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**dudeabides** · 04-03-2010, 06:02 PM

In today's action:

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Clermont failed to put any pressure on Perpignan and Castres ahead of their clash as they slumped to a 19-10 defeat away to Stade Francais.

Michael Cheika was in the Stade de France to watch the side his Leinster team will face next Friday in the Heineken Cup quarter-final, while no doubt checking out the city he'll call home next season when he takes over at the Paris club. And his future charges came out on top after a limp second-half display from Clermont.

Indeed, neither side scored as heavy rain came down in the second period, with the nine point lead Stade had taken into the interval enough for Stade. It was a disappointing finish for a game that had threatened a lot when prop Thomas Domingo crossed for a Clermont try after just four minutes, converted by Morgan Parra.

But France hooker Dimitri Szarzewski replied with the first of his two tries five minutes later, with Lionel Beauxis converting. Mark Gasnier added a second try after 17 minutes, with Beauxis again adding the extras, and although Parra notched a penalty, Szarzewski got over again for what proved to be the winning try.

Clermont seemed to have an eye on next week's European action in a distracted display, but Stade were more than happy to take advantage with a crucial win.

Toulon's took advantage to leapfrog Clermont after they claimed a 31-13 bonus point win over Bayonne at Stade Felix-Mayol that put them provisionally top ahead of the clash of the top two and assured them of a plac ein the play-offs.

The home side produced a strong first-half to lead 26-6 at the break. Jonny Wilkinson kicked two penalties before Gabirieli Lovobalavu touched down after Juan Fernandez Lobbe collected his own chip, fed Joe van Niekerk who fed the winger to score.

Hooker Sebastien Bruno scored from a maul after 23 minutes with Remi Martin in the bin for playing the ball on the ground, with Lovobalavu scoring his second from a Pierre Mignoni break before the interval.

But Bayonne started the second-half well with ill-discipline seeing two Toulon players, Davit Kubriashvili and Tana Umaga receive yellow cards in succession as the Basques scored their first try through No.8 Dwayne Haare six minutes into the half, but replacement Fabien Cibray crossed for the bonus with 15 minutes remaining.

Montauban's off-field troubles were compounded as they crashed to a 42-13 defeat to a rampant Biarritz at Stade Aguilera. It was all one way traffic as the Basques ran riot to boost their outside chance of a play-off spot against a Montauban side who were reduced to 14 men with Romain Sazy seeing red in the first-half.

Already facing relegation unless they can rectify financial irregularities, the defeat means Montauban slip behind Montpellier having conceded five first-half tries. Biarritz were rampant and at one point the visitor's ill-discipline saw 14 play 12 with Sazy dismissed and being joined by teammate Gregory Arganese and Biarritz prop Eduard Coetzee all being binned in the same incident with Scott Murray already off with a yellow.

American winger Takudzwa Ngwenya crossed for 16th and 24th minute tries, before Damien Traille, Karmichael Hunt and Florian Faure touched down for tries with Dimitri Yachvilli converting all five to make the half-time score 35-3.

The hosts took their foot off the pedal in the second-half, allowing replacements Mirko Lozupone and Felix Le Bourhis cross for consolation tries before Julien Peyrelongue finished the rout for Biarritz.

Brive squeezed past Bourgoin thanks to a penalty try with ten minutes remaining, converted by Fabrice Estebanez proved the crucial score as the hosts ran out 25-15 win. The penalty try came after five consecutive scrums on the Bourgoin line and was enough to see the hosts over the line.

The win moves the mid-table Brive away from any threat from below after they led 18-12 at the break after a tight opening half. Tries from blindside flanker Gerhard Vosloo and winger Ronnie Cooke and kicks from Alexis Palisson put them 18-9 in front after Benjamin Boyet kept Bourgoin in touch.

He drew them back within three points with two more penalties, but Brive's pressure told and they picked up a crucial win.

Montpellier's 62-15 win over relegated Albi sees them go from second from bottom to tenth.

The strugglers picked up a crucial bonus point after running in nine tries in a dominant performance over the hapless visitors. Benjamin Thiery set the tone with a try in the opening minute after good work from scrum-half Adrien Thomas.

