Heartache for Northampton as Bordeaux-Begles secure Champions Cup glory
Northampton suffered Investec Champions Cup final heartache as Bordeaux-Begles claimed an epic 28-20 victory at the Principality Stadium.
Matthieu Jalibert Sport News
Ramos at flyhalf, seven forwards on bench for France v Italy
PARIS : France coach Fabien Galthie restored Thomas Ramos at flyhalf and named seven forwards on the bench for the Six Nations game against Italy in Rome on Sunday after Matthieu Jalibert was ruled out with illness and with Romain Ntamack still suspended.
France rue missed chances after last-gasp defeat by England
LONDON : France were left fuming over missed chances in a dominant first half as they lost 26-25 to England on Saturday in their first away game of the Six Nations.
Six Nations team news: Matthieu Jalibert starts for France, Wales bring in Taulupe Faletau
Matthieu Jalibert will start at out-half for France in Saturday's Six Nations round two trip to England, with head coach Fabien Galthie resisting the urge to move Thomas Ramps or Antoine Dupont out of position.
France team to face England in Six Nations
PARIS : France coach Fabien Galthie on Thursday named the following team to face England in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday:
Fabien Galthie questions red card call while Wales brace for 'huge' Italy game
France made their Six Nations opener look like a canter as they destroyed Wales on Friday but lost Romain Ntamack through a red card, which ruled the flyhalf out of next weekend's clash against England. Fabien Galthie's side rolled over the visitors in a 43-0 drubbing to add to their three victories in last year's autumn series with Antoine Dupont playing chief tormentor in a scintillating first half. "The team is different when Dupont is here. He is the best player in the world and brings energy to all the players with his talent," Gregory Alldritt said. Dupont was back in the Six Nations after skipping last year's championship to prepare for the Olympics before winning the Rugby Sevens gold, and he returned with a bang. The scrumhalf delivered three assists before being replaced shortly after the interval. Although Dupont had to have his calf strapped, Galthie was reassuring about his condition ahead of next weekend's clash against England in Twickenham. Galthie praised France's discipline, with only three penalties conceded although Ntamack's red card for a shoulder-to-head tackle was a woeful low for the flyhalf. Ntamack was back with France after missing the Six Nations last year and the World Cup through injuries. "There is no question it's a yellow card, whether it's a red is debatable because he doesn't fully engage into the tackle," Galthie argued, despite some damning TV footage.
France face tougher challenge with England, without Ntamack
PARIS : France made their Six Nations opener look like a canter as they destroyed Wales on Friday but lost Romain Ntamack through a red card, which ruled the flyhalf out of next weekend's clash against England.
Vintage Bordeaux set to test Ulster stomach for fight
It was little over 12 months ago when Bordeaux-Begles turned up to Galway to face Connacht in the opening round of the 2023/24 Investec Champions Cup and nobody was quite sure what to expect.