France based players update

Anyone seen any French club action and able to give an update on the many UK players plying their trade there would be appreciated? I know JW got a bang to the head, but how did Armitage, Shaw, Sheridan get on for Toulon? What about the Welsh contingent? Some sort of regular player watch would be most useful to read.

Cheers and hope you are all enjoying the new season.

Haven't seen any of it, huge. What channel shows it?

ESPN

Sheridan was solid but then again he's part of such a powerful scrummaging machine its difficult to pick one forward in toulon. Shaw is used as an impact player there so played 30 minutes in the 2nd half. Steffon Armitage started on the bench but Delon did score a try from a nice counter attach organised by giteau and had an overall good game at fullback.
otherwise good performances from hook, byrne (very solid under high ball) , balshaw and Brew.

How is Brew doing in general. I heard (possibly from you) that he's doing well (my wife went to school with him and his brother).

Shaw's about 50 now so 30 mins is pretty good. Nothing on Jenkins? Or is he injured?

thanks for the updates who cares

Jenkins stayed on the bench so didnt see him play against bordeaux - he did play 30 minutes in the previous game in mont de marsan though (but only saw highlights of this one). Hes clearly behind Sheridan in Laporte picking order.

Brew partnership with Traille and Balshaw is so good, it looks like he's been in biarritz for 10 years. so yes doing very well there and involved in a few tries already. he's the flavour of the month here.

there is also other UK players such as Philips, Hape , kennedy and many others (beattie, hines, bennet etc) that I havent seen in action so far.

Cheers who cares. Appreciate the updates

I keep thinking people are being sarcastically rude to our French friend who's kindly keeping us updated...then I remember his name is whocares

Oh well can only blame myself for that - wasnt inspired the day I set up my account (my old 606 username was even more rubbish) - not sure its possible to change it as well but if it is I like to do it.

Apparently Hook was man of the match in the Perpignan win over Bayonne? Praised for the way he controlled the game(!) and for his place kicking.

Maybe whocares could confirm?? My French is rather rusty - and Google translate throws up some puzzlers;

"With 18 points from James Hook, perfect in his role as patron..." - Le Figaro.

Casartelli wrote:Apparently Hook was man of the match in the Perpignan win over Bayonne? Praised for the way he controlled the game(!) and for his place kicking.

Maybe whocares could confirm?? My French is rather rusty - and Google translate throws up some puzzlers;

"With 18 points from James Hook, perfect in his role as patron..." - Le Figaro.

yep that's right - he wasnt spectacular (he did more in previous games) but did what he had to do against a negative team such as Bayonne ie control the game and score all his penalties. patron means boss basically.

if hook was french he would be our flyhalf without a shadow of a doubt. once he had gametime and confindence, he became essential to perpignan.

Thanks whocares.

whocares wrote:Oh well can only blame myself for that - wasnt inspired the day I set up my account (my old 606 username was even more rubbish) - not sure its possible to change it as well but if it is I like to do it.

If you do want to change, drop me a PM with the new name and I'll put it through for you. Note that once a change is made you will have to log in using the new name

tanks Pete, now I just need to think about a new name!

whocares wrote:

Casartelli wrote:Apparently Hook was man of the match in the Perpignan win over Bayonne? Praised for the way he controlled the game(!) and for his place kicking.

Maybe whocares could confirm?? My French is rather rusty - and Google translate throws up some puzzlers;

"With 18 points from James Hook, perfect in his role as patron..." - Le Figaro.

yep that's right - he wasnt spectacular (he did more in previous games) but did what he had to do against a negative team such as Bayonne ie control the game and score all his penalties. patron means boss basically.

if hook was french he would be our flyhalf without a shadow of a doubt. once he had gametime and confindence, he became essential to perpignan.

Great news

He should be on the bench for the Nov internationals at least, if Priestland doesn't start showing some form then maybe even start!

Top14 5th round has just started but if it was to stop now , the brit of the weekend would be Alastair Strokosh who is currently playing a big part in Perpigan lead against toulouse in barcelona : 34-13 5 tries to 1 with 30 minutes to go. strange game as toulouse is destroying USAP in the scrum but they seem to be very passive in defense. narraway, charteris and hook also playing.
so far this game and montpelier-toulon yday have been quite entertaining.

Excellent cheers WC

Perp ended up beating Toulouse 34-20, a good result given that Toulouse is choc-full of French internationals, Boks and Kiwis.

Here are some highlights of Perp vs. Bayonne, where you get to see Iron Mike get carded for use of the knee (?).

http://www.usap.tv/videos/132/679/4eme-journee-de-top-14-usap-vs-bayonne/

HammerofThunor wrote:ESPN

How would you know? You only watch the Jeff..... Or if you are REALLY bored the LV cup.

ESPN lost the T14 last season. The only English speaking station I know of that shows it is Setanta. You can't get that in England...... Even if you wanted to.