Thiery's fellow winger Thierry Brana doubled the lead to 10-0 after five minutes, while tries from Mamuka Gorgodze and Argentine fullback Federico Todeschini who also kicked two conversion to give his side a 27-0 lead.

Substitute Saula Radidi pulled a try back for the visitors, but tries from Gorgordze, a Francois Trinh-Duc double, Sebastien Petit and Jean-Matthieu Alcalde kept Montpellier on course for a big win.

Toulouse kept up their march to the Top 14 play-offs by defeating top-six rivals Racing Metro 28-23 at the Stade Ernest Wallon on Friday night.

Toulouse were almost made to pay for Yannick Jauzion's second-half sin-binning, with former Springbok Jacques Cronje pouncing for a try and Racing pivot Andrew Mehrtens landing a penalty to close the gap created by tries from Clement Poitrenaud and Younn Maestri, but Toulouse showed their grit and pounced through veteran flanker Jean Bouilhou to seal victory.

Mehrtens had struck a drop-goal in the opening minute but Toulouse were also quick out of the blocks and scored the opening try through fullback Poitrenaud after only three minutes. David Skrela converted and slotted a 10th minute penalty while Mehrtens chipped in twice from the tee to leave a point in it at the break. Toulouse started the brightest after the restart and were rewarded with lock Maestri bustling over but Jauzion's indiscretion allowed Racing to close the gap.

Skrela pocketed a further three points before Bouilhou notched the decisive score, with Mehrtens' late penalty securing only a losing bonus-point.

Toulon pounce as Clermont slip up | Rugby Union | French Top 14 | Rugby News | Scrum.com

Castres v Perpignan:

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Perpignan handed Castres their first home league defeat of the season with a 17-11 victory over in their Top 14 clash at Stade Pierre Antoine.

The Catalans completed a league double over their title rivals to cement their place at the top of the table and stay on course for a home semi-final in this season's play-offs while defeat for Castres allowed Toulon to leap-frog them into second place after their thumping victory over Bayonne.

A try from winger Farid Sid, converted by fullback Jerome Porical, gave the visitors an early advantage but Castres struck back with a penalty from the boot of fullback Romain Teulet. And a try from winger Mathieu Nicolas gave the hosts the lead midway through the half.

Perpignan's hopes were then dealt a blow with a yellow card for Ovidiu Tonita but they weathered the blow and a try from No.8 Henry Tuilagi on the half hour put them back in control and the conversion from Porical cemented their lead.

Teulet reduced the arrears after the break with his second penalty but that was as close as they got with fly-half Gavin Hume sealing the win for Perpignan with a drop goal on the hour mark.

Perpignan hand Castres rare defeat | Rugby Union | Global | Rugby Match Pack | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 04-16-2010, 08:14 PM

Clermont v Castres:

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Clermont Auvergne maintained their push for a place in this season's Top 14 play-off semi-finals with a 25-19 victory over title rivals Castres at the Stade Marcel Michelin.

Dumped out of this season's Heineken Cup by Leinster in their last outing, Les Jaunards bounced back to form with a hard-fought victory that saw them climb above Castres and Toulon into second place in the table. And with only one round of the regular season remaining, the victory also boosted their chances of securing a top two finish and with it a bye directly into the second round of the post-season.

The visitors got off to a flying start with a penalty from the boot of fly-half Romain Teulet with only a minute on the clock and he edged his side further ahead with a second midway through the half. Clermont hit back with the opening try of the game through centre Marius Joubert just short of the half hour. But back came Castres with a try of their own from winger Marc Andreu just a few minutes later that was converted by Teulet and as a result they entered the break with a 13-5 lead.

Teulet extended Castres' lead with his third penalty shortly after the re-start but Clermont closed the gap almost immediately with a try from No.8 Elvis Vermeulen that was converted by replacement scrum-half Morgan Parra. The French international brought his side to within a point as the game ticked past the hour mark and when centre Gonzalo Canale crossed for his side third try two minutes later Parra again stepped up to add the extras.

