Top 14 - Toulon-Racing Metro

Well that was an absolute slaughter -a case of a real team against a collection of individuals who looked like they had never seen each before never mind played with each other. One can only hope that Travers and Labit can sort RM out otherwise it's going to be a long and difficult season. RM with shockingly bad but Toulon looked awesome - Wilkinson didn't just kick his goals but he ran his line superbly. Johnny Sexton must be wondering if really is the best move for him, whatever about the 700k salary he is picking up. He was very poor, kicked badly, never got his line moving and only got the ball when RM were going backwards - a big improvement is going to be needed with young Madigan now nipping at his heels.

One sour note in what was otherwise a clean game, the red cards for Castrogiavanni and one of the RM forwards, who made it clear that he believes he was gouged. No sign yet if RM have cited anybody from Toulon but if so and gouging is proven then expect long long bans. With the sort of power they have at prop its hard to see why Toulon need a pantomime villain like Castro

Toulon were a team of individuals for years. Perhaps the HEC win will have improved them.

The two teams were pretty much even at half time. The second half was a nighmare for the Racing.

So what? It's a new team, players barely know each other and they need time to work together and reach the top. It's a long term project but from here, they can only improve and they will.
Anyway, ANY team would have been beaten by Toulon yesterday, they played fantastically well. They have the strength, the speed, the experience and the confidence, you can already see that their game is more fluid than last year's, it's natural, they all know each other and the game plan better than a year ago. It's a mature team that's going at full speed, best in Europe for sure.
The only minus I see for Toulon is their average age. Are these "old legs" going to be able to run that fast all season? we'll see.
But they are scary, for sure, really dominant.

Score anyone?

41-14 I think.

Yes racing is not going to play fantastic rugby any time soon or be serious contenders for any title this season. You would have to be deluded to think otherwise (probably the case of their owner).
So many new players and coaches cannot create a team after 2 friendlies. They should start doing the basics right as their defense was very poor yesterday. Its going to be a long season for sexton and lydiate although they are young enough to bounce back. Roberts on the other hand... I have doubts about whoever did their signings (the new coaches were not involved in all of them which says a lot).
Agree that Wilco was running his backline very nicely. Smith also and mermoz played some of their beat rugby for some time. Toulon is starting strongly like last year. Come Christmas they should have a 10 points cushion as I dont see anyone threatening them before the playoffs. Toulouse did not fix their problems from the last 2 years now. Clermont is an aging team with real lack of depth in some position and look on the way down (currently losing 23-11 at promoted oyonnax). If anything Montpelier looks like a possible challenger and should progress from last year.

Ouch!

Whocares, I see that Oyonnax (WTF in France are they from?) are hammering Clermont 30-14 with only 5 mins to go right now. Agree that given Toulouse getting beat by Bordeux in round 1 and Clermont by Oyonnax in round 2, the usual challengers to Toulon have big problems - agree Montpellier most likely challenger

One thing that is making a lot of noise is video referees disallowing tries that would have been awarded in a recent past. Happens in most games I watched so far and its quite annoying as you lose a few minutes to find out one pass was slightly forward. I really hope it will improve and that the refs will not call for it all the time.

Hehe while am typing this Oyonnax had a second try disallowed by the video ref. oyonnax is north east of lyon close to switzerland. Small town of 20 thousand souls I believe. Proper rugby heartland though.(similar to bourgouin)

The Neath of French rugby?

Many locals on the Oyonax team? And any potential internationals?

A few locals in the forwards maybe but as all pro teams in france they have close to half of foreigners in their squad. Special mention to the argentinian halfbacks (one was at quins).

Just got round to watching the game.

Firstly, Jonny Wilkinson was at his superb best. Great kicking obviously but also got his backline moving well. Nothing flashy; he just makes the right decisions. Sexton on the other hand seems to be continuing his poor form. Some of his kicking was truly shocking.

Big mistake by Sexton leaving Leinster for this shower.

Wilko and Gitau looked in good nick for Toulon.

Typical french rugby, home sides beating away sides.  Away teams competing but visibly dropping their performance levels once they feel a game get away from them allowing scores to be run up.

Great win for Oyonnax, let's see where they are at Christmas. Racing strike me as a mid table side probably making the playoffs but not threatening much on the road.

What is everyone thinking about the video refereing? Toulon-racing lasted a bit more than 2 hours because of all the time waiting for the video ref to make his call while montpelier got 3 5 tries disallowed for some marginal errors. Not going to favour teams that run the ball for sure.

I think linesmen/ref assistants have been castrated by video ref.  Never see them them give a decision now.

If I was a cynical person, I'd be telling my team to remember where the camera angles are on the field and if you're not sure you can stop the person getting over the line make sure to block the camera view for the grounding.

Referees will always go to TMO as it is their get out of jail card.  None will have the cohonas to make a call, and they will be tarred and feathered if they make the wrong one on review. They can't win.

Where pressure should come on is having the TMO and tv network work better/quicker/more accurately.  You get the impression that it is some huge scramble to pull the clips every time.  There has to be a slicker way to do it.

Refs have clearly lost their mind vis-à-vis the video. The amount of time saved with new scrum rules has been wasted in inept and frustrating video-calling.
Large article in l'équipe about that today.
Apparently there is a serious meeting about it at LNR to have it corrected.
Thank God.

I think we should have a general T14 article. With games being shown on Setanta Ireland and BT Vision plenty of people will see the games and be able to comment.

Plus whocares and desi can provide the inside information on things.