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Montpellier seeking compensation for Racing postponement
By Peter Thompson
Montpellier are seeking thousands of euros in compensation from French rugby chiefs for the postponement of last Saturday's Top 14 clash with Racing 92.
The National Rugby League (NRL) called off the clash at Altrad Stadium on the eve of the game amid talks over a proposed merger between Racing and Stade Francais.
Controversial plans for the two Paris clubs to join forces were scrapped on Sunday following a huge backlash, which included the threat of strike action from players and other protests.
Montpellier on Tuesday revealed that they will pursue a claim after being hit in the pocket as a result of the match against the champions not going ahead.
A club statement said: "Last Friday, we were forced by a unilateral decision of the NRL Bureau, at the request of Racing 92, not to play on Saturday night.
"Nevertheless, the referee asked us to be present at the time of the match as if the match were to take place.
"We are still challenging the rationale for the NRL decision, which we are still looking for, and we are now waiting for the position of the FFR [French Rugby Federation] as announced by Serge Simon yesterday morning: 'The FFR considers the deferral decision inappropriate. As such, it has initiated a procedure for the review of this decision ... and has maintained the official system of the match, the presence of the referees being able to note the absence of one of the teams'.
"In any event, once the meeting between the President of the FFR and the NRL has taken place, the MHR will continue the actions essential to the defence of its rights and in particular the reimbursement of all the expenses incurred as well as the lost revenue which amounts to several hundred thousand euros."
Stade's match against Castres was also postponed.
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"And you think they are finished products? 🤣"
I think Ntamack was a better player at 21 than Marcus is at 25. I think his game will continue to develop, but I don't think either of them will get very much better. Dan Carter became an incredible game manager as he got older, but he never dominated the opposition more than he did aged 23. Wilkinson pretty indisputably hit his peak at 24. Not everyone is Johnny Sexton, and most players who are touted as prodigies turn out to have peaked young.
"That, or the English game has been slow to develop. I'll let you decide the answer to that one Finn 😉"
no, England have generally looked like a good side when Smith isn't in the team.
"Great job illustrating he's the man to take England to WC 27' though, kinda counter to wanting a 35yo Farrell!"
literally no one is arguing for Farrell.
Go to commentsScott Robertson is within his rights to state a case. Richie Mo'unga would have made a huge difference to the All Blacks this year. To say he and Richie worked well together at the Crusaders is a massive understatement. 7 titles speaks for itself. He then guided Brave Lupus to the Japanese League title in 2024. It worked well when Richie's fellow Crusaders great Matt Todd and team mate ,was able to play for the All Blacks while in Japan in 2018.
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