A Teulet drop goal made it a three-point game moments later but as the game entered the final ten minutes, Parra gave his side some priceless breathing room with his second penalty. The result leaves Clermont, beaten finalists in the last three finals, just one point behind leaders Perpignan who travel to the now fourth-placed Toulon on Saturday.

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**dudeabides** · 04-17-2010, 05:42 PM

The other matches in Round 25:

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Jonny Wilkinson kicked 23 points as Toulon leapfrogged Perpignan with a 33-23 win at a packed Stade Veledrome in Marseille.

The champions played a part in this intense and fiery affair in the Mediterranian port but the English fly-half punished them at every turn, sending over two drop-goals, five penalties and converting one of Luke Rooney's two first-half tries. The action was so fierce that saw Perpignan's Julien Candelon and Guilhem Guirado and Toulon's Mafileo Kefo forced off with injuries within the opening half hour.

Sonny Bill WIlliams has been in the news this week with Graham Henry looking to lure the centre back to New Zealand for the World Cup and he showed just why, reacting to Pierre Mignoni's quickly taken penalty to send Rooney over after 17 minutes. Farid Sid put Perpignan in front for a short period, before Rooney struck again before the break after superb play from former Springbok Joe van Niekerk.

18-13 up at the break, Wilkinson took over and landed a drop-goal within three minutes of the restart. Three penalties and another drop meant that Jerome Porical's try failed to earn the Catalan's a bonus point and they left empty handed.

There were shocks all round in the earlier kick offs as Toulouse, Stade Francais and Brive all slipped up to teams in the bottom four.

Andrew Mehrtens came off the bench to kick Racing Metro from behind to a victory that clinches a play-off place with a 29-22 win over their nearest rivals Biarritz at Stade Colombes in the evening kick off.

The former All Black's accuracy ensures the big spending Parisians made the last six. He kicked two penalties and two conversions and guided his side to victory with Johnny Leo'o and Bernard Le Roux scoring crucial tries.

The home crowd faced a nervous wait when, with the scores tied at 22 all, Sebastian Chabal made a big carry and offloaded to Le Roux who crossed the line. The referee went upstairs and the try was awarded. Mehrtens converted to finish the job.

Before Mehrtens' introduction it had been all one way traffic and Karmichael Hunt's 49th minute try put Biarritz 19-6 in front, Iain Balshaw having earlier crossed for a try. Biarritz looked set to take the fight to the final week, but Racing fought back to secure their play-off spot.

Earlier, a week on from their scintillating victory over Stade Francais, Toulouse travelled to Bourgoin expecting to build on that performance, but fullback Alberto di Bernardo kicked the fourth from bottom side to a 15-13 victory.

The former Leeds Carnegie player landed a penalty, his fifth, from the halfway line to secure the crucial win after Finau Maka had infringed at a ruck. Toulouse scored just three points in a second half that saw them show the effects of last week's efforts.

Hooker Virgile Lacombe got them on their way with an early try, converted by David Skrela, cancelling out a di Bernardo penalty. Skrela and di Bernardo exchanged penalties before the break to make the score 10-6 at the break. The French international's penalty extended the lead to a converted try two minutes after the break, but Toulouse wouldn't score again and di Bernardo kicked them home.

Relegated Albi produced a massive shock, compounding Stade Francais' woes with an unlikely home win.

The Parisians outscored the Top 14's bottom side by four tries to three, but discipline cost them dearly and Benjamin Lapeyre kicked his side to a famous win. He nailed five first half penalties to cancel out tries from flanker Antoine Burban and winger Marco Bergamasco and lead 15-12 at the break.

Lapeyre sent over another three points after the interval, before Dave Vainqueur's try filled the hosts with belief. Lapeyre missed the conversion, but added a penalty and then two tries in three minutes from substitute Kevin Boulogne, who escaped Noel Oelschig's tackle to score, and Lapeyre, who picked up on a loose ball to cap his fine display and make the score 38-12.

Tries from Lionel Beauxis and Guilliaume Bousses brought some respectability to Stade on a day to forget.

Third from bottom Bayonne produced a fine display to overcome Brive on a 33-25 scoreline.