They used to advertise it during the Jeff games. I tried to watch one straight after a premiership game and quickly got board so turned it off. LV is only on sky so don't watch it anymore. I've got a feeling the Welsh homes games may be on S4C so try and catch them when I can.

Thanks for the update on ESPN losing the rights. I know BT have picked them up for future seasons. Not sure when it starts.

gowales wrote:

whocares wrote:

Casartelli wrote:Apparently Hook was man of the match in the Perpignan win over Bayonne? Praised for the way he controlled the game(!) and for his place kicking.

Maybe whocares could confirm?? My French is rather rusty - and Google translate throws up some puzzlers;

"With 18 points from James Hook, perfect in his role as patron..." - Le Figaro.

yep that's right - he wasnt spectacular (he did more in previous games) but did what he had to do against a negative team such as Bayonne ie control the game and score all his penalties. patron means boss basically.

if hook was french he would be our flyhalf without a shadow of a doubt. once he had gametime and confindence, he became essential to perpignan.

Great news

He should be on the bench for the Nov internationals at least, if Priestland doesn't start showing some form then maybe even start!

I guess with Hook not just controlling games but actually 'bossing' them, in a very tough league - and spectators in all corners donning protective headgear whenever Priestland unleashes his right boot, Biggar stuck in a misfiring backline and Stephen Jones now in his fifties - Hook must be the front-runner for the 10 shirt, by some considerable margin.

If Hook can actually boss a game from 10, then yes he should be considered for Wales, but on past experience he has been woefully poor and a liability at 10 at the highest level.

With 1/2p kicking goals from everywhere and Priestland pulling the strings for a very impressive Scarlets, I remain to be convinced that Hook will ever make a test no 10.

Sky channel 799 airs a top 14 highlights programe at 11am every sunday, worth a watch

Great to hear of Brewy doing well. We sure miss our go to man at Rodney Parade. I bet he really is thriving out there and really developing as a player. Probably makes a difference playing for good coaches instead of dopey Darren.

Whats your problem with Darren Risca?

Really pleased to hear about Brew! Looking really good in a tough league. He's come so far from the raw beast we witnessed in his first season at Dave.
A real game breaker, not the defence liability some would mistake his old self for. Shame hes never had a run for Wales whilst others ate given time to settle.

rant over..

Dopey Darren - haha! I've still got some blind optimism for the Dragons!!

thebluesmancometh wrote:Whats your problem with Darren Risca?

I don't rate him anymore. I thought when he first took over, it was brilliant seeing our free flowing rugby. Now I think we look really blunt. Saturday was a good example of how we don't create much. Whilst the players have to hold their hands up and front up (like Brewy used to), there was also a clear indecisiveness to our game where we looked clueless plenty of times. That's coaching (or lack of it). At least in other clubs, you see them executing set plays or even sides like Wales (who get criticised as pretty limited) have a clear game plan. Unfortunately that's 3/4 consecutive league games now where we've been dreadful at home (even our tries against Zebre were generally all counters).

From the (patchy) reports I have read it seems Brew and Hook have started season quite well but Jenkins hasn't had much game time as yet and seems to be behind Sheridan in pecking order at the moment.

Highlights Perpignan vs. Toulouse, & Korean rap song.

http://www.usap.tv/videos/90/685/5eme-journee-de-top14-usap-vs-toulouse/

Worrying that Gethin may be not getting sufficient game-time at the French Galacticos. Since going to France, Phillips, Hook, & Byrne have started every match they've been available for.

Racing have put in a bid to Bath for Olly Barcley with immediate effect.

Could be a good move for Olly who is 30 now would guarantee HC & a big wage packet!

Correct on Olly : thought he was meant to go to the 7s anyway. Racing has 2 flyhalves injured for 3-4 month and hernandez is in the 4N so it was really neccessary (although they current 10 is doing an ok job). does Olly kick penalties as well?

Byrne caught a minor injury so wont play the next 2-3 games

whocares wrote:Correct on Olly : thought he was meant to go to the 7s anyway. Racing has 2 flyhalves injured for 3-4 month and hernandez is in the 4N so it was really neccessary (although they current 10 is doing an ok job). does Olly kick penalties as well?

Byrne caught a minor injury so wont play the next 2-3 games

not sure Olly Barclay (a goal kicking 10/12) has played much 7s. Are you mixing him up with one of the Ollies who does play 7s (Ollie Phillips who was at Stade Francais for a while or Olly Lindsay-Hague)?

yes sorry LT, it must be Olly Phillips from SF...

youngguns6 wrote:Really pleased to hear about Brew! Looking really good in a tough league. He's come so far from the raw beast we witnessed in his first season at Dave.

Not the mention the utter dross he produced at the Blues the season before. Never seen someone drop the ball so much until Bradley came along