 Top 14 final, Chocobares scored the first try of the match after a frantic run to give his team a clear advantage, and they went on to become champions. The Stade Toulousain three-quarter centre will be enjoying his first World Cup in a Pumas shirt, and will be the main focal point of the Argentinian team. During this World Cup, will he be able to repeat this feat and enable his team to follow in the footsteps of their footballing counterparts? Ma Vidéo MP4 Votre navigateur ne prend pas en charge la lecture de la vidéo. You will be able to find the whole of this collection, including major players of our championship:Cobus Reinach : MHR (South Africa)Eben Etzebeth : RCT (South Africa)Jack Willis : Stade Toulousain (England)Facundo Isa : RCT (Argentina)Juan Cruz Mallia : Stade toulousain (Argentina)Richie Arnold : Stade Toulousain (Australia)Nic White : MHR (Australia)Richie Gray : Stade Toulousain (Scotland)Levani Botia : La Rochelle (Fiji)Waisea Nayacalevu: Stade Français (Fiji)Matthieu Jalibert: UBB (France)Konstantine Mikautadze: MHR (Georgia)Beka Saginadze: LOU Rugby (Georgia)Davit Niniashvili: LOU Rugby (Georgia)Jonathan Sexton: Racing 92 (Ireland)Ange Capuozzo: Stade Toulousain (Italy)Martin Page-Relo: Stade Toulousain (Italy)Kotaro Matsushima: ASM (Japan)PJ Van Lill: Aviron Bayonnais (Namibia)Torsten Van Jaarsveld: Aviron Bayonnais (Namibia)Leigh Halfpenny: RCT (Wales)Dan Biggar: RCT (Wales)Samuel Marques: Section Paloise (Portugal)UJ Seuteni: UBB (Samoa)Duncan Paia'aua: RCT (Samoa)Fritz Lee: ASM (Samoa)Ben Tameifuna: UBB (Tonga)George Moala: ASM (Tonga)Santiago Arata: Castres Olympique (Uruguay) All these players and their actions are available on LegendaryPlays.
The "finishers" is the term constantly used by Les Bleus coach Fabien Galthié to describe his replacements.When announcing a team composition, Fabien Galthié first mentions the starters for the match, before referring to the replacements, or the "finishers" as he likes to call them. So why the name?Fabien Galthié, the coach of Les Bleus, doesn't like the word "replacements" and prefers to use the term "finishers". Indeed, the term "replacements" has a pejorative connotation and suggests that they are only there to replace a player who is injured or out of breath. He's 'only' the second choice because he's not good enough to be a starter. That's what the term 'replacement' suggests, don't you think?On the other hand, the term 'finisher' is much more rewarding for players. A 'finisher' goes out onto the pitch to finish the game, to bring his physical and technical qualities to bear to help his team win. It's an 'impact player' who comes in to knock out his opponent and bring freshness to his squad. And what about you? If you were given the role of finisher in a rugby team instead of substitute, wouldn't that motivate you more to play?So how is this bench of finishers managed?During a match, the coaches have 8 finishers on the bench. So which tactics are adopted, 6-2 or 5-3?6-2" means 6 forwards and only 2 back rows on the bench, whereas 5-3 means 5 forwards and 3 back rows, which is easy to understand, isn't it? On the other hand, it's a dilemma so coveted by rugby coaches, so which solution should you choose?World Rugby PassportToday, coaches tend to recommend the "6-2" technique, as today's rugby is much more frontal and is played particularly up front. Coaches can therefore have a brand new front row (3 players) on the bench and generally 1 second row and 2 third rows. This means that they only have two versatile three-quarters on the bench (who can play in several positions).This is because the three-quarters (back rows) are more athletic and enduring than the forwards, and can therefore endure the 80-minute match more easily.Putting only 5 forwards on the bench could be detrimental in the second half, as the forwards have more difficulty finishing the match than the three-quarters because of their bigger bodies. On average, a forward weighs between 20 and 30 kilos more than a three-quarter - a huge difference, don't you think?