The win all but ends any hopes Brive had of reaching the play-off stages as they look destined for a midtable finish. Tries from Thibault Lacrois, Sam Gerber and Ross Filipo were enough for the hosts who raced into a 16-3 lead thanks to Lacroix's try, coming from a fine move involving Manny and Gerber, and kicks from Cedric Garcia as Scott Spedding spent time in the sin-bin.

Gerber intercepted a Fabrice Estebanez pass to score, before England international Jamie Noon pulled the lead back with a try, converted by Victor Palisson. His boot, and Jean-Baptiste Pejoine's try brought the visitors within six points, but Filipo broke from a five metre scrum to finish the job.

Struggling Montauban were the only team in the bottom four to lose, going down 19-6 to Montpellier. Francois Trinh-Duc scored a try for the victors in a strong away win.

The result sees Montpellier confirm their Top 14 status for next season and the France out-half and Argentine Frederico Todeschini's boot saw them home. His penalty was the only score of a dull first half as his side went in 3-0 in front at the break. But they took control thereafter, Trinh-Duc dropped a goal before scoring a try of his own to secure his side's status.

Link

**dudeabides** · 04-24-2010, 01:11 PM

The matches of Round 26...

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Toulon won at Brive on the final day of the regular season in France but were beaten to top spot by Perpignan, who picked up a bonus point in their rout of basement boys Albi.

Clermont Auvergne finished third after triumphing at Biarritz, while Toulouse sneaked into the top four courtesy of their victory over Castres.

At the other end, Montauban overcame Bayonne in their relegation decider but the victors could yet go down because of their financial irregularities.

Toulouse earned themselves a home draw in the first round of the play-offs by beating Castres 25-17 at the Stade Ernest Wallon on Saturday afternoon.

Toulouse posed the greater attacking threat in the opening exchanges and they deservedly took the lead 11 minutes in when fly-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde floated over a drop goal from just to the left of the uprights.

The French international tried another one moments later but this time he dragged his attempt badly to the left. However, he made amends by slotting over a 22-metre penalty on 17 minutes to belatedly double the home side's advantage.

However, Romain Teulet halved Toulouse's deficit with a long-range kick after Yannick Jauzion had illegally blocked off Yannick Caballero as the Castres flanker attempted to tackle Clement Poitrenaud.

Teulet then levelled matters on the half hour after Patricio Albacete had been pinged for coming in from the side before more Toulouse ill-discipline at the breakdown enabled the Castres fullback to slot over two more penalties just before the interval to help the visitors into a 12-6 half-time lead.

However, within ten minutes of the restart Toulouse were six points ahead. Vilimoni Delasau burrowed his way over from close range following a spell of incessant pressure from the hosts before Heymans broke through two tackles to touch down after a powerful catch-and-drive from the forwards had stretched the Castres defence to breaking point.

Toulouse should have extended their lead in the 56th minute but David Skrela, on as a replacement for Elissalde, missed horribly with a drop goal attempt from right under the posts. Skrela's profligacy was immediately punished. Yannick Jauzion turned the ball over in the midfield and Caballero pounced, scooping up the loose ball before booting in on down the right flank. Romain Cabannes got to it first, helping it on with his right foot before diving on the ball just before it bounced out of play.

The normally deadly Teulet failed to convert, meaning Castres still trailed by a point. However, they knew that a losing bonus point would be enough to hold on to fourth, thus clinching a home draw in the play-off quarter-finals.

Toulouse needed a converted try and they poured forward in the dying minutes. Eventually, their pressure told. Mathieu Bonello was yellow carded on 76 minutes, the prop having been made the scapegoat for Castres' increasingly cynical play, and Toulouse wasted little time in taking advantage, driving their opponents back over their own line in a scrum before Maka collapsed on the ball. Skrela converted and Toulouse had done enough to secure an eight-point margin of victory which means that Castres will be back at the Stade Ernest Wallon in two weeks' time.

Perpignan were given a particularly easy ride by already-relegated Albi at the Stade Aime Giral, the reigning champions running in six tries during a facile 44-0 rout.

