Short notice... But is anyone available for a game of rugby?
Asking for a friend...
If you have nothing better to do in the next few hours, one club has issued a plea for some players with no other commitments ahead of a small, unimportant match.
You are sure to be guaranteed a very warm welcome from the loyal fans who regularly turn out to see their side in action, no matter what the weather.
The only problem is you will have to make your own way to Marseille's Stade Velodrome in time for the match - a Top 14 semi-final between La Rochelle and Toulon.
Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal posted the tongue-in-cheek appeal on his Twitter feed in response to a growing absentee list ahead of the club's last-four match against La Rochelle, which is broadcast on Rugby Pass.
His message reads: "Hello, I am looking for volunteers to play a match tomorrow at 9pm"
François Trinh-Duc, and Laurent Delboubes joined a long queue of players waiting outside the physio's office at the club after they picked up injuries in last weekend's intense 'barrage' encounter at Stade Mayol against Castres Olympique.
In fact, the injury crisis at the club ahead of the big match is so severe that 21-year-old fly-half Anthony Belleau is set to make just the third start of his professional career opposite Australian veteran Brock James.
Meanwhile, Matt Giteau, whose playing career in France seemed over after he took on a short-term role as backs coach to see out the remaining months of an injury-hit final season at the club, will strap on his boots as and join the replacements on the bench.
Ma'a Nonu is unavailable for personal reasons.
So, if you can make it to the Velodrome... Mourad and a few thousand Toulon fans may well be grateful.
Latest Comments
Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
Go to comments