Aaron Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder named in Turbos' first team of the year

If you’re after compassion and understanding, you’ve got it, but there needs to be an acknowledgement from your side.

I registered to this site because it’s supposed to be World Rugby’s and not simply reflecting the views of some remote part of the World without bothering to take into acccount those who were primarily concerned by how the French team operate and is selected.

Most of the comments I could read around were appalingly ignorant, based on old clichés or borderline xenophobe. Compassion, certainly not. Understanding, only if someone want to take into account the reality, otherwise, it’s simply like pissing against the wind, as we use to say.

Otherwise you are going to alienate yourselves further and further from the International game.

Since I’m following rugby, as a French fan, I’ve always constated that there is obviously the Anglosphere and the rest of us.

We have never been part of the British Empire, our fan base is different, our Rugby circles are different (a societal fact), our championship is different and our language is different (even if many more Frenchies than you think do speak and read english while the contrary is quite exceptional). Hence those Frenchies are mostly aware how things are working aboard while the opposite is generaly not true.

France will already start with a handicap in the international scene which is ruled by the Anglosphere. In time, we have learn to deal with it. But our Championship is ours, and our priorities are defined by home concensus. So you should also learn to deal with it as it’s us taking the hit in WR rankings, not NZ or any nation played during summer.

Canal can’t even be bothered with an English broadcast of its games

I’m not even sure that canal owns the rights outside France or countries not covered by their channel. If some broadcaster are interested, I could probably find a number for them to call.

Look at the NRL and NFL, they are taking their game to the world

Again, the World is not the Anglosphere.

NBA is probably the most watched and popular US sport in France; NFL has only a couple of fans… NRL is like Cricket, Baseball or Lions Tour, nobody care! But the reason why US sports, in particular, are taking their franchised pro games to the Anglosphere is because it’s easy for them: they have the excess cash for promotion and… are already part of the Anglosphere (no need to hire anyone with a funny accent to make it accessible).

Will Razor execute his wish to give everyone a run? I can’t see how tbh.

Possible:

- Luke for Christian

- Anton for Jim

- Bower for Tosi

Given that FRA will be selecting a ‘peak’ 23, I think Brodie, Noah, & Love are out of luck.

Interesting dilemma.

The Top14 is actually a shining light for rugby, along with the Pro D2 and National 1, they provide professional employment for thousands of rugby players, trained by top class coaches, competing regularly with and against top class players, and Jiff isn’t limited to French, so players from around the world, as well as French, have opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have, bolstering many international teams, not just their own.

As I see it, it’s not up to rivals to dictate their opponents’ tactics, and the French are entitled to run their National squad exactly as they choose, it makes no difference what “everyone”, in your view, else does. If the French value their Top14 and choose to send out development teams, that’s their entirely their prerogative, and no concern of NZ fans and pundits. I could equally well argue that NZ are disrespecting international competitions by not playing their full A team, because they ban players who play club rugby abroad. But I won’t, because just as France rightly have the freedom to approach selection as they choose, so do NZ.

Top14 isn’t perfect - I’d like to see more concern for player welfare, but that means having time for rest and recuperation, not replacing Top14 matches with international ones, so the burden remains the same. Imo, preferably limits on playing hours and bigger squads.

Ridiculous.

That would be lovely.

There is a system of bonus paid by FFR directly to players but it’s only linked to the team performance if there is tournament prize money (mostly 6N and WC).

Why are TOP14 fans bemoaning the lack of star signings these days

I didn’t hear, from where I stand, a single fan around me bemoaning about the lack of star in their championship. So I really don’t know what you are refering to. Club’s recruitment policy tend to evolve because the number of non-JIFF player allowed in their team is decreasing year after year. They are primarily aiming at youngsters (from anywhere) for their academies as they can get the JIFF status after forming there for 3 years. Of course, only a few will make it to Top 14 team sheet one day.

Last I hear, half the pack of the Pumitas (Argentina’s U20) are already signed by French clubs for next season. One of them looks very promising… and is heading to Toulouse.