Rimas Alvarez Kairelis got the ball rolling after just six minutes of play before Jerome Porical touched down towards the end of a one-sided opening quarter. Albi enjoyed a decent spell of competitiveness thereafter but Perpignan blindside flanker put the outcome beyond all doubt when he crossed either side of half-time.

The game now won and the bonus point secured, the hosts made a number of changes and two of their replacements, Jean-Philippe Grandclaude and Phillip Burger, both touched down as Perpignan continued to rip Albi to shreds at will.

That bonus-point clinching win enabled to usurp Toulon at the summit in spite of the latter's dramatic 26-23 win over Brive at the Stade Amedee-Domenech.

Brive, who began the day eighth, had much to play for given that seventh place will yield a place in Europe next season should either Biarritz or Toulouse lift the Heineken Cup next month and the hosts had the better of a tight first half.

Indeed, Alexis Palisson opened the scoring with a penalty and although Fabien Cibray replied with a drop goal for Toulon, Scott Spedding crossed on 11 minutes to put Brive in control. Felipe Contepomi kicked Toulon to within a point but Fabrice Estebanez replied with two penalties of his own to send Brive in 16-9 ahead at the break.

However, Toulon came out firing after the restart, with Contepomi leveling matters after Fijian winger Gabirieli Lovobalavu had streaked over. Contepomi was on hand to add the extras once again when Sonny Bill Williams dotted just after the hour mark and the Argentine added a penalty moments later to put ten points between the sides.

Luciano Orquera set up a frantic finish when he converted after Horacio Agulla's 74th-minute touchdown but Toulon held on to secure a home draw in the semi-finals.

Clermont Auvergne had hoped to force their way into the top two, and secure themselves an extra week's rest in the process, but they were forced to settle for third in spite of their 26-19 victory over Biarritz at the Parc des Sports Aguilera.

Clermont shaded the first half. Damien Traille opened the scoring for Biarritz just three minutes in with a drop goal only to see the visitors' half-backs Morgan Parra and Brock James respond with penalties to edge Clermont in front. Dimitri Yachvili quickly levelled but Clermont pulled clear when Napoleoni Nalaga dived over. Gonzalo Canale then saw yellow but Clermont made light of their temporary numerical advantage, actually managing to extend their lead to ten points whilst their Fijian flyer was in the bin thanks to another penalty from James.

However, Yachvili stroked over a penalty just over 60 seconds into the second period before helping himself to a try five minutes later. The momentum now appeared to be with the home side but Nalaga struck again on 62 minutes and even though Yachvili kept Biarritz within striking distance with a penalty, Parra responded in kind to seal victory for Clermont.

The big positive for Biarritz was that their losing bonus point ensured that they held on to seventh place, meaning they could yet be playing European rugby next year even if they fail to go on and win the Heineken Cup.

Stade Francais, meanwhile, finished what has been a thoroughly disappointing season on something of a high by recording a comprehensive 41-17 victory over Racing Metro.

Stade started brightly, with Ollie Phillips diving over ten minutes in after Lionel Beauxis had gotten the home side up and running with a penalty. Racing, though, responded well to Phillips' try and Greg Goosen hauled them right back into the game when he touched down on 17 minutes.

Jonathan Wisniewski restored parity with a drop goal but Stade reclaimed the lead with their next meaningful attack as Tom Palmer flopped over. Beauxis converted and the home side went in seven points up at the interval.

Phillips bagged his second try of the game seven minutes into the second half only to see Jone Qovu Naliko hit right back for Racing. However, the visitors capitulated in the final quarter, coughing up further tries to Beauxis and Ignacio Mieres as Stade claimed a win which resulted in them finishing eighth.

Montauban's players did what they could to avoid demotion to the second division after beating Bayonne 22-8 at the Stade de Sapiac.

In a straight shoot-out for survival, Montauban always looked to have the edge and were good value for their win. They were indebted to a commanding first-half showing for their win. Julien Audy opened the scoring with a penalty eight minutes in before Jean-Emmanuel Cassin claimed the game's crucial first try at the end of the opening quarter.

Cedric Garcia got Bayonne off the mark with a penalty moments later but Audy responded with two of his own to send Montauban, who had begun the game in the drop zone, 11 points ahead at the break.

