Are the wheels falling off at Racing Metro?

First topic message reminder :

Some may remember a similar post of mine.... in this vein with regard to Clermont Auvergne last season.

Racing have spent probably more money on players in the space of little more than a season than any other clubs with the exception of Toulon.  They have brought in players of the caliber of Jonny Sexton, Jamie Roberts, Dan Lydiate, Soane Tonguiha, Marc Andreu and Brian Mujati just in the last season.  This is adding to a team sheet which already included names such as Juan Martin Hernandez, Dimitri Szarzewski and Juan Imhoff.  Jacky Lorenzetti since taking over in 2006 has pumped colossal amounts of money into this club, not just the squad of players but throughout the club as a whole.

Despite this unprecedented level of investment (unprecedented again with the exception of Toulon)  Racing Metro lie 8th in the Top14 and have just been comprehensively hammered by Harlequins, who worryingly... in the context of this result, have also had their struggles this season.  They are now most likely out of the tournament just three matches in and their chances of making the latter stages of the Top14 also look slim.  Not just on account of their current league position but also their incredibly disappointing performances which have an aura of lethargy about them.  Their all star line ups look apathetic and disinterested.  

Jackie Lorenzetti has been one of the main players in the failed attempt to setup a new tournament (RCC).  He has in the space of 6 years taken over a club, pumped huge sums of money into it, been at the forefront of trying to get rid of the HC and ERC along with it and join Europeans rugby's elite with his all star squad and never ending cheque book.  Lorenzetti has failed in just about all of this, thus far at least.  
Which bring me onto the rather alarming statement which has just been made by Racing and Lorenzetti.  They have cancelled plans to play Toulon at France's national rugby stadium - the Stade de France.  The statement claims that they do not consider themselves good enough to play at this stadium as they are not one of rugby's elite.  However, it is said that they have struggled to sell anything close to the 80'000 tickets which would see the stadium filled against current European champions Toulon, this is in spite of a huge marketing effort throughout Paris....and beyond.  Their last match at the Stade de France saw Racing only shift 32'000 tickets leaving the stadium with 50'000 empty seats and that was against Paris rivals Stade Francais so it looks like they have sold even less for the Toulon game.


The statement reads....

"In light of the result against Harlequins on Saturday this has forced us to accept we are not part of the great teams of the moment."  The Stade de France is reserved for such teams and we do not belong there."  

The match against Toulon has now been cancelled and will instead be played at Racing's own rather discreet ground Colombes.  Is Jackie Lorenzetti's grand vision for Racing crumbling?  Will the money and star players eventually begin to tell?  Can we take anything from this with Lorenzetti's other grand vision which is that of the future of European rugby in a new tournament.  Is this guy a bit of a dreamer?

Sorry if this is a bit long

Statement here:

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/racing-metro-harlequins-jonny-seton-1212572-Dec2013/

Seagultaf  - if thats true its pretty worrying given that Racing are in the bottom half of the top14 as well.

nathan wrote:Sexton just looks tired. It was said in the rugby paper that he isn't used to playing week in week out.

I think its a lot more than just being tired. The way Racing plays clearly doesn't suite him

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

nathan wrote:Sexton just looks tired. It was said in the rugby paper that he isn't used to playing week in week out.

I think its a lot more than just being tired. The way Racing plays clearly doesn't suite him

It's not just Sexton. He's one of a number of players who toured with the Lions to be slightly fatigued. Others are suffering from long-term or reoccurring injuries on the back of that tour, so thus far he is lucky. You and some other Anglo's seem to have it in for Sexton this afternoon. Is this the latest attempt to try and justify your Rugby Chumps Cup or do you just fancy another whinge at the Rabo teams?

The Saint wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

nathan wrote:Sexton just looks tired. It was said in the rugby paper that he isn't used to playing week in week out.

I think its a lot more than just being tired. The way Racing plays clearly doesn't suite him

It's not just Sexton. He's one of a number of players who toured with the Lions to be slightly fatigued. Others are suffering from long-term or reoccurring injuries on the back of that tour, so thus far he is lucky. You and some other Anglo's seem to have it in for Sexton this afternoon. Is this the latest attempt to try and justify your Rugby Chumps Cup or do you just fancy another whinge at the Rabo teams?

