Clermont confirm 7 signings including a Wallaby and a Puma

The French halves played a limited game very well, but I'm not sure that it's how Galthie will want to operate long term. It'll be interesting to see how Hastoy and DMac dovetail at LaRo.

In the meantime, Razor needs to begin grooming either Rivez Reihana or Ruben Love as a third 10 option this season with the aim for one of them to be the second 10 at the RWC in 2027 and the starter in the Lions series in 2029.

Looking at the bigger picture, when Razor says “They’ve been going for about 11 months”, if that doesn’t shout ‘Houston, we have a problem’, then I don’t know what does! Now you can advocate your case that the Top14 should or even must change but it’s a product of the unique culture that is French rugby. It has evolved over many decades and it isn’t about to jump just because other countries look at their set up with a combination of disdain/envy. Rugby would be better served by looking at implementing hard playing parameters across the game and continue leaving unions to manage selection as they see fit.

I don’t remember from SR Hotham to have been so impressive. I actually don’t see him at the AB level yet. Ratima, despite that great kick, I see him as less impressive than Roigard too.

I also think Hastoy did well.

Le Garrec is better than Ratima and Hotham.

By the way, despite RugbyPass ignoring it, the Pumas played the Teros this weekend. Interesting game to watch too, it wasn’t great, but in the second half the Pumas did show some nice new players. Sadly, none of them were props.

Oh, and the U20! Allez les bleu-ciel!

Love and Jordan very capable of swapping roles - look how far to the left our right wing was for that try. I'd like to see both of them starting and the two veterans duking it out for the ten jersey. Love needs the experience before 2027.

I wouldn't want Kirifi, Ardie and Papali'i on the field together, but Ardie, Sititi and one of Lakai, Papali'i or Kirifi could make a mobile but more balanced trio. Just a shame that Lakai and Parker were injured, both of them could prove to be good enough. Finau finally showed a bit of promise in Hamilton too.

I've got all four locks in my 23, with Tuipulotu and maybe Holland on the bench. Bok and French locks don't usually go the 80 so why should ours? And we can't afford a 5/3 bench against a seven strong bomb squad at Eden Park.

If Razor is to persist with a ball in hand specialist like Ardie at openside, the four locks are going to have to get through a mountain of clearing and tackling. I really question the wisdom of having a 7 who makes so few tackles and doesn't get to the breakdown first.