Jean-Philippe Viard edged them further towards safety with a drop goal early in the second half but Sam Gerber's 57th-minute try raised the prospect of a late Bayonne fightback. However, it never materialised and the visitors had long since given up on turning the game around by the time Julien Larroque dotted with just under two minutes to go.

Finally, in the one game which had absolutely nothing riding on it, Montpellier defeated Bourgoin 34-27 in an unsurprisingly open and exciting encounter at the Stade Yves du Manoir.

Montpellier had the better of the opening quarter and finished it eight points to the good, thanks to Manoel Dall'igna's try and some solid goal-kicking Federico Todeschini. However, the boot of Alberto di Bernardo kept Bourgoin in touch and he drew his side level right on half-time after the hosts, under intense forward pressure, had coughed up a penalty try.

Montpellier, though, made an explosive start to the second half, racking up three tries in the space of nine minutes through Dall'igna again, Joan Caudullo and Francois Trinh-Duc. Credit to Bourgoin, they kept battling and were rewarded for their persistence with tries from Bogdan Leonte and Sebastien Laloo which drew them to within seven points with 13 minutes to play. However, despite their best efforts they were unable to conjure up another converted try and in the end had to settle for a losing bonus point.

**dudeabides** · 05-08-2010, 03:31 AM

Quarterfinal play, Clermont v Racing Metro:

Quote:

Clermont Auvergne battled to a 21-17 victory over Racing Metro at the Stade Marcel Michelin to book a Top 14 semi-final showdown with Toulon.

Five second-half penalties from the boot of scrum-half Morgan Parra and two earlier scores from fly-half Brock James ended Racing's season and set up a mouth-watering tie with Toulon at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in St Etienne next Saturday. Racing's Geo Cronje crossed for the game's only try just before the break and the kicking exploits of fullback Jonathan Wisniewski and fly-half Frans Steyn edged the visitors towards a famous win but a yellow card for lock Santiago Dellape and a determined defensive effort thwarted their quest for domestic glory.

Only defeated once at home this season, Clermont dominated the opening period but failed to take a firm grip on the game due largely to the indifferent form of James. He failed with two first half efforts but was on target in the third minute to give his side an early lead. The hosts continued to press in an attempt to cement their lead but winger Julien Malzieu was bundled into touch after ten minutes and Napolioni Nalaga was also denied a score when he was ruled to have knocked on as he chased down a kick from centre Marius Joubert.

James doubled his side's lead just short of the half hour but the hosts were made to pay for not hammering home their advantage when Cronje struck as the half drew to a close. A well-worked move ended with centre Henry Chavancy feeding his South African team-mate for the score although the referee opted for confirmation from the Television Match Official. A strong catch and drive from Racing drew a penalty from the hosts shortly after the re-start and Wisnieski slotted to kick to take his side into the lead for the first time in the game.

More indiscipline from the home side's forwards gifted Steyn a chance to extend Racing's lead and he did so with a superbly-struck kick from long range. But Parra reduced the arrears with a notable penalty of his own just moments later.

Pressure at scrum time in the shadow of the posts soon had the Clermont defence creaking and drew a penalty but Racing opted for another scrum and they were eventually rewarded with a drop goal from Wisniewski.

Clermont responded with some momentum of their own only for their handling to let them down but they raised their game again only to be thwarted by Steyn who was penalised for not rolling away at the breakdown. Parra stepped up to notch his second penalty and narrow the gap to just two point but an incredible 55m drop goal from Steyn gave his side a little bit more breathing room.

The tit-for-tat exchange continued with a late hit on Parra by Dellape resulting in a yellow card for the Italian and another three points for the Clermont No.9 although Racing were convinced the ball had missed its target.

Clermont then thought they had notched an all-important try when Steyn spilled the ball in his own in-goal but play was brought back for an earlier knock on. A fired up Clermont summoned an extra power surge at the resulting scrum and the inevitable penalty allowed Parra to give his side the lead as the game entered the last ten minutes.

Racing replacement Andrew Mehrtens looked to strike back but his drop goal was wide of the mark and a high tackle on Clermont's Aurelien Rougerie by Steyn allowed Parra to edge his side nearer the semi-finals. A late penalty offered Racing the chance to take the game downfield for one last assault but try as they might they were unable to conjure a late turnaround.