Eh? i don't get it. Your agreeing he looks tired like a number of other lions players then your saying it's an attempt to justify RCC. Are you also aware LeinsterFan4Life is a supporter of.... well ..... you probably guessed it... Leinster and there for not a "anglo".


On a side note, you seem to have it in for anglo's period.

nathan wrote:

The Saint wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

nathan wrote:Sexton just looks tired. It was said in the rugby paper that he isn't used to playing week in week out.

I think its a lot more than just being tired. The way Racing plays clearly doesn't suite him

It's not just Sexton. He's one of a number of players who toured with the Lions to be slightly fatigued. Others are suffering from long-term or reoccurring injuries on the back of that tour, so thus far he is lucky. You and some other Anglo's seem to have it in for Sexton this afternoon. Is this the latest attempt to try and justify your Rugby Chumps Cup or do you just fancy another whinge at the Rabo teams?

Eh? i don't get it. Your agreeing he looks tired like a number of other lions players then your saying it's an attempt to justify RCC. Are you also aware LeinsterFan4Life is a supporter of.... well ..... you probably guessed it... Leinster and there for not a "anglo".


On a side note, you seem to have it in for anglo's period.

That's all true Saint - what have us "Anglos" done that's so bad? You even supported us this Autumn - has something changed? Or is it more a case of it's me, it's not you...   

stub wrote:

nathan wrote:

The Saint wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

nathan wrote:Sexton just looks tired. It was said in the rugby paper that he isn't used to playing week in week out.

I think its a lot more than just being tired. The way Racing plays clearly doesn't suite him

It's not just Sexton. He's one of a number of players who toured with the Lions to be slightly fatigued. Others are suffering from long-term or reoccurring injuries on the back of that tour, so thus far he is lucky. You and some other Anglo's seem to have it in for Sexton this afternoon. Is this the latest attempt to try and justify your Rugby Chumps Cup or do you just fancy another whinge at the Rabo teams?

Eh? i don't get it. Your agreeing he looks tired like a number of other lions players then your saying it's an attempt to justify RCC. Are you also aware LeinsterFan4Life is a supporter of.... well ..... you probably guessed it... Leinster and there for not a "anglo".


On a side note, you seem to have it in for anglo's period.

That's all true Saint - what have us "Anglos" done that's so bad? You even supported us this Autumn - has something changed? Or is it more  a case of it's me, it's not you...   

Nath I was clearly addressing the comments LF4L responded to. That wasn't so hard to grasp was it? Some Anglo's lately have been commenting how Sexton can't play 'regular rugby'... Jeez, then what the hell has he been doing throughout his illustrious career! I'm giving you a reason for which he might be fatigued. I also stated he was one of a few, cept Sexton seems to be singled out. Stub, I always support England through thick and thin. It's a shame not all of your 'supporters' share The Saints etiquette.  

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Delighted for Quins proper club.

Racing are awful they symbolise everything wrong in rugby. Mercenaries with no pride or passion in the jersey. I'm sure Sexton is feeling homesick.

Sexton is one those mercenaries though, isn't he? No different to anyone else chasing the Euro (not that I blame him).

Sexton is the best advert for the Irish boys to stay at home

I hope SOB and Heaslip are watching

Rumour has it that ROG was thrown out of training last week for being too critical of the team's performance.

Edit: he also comes across in his Examiner article as being really homesick for Munster.

The Saint wrote:

stub wrote:

nathan wrote:

The Saint wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

nathan wrote:Sexton just looks tired. It was said in the rugby paper that he isn't used to playing week in week out.

I think its a lot more than just being tired. The way Racing plays clearly doesn't suite him

It's not just Sexton. He's one of a number of players who toured with the Lions to be slightly fatigued. Others are suffering from long-term or reoccurring injuries on the back of that tour, so thus far he is lucky. You and some other Anglo's seem to have it in for Sexton this afternoon. Is this the latest attempt to try and justify your Rugby Chumps Cup or do you just fancy another whinge at the Rabo teams?

Eh? i don't get it. Your agreeing he looks tired like a number of other lions players then your saying it's an attempt to justify RCC. Are you also aware LeinsterFan4Life is a supporter of.... well ..... you probably guessed it... Leinster and there for not a "anglo".


On a side note, you seem to have it in for anglo's period.

That's all true Saint - what have us "Anglos" done that's so bad? You even supported us this Autumn - has something changed? Or is it more  a case of it's me, it's not you...   

Nath I was clearly addressing the comments LF4L responded to. That wasn't so hard to grasp was it? Some Anglo's lately have been commenting how Sexton can't play 'regular rugby'... Jeez, then what the hell has he been doing throughout his illustrious career! I'm giving you a reason for which he might be fatigued. I also stated he was one of a few, cept Sexton seems to be singled out. Stub, I always support England through thick and thin. It's a shame not all of your 'supporters' share The Saints etiquette.  

Sorry Saint - I was a bit argumentative last night - should never have doubted your impeccable etiquette!   

Is ROG at racing then?

He's their kicking coach yappy.

Oh.

Doing well isn't he.

No he actually isn't Sexton is as bad as ever at kicking

Ha, cunning! And the legend of old metronome O'Gara lives on.

Ah we love him really.

Artful_Dodger wrote:He's their kicking coach yappy.

He is more than just a kicking coach. He is one of 3 coaches at Racing. Also responsible for recruitment!

Seems to be held in high esteem - Laurenzeti & the two Laurents all flew in for his testimonial in Cork - Donal Lenihan was having nightmares when he saw that Simon Zebo (a fluent French speaker) was at their table!

Can't blame him for laying into Racing after that first match performance!

I don't know why people are singling out Sexton. He did at least look like he gived a shoite in both games, unlike so many of his colleagues.

The lack of commitment in tackling Charlie Walker en route to his try was telling. Lydiate, a supposed 'chopper' and a couple of others,were fended off far too easily.

Castres (one of the smaller towns to have a T14 side) showed miles more spirit under Labit and Travers. Is it playing in Paris that is the problem? SF have not set the world alight either.

Hound - I've been saying this all season.  Most of those Racing player couldn't give a rats ass about the club.  Some will say what Lorenzetti has done at Racing worked for Toulon.  But for every Toulon there is a Brive, Bayonne and now Racing where it has utterly failed simply because paying these players a ridiculous amount does not mean they can invest in the spirit and history of a club.  In Racing's case this is particularly pertinent as their is incredibly little history or spirit simply because in the space of six season they have gone from division 2 to trying to be one of the European rugby aristocracy and along the way they've completely lost sight of the fact that the other clubs in the aristocracy have a wealth of history, tradition and rugby sentiment accumulated over many years.  Racing on the other hand are reduced to massive marketing campaigns around Paris just to get a stadium 1/3 full against the European champions.  Top clubs don't need that.

Cyril wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Delighted for Quins proper club.

Racing are awful they symbolise everything wrong in rugby. Mercenaries with no pride or passion in the jersey. I'm sure Sexton is feeling homesick.

Sexton is one those mercenaries though, isn't he? No different to anyone else chasing the Euro (not that I blame him).

Pretty much.

Having said that, Sexton is one of a number of players who have won multiple Heineken Cups with Leinster. There really isn't much left for them to achieve with Leinster in European rugby terms, which is why Heaslip and O'Brien might have their heads turned as well. As well as the financial motive there's the motive of a new challenge overseas.

What I hope will tempt those two to stay is the idea of being a part of a successful Ireland team. Sexton has shown that stepping down a level in terms of the quality of team you're playing in and stepping up a level in terms of the physical demands placed on you week after week can adversely affect your international form and selection chances. It's no secret the Top14 are behind us in terms of physically preparing players for peak performances.

Actually its pretty unfair of me to compare Bayonne and Brive to Racing, they do have a wealth of history behind their clubs.  Its just that investment with them has also failed.

The Saint wrote:

stub wrote:

nathan wrote:

The Saint wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

nathan wrote:Sexton just looks tired. It was said in the rugby paper that he isn't used to playing week in week out.

I think its a lot more than just being tired. The way Racing plays clearly doesn't suite him

It's not just Sexton. He's one of a number of players who toured with the Lions to be slightly fatigued. Others are suffering from long-term or reoccurring injuries on the back of that tour, so thus far he is lucky. You and some other Anglo's seem to have it in for Sexton this afternoon. Is this the latest attempt to try and justify your Rugby Chumps Cup or do you just fancy another whinge at the Rabo teams?