Link

**dudeabides** · 05-08-2010, 03:51 PM

The other quarterfinal,

Toulouse v Castres:

Quote:

Toulouse remain on course for a remarkable European and domestic double after recording a commanding 35-12 victory over Castres in their Top 14 quarter-final clash at the Stade Ernest Wallon on Saturday afternoon.

Guy Noves' men, who progressed to the Heineken Cup final with an equally impressive victory over Leinster last weekend, ran in four tries in total, with Vincent Clerc helping himself to a brace and Maxime Medard and Yann David both scoring one apiece. Castres rarely threatened the Toulouse line and had just four penalties from the boot of Romain Teulet to show for their efforts.

Of course, these two sides had met just two weeks previously, on the final day of the regular season, with Toulouse claiming a 25-17 victory which guaranteed them home advantage in this fixture. That proved crucial, as did the fact that Toulouse managed to strike early.

Just over two minutes had elapsed when Castres scrum-half Alexandre Albouy took the ball into contact on the end of the Toulouse 22. It came out on the visitors' side but they failed to gather it, allowing Gregory Lamboley to pilfer possession back for Toulouse. The flanker bounded upfield and then nimbly stepped inside one man before off-loading to the supporting Byron Keller, who immediately sprayed it wide to Medard. The fullback cruised past Marc Andreu to score.

Toulouse struck again before the midway point of the first half, Clerc doing supremely well in using his strength and pace to great effect as he rounded both Teulet and Andreu on the outside to cross in the corner.

Teulet's ever-reliable boot kept a game - but clearly rattled - Castres side in the contest and they twice managed to draw to within eight points before Toulouse finally pulled clear in the final quarter.

After Elissalde had stroked over a penalty on the hour - his third of the afternoon - Clerc scored his second try of the afternoon on 63 minutes, the prolific winger putting the finishing touches on a quite majestic cross-field attack which had featured sublime off-loads from Medard and Vilimoni Delasau.

Five minutes later and they were over again, David sliding over in the right corner after more wonderfully intricate passing and incisive running lines, with replacement forwards Jean Bouilhou and Finau Make both playing leading roles in the build-up.

Castres were by now a thoroughly frustrated bunch and this manifested itself in a late hit by Albouy on David after the latter had already touched down, thus sparking a minor melee which resulted in Castres lock Rodrigo Capo Ortega being sent to the bin.

Toulouse's interest in the fracas was half-hearted at best, though, as their thoughts had already turned to next weekend's mouth-watering semi-final showdown with Perpignan in Catalonia.

Link

Next week's semi finals:

Perpgignan v Toulouse
Toulon v Clermont

The finals two weeks later.

**dudeabides** · 05-13-2010, 06:48 PM

A preview of this weekend's semifinals,

Toulouse v Perpignan:

Quote:

Perpignan and Toulouse go head-to-head at Montpellier's Stade de la Mosson on Friday night for a place in this season's Top 14 Final.

Defending champions Perpignan enter the clash having topped the table during the regular season and they were duly rewarded with a bye in the first round of the new look end-of-season play-offs. But that three-week break may be a cause for concern as they contemplate what is sure to be a bruising clash against a Toulouse side battle-hardened and riding a rich vein of form.

Toulouse are chasing glory on two fronts with a Heineken Cup Final date with Biarritz on May 22 and victory over Perpignan will ensure a return to the Stade de France the following week with the Bouclier de Brennus up for grabs.

These two giants of French rugby shared the spoils in their earlier clashes this season with Perpignan edging out Toulouse 17-15 at the Stade Aime Giral in August before falling 22-11 in the reverse fixture at the Stade Municipal in December. More recently, Perpignan found title rivals Toulon too good in their penultimate league clash but closed out their regular season with a morale-boosting victory over relegated Albi. Toulouse have also faltered in recent weeks but appear to have hit their stride at exactly the right time with victory over Leinster in their Heineken Cup semi-final followed by an equally impressive success against Castres last time out.