Eh? i don't get it. Your agreeing he looks tired like a number of other lions players then your saying it's an attempt to justify RCC. Are you also aware LeinsterFan4Life is a supporter of.... well ..... you probably guessed it... Leinster and there for not a "anglo".


On a side note, you seem to have it in for anglo's period.

That's all true Saint - what have us "Anglos" done that's so bad? You even supported us this Autumn - has something changed? Or is it more  a case of it's me, it's not you...   

Nath I was clearly addressing the comments LF4L responded to. That wasn't so hard to grasp was it? Some Anglo's lately have been commenting how Sexton can't play 'regular rugby'... Jeez, then what the hell has he been doing throughout his illustrious career! I'm giving you a reason for which he might be fatigued. I also stated he was one of a few, cept Sexton seems to be singled out. Stub, I always support England through thick and thin. It's a shame not all of your 'supporters' share The Saints etiquette.  

Think you'll find the Irish coaches were complaining too. Poor little Sexton, more than 2 games in a row and he can't cope. I guess you irish fans forget about the beating you took against the All Blacks in the THIRD test last summer! 60 odd points to nil! Pathetic. Maybe he should switch to football or tennis. It's not as demanding.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Hound - I've been saying this all season.  Most of those Racing player couldn't give a rats ass about the club.  Some will say what Lorenzetti has done at Racing worked for Toulon.  But for every Toulon there is a Brive, Bayonne and now Racing where it has utterly failed simply because paying these players a ridiculous amount does not mean they can invest in the spirit and history of a club.  In Racing's case this is particularly pertinent as their is incredibly little history or spirit simply because in the space of six season they have gone from division 2 to trying to be one of the European rugby aristocracy and along the way they've completely lost sight of the fact that the other clubs in the aristocracy have a wealth of history, tradition and rugby sentiment accumulated over many years.  Racing on the other hand are reduced to massive marketing campaigns around Paris just to get a stadium 1/3 full against the European champions.  Top clubs don't need that.

+1

I read the words the RM players come out with, but far too many don't back it up with performance.

It's that pride in your club/province that we see each year in the HC from the majority of teams.

Some may not be very good at this level, but they try. I've never felt like that about RM.

For all of Toulon's megastar signings, as a collective they are streets ahead of RM in attitude on the pitch.

Yea, Dodger, Racing have a very decent history. Racing is second only to Toulouse in the provision of French internationals.

How so if they were only formed a decade ago and have only been in the Top14 a few seasons?

They are one of the oldest French clubs (Used to be Racing Club de France) just that they combined with Metro about 10 or 12 years ago.

Potted history here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racing_M%C3%A9tro_92

Hmm, thats not Racing Metro 92 though.  Its a bit like saying that the Ospreys can draw on the history and tradition of Neath and Swansea..... they can't.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Hmm, thats not Racing Metro 92 though.  Its a bit like saying that the Ospreys can draw on the history and tradition of Neath and Swansea..... they can't.

on the wiki page, it says they were founded in 1890.

Founded 1890; 123 years ago (Racing Club)
2001; 12 years ago (merged clubs)


They also wear the same blue and white jersey.

Notch wrote:

Cyril wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Delighted for Quins proper club.

Racing are awful they symbolise everything wrong in rugby. Mercenaries with no pride or passion in the jersey. I'm sure Sexton is feeling homesick.

Sexton is one those mercenaries though, isn't he? No different to anyone else chasing the Euro (not that I blame him).

Pretty much.

Having said that, Sexton is one of a number of players who have won multiple Heineken Cups with Leinster. There really isn't much left for them to achieve with Leinster in European rugby terms, which is why Heaslip and O'Brien might have their heads turned as well. As well as the financial motive there's the motive of a new challenge overseas.

What I hope will tempt those two to stay is the idea of being a part of a successful Ireland team. Sexton has shown that stepping down a level in terms of the quality of team you're playing in and stepping up a level in terms of the physical demands placed on you week after week can adversely affect your international form and selection chances. It's no secret the Top14 are behind us in terms of physically preparing players for peak performances.

You are assuming that Top14 clubs think that HC matches are the ones demanding peak performance. I suspect they think home Top14 matches are the most important.

Watching clubs like Racing fall far short amid the attempted forced entry of the businessmen into rugby is like a warm comforting glow for the heart in these troubled times.