Despite an extended rest period, Perpignan enter the game with concerns over fly-half Nicolas Laharrague and fellow playmaker Gavin Hume but both were included in a provisional 27-man squad announced by coach Jacques Brunel. Young scrum-half Florian Cazenave has been drafted into to bolster the squad with David Mele another option at No.10. The in-form centre pairing of David Marty and Maxime Mermoz is also set to get another run but as ever the battle up front is set to decide what appears on paper to be a close contest.

Reflecting on his side's unprecedented three-week lay-off, captain Nicolas Mas admitted it had been tough on his side. "The first fifteen days have been difficult because we did not know who our opponent was going to be," said the French international. "But since Monday, we are more focused."

Toulouse coach Guy Noves, who has publically declared his priority is the Heineken Cup, has his own injury worries with flanker Gregory Lamboley a doubtful starter having picked up a thigh injury against Castres. But a more significant concern is an abductor muscle injury for Jean-Baptiste Elissalde that is likely to rule him out of the clash. The latest injury blow for the versatile Elissalde, who starred in his side's victory over Castres, is likely to force Noves' hand who had hoped to rest the first-choice half-back pairing of David Skrela and Byron Kelleher.

Centre Yannick Jauzion admitted this week that the gruelling season had taken its toll but it also brought unity. "On one hand, there is the fatigue and the other, there is the trust that we have accumulated with these back-to-back victories," said the ever-influential centre.

Toulouse's indifference to domestic silverware is no doubt a front as the prospect of a rare double is surely an enticing prospect. They may already be able to boast a Top 14/Heineken Cup double back in 1995-96 but a repeat would cement their place as one of the great sides. In contrast, Perpignan ended a 54-year wait for glory with victory over Clermont Auvergne in last year's finale and that win has no doubt whetted their appetite for more.

The key to this clash will be how each side responds to their vastly different preparation. Will the break ensure a refreshed and hungry Perpignan take to the field or will they struggle to match the pace and rhytm of a Toulouse side honed the hard way?

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**dudeabides** · 05-14-2010, 07:02 PM

First semi, Perpignan v Toulouse:

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Perpignan will defend their title in the Top 14 final at the Stade de France after defeating Toulouse 21-13 in their semi-final at the Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier.

Toulouse's 20-year-old scrum-half Nicolas Bezy scored the only try of the game after seven minutes but the boot of Jerome Porical proved to be decisive, the Perpignan fullback slotting seven penalties to keep alive their hopes of back-to-back championships.

Perpignan were roared onto the field by the huge crowd, with the noise no doubt getting the blood flowing after a three-week layoff since their thrashing of Albi. Toulouse, in contrast, had been running hot given their exertions in seeing off Leinster and Castres in recent weeks to ensure that their chances of a remarkable domestic and European double remained alive.

In the build up to the game the Toulouse camp kept on message and the Heineken Cup was talked up as their absolute priority. This was reflected in Guy Noves' team selection as Thierry Dusautoir, William Servat and Vincent Clerc made way for Finau Maka, Virgile Lacombe and Vilimoni Delasau. With Byron Kelleher rested and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde injured, scrum-half duties were handled by Bezy inside David Skrela at fly-half.

The opening whistle dispelled any notions that the rouge et noir were making up the numbers as they swarmed to stop the first surge from Perpignan's Samoan powerhouse Henry Tuilagi. Florian Fritz then fired a warning shot with a 50m penalty falling just wide of Perpignan's uprights and skipper Jean Bouilhou found open space after cutting through the line of blood and gold, only to ignore the support on his outside.

Perpignan then grabbed a foothold with a sniping break from Maxime Mermoz, who arched past his rival for the French No.12 jersey, Yannick Jauzion, to get his side moving. Mermoz's jab was followed by an instinctive counter from Toulouse which led to a wonderful team try. Shaun Sowerby secured a turnover on his 22, snatching the ball and firing a short pass to Jauzion. Fritz offered support outside and found an offload to Clement Poitrenaud, who delayed a crucial second before releasing Skrela for the line. The fly-half had the legs on Christophe Manas but turned the ball inside for the onrushing Bezy to score under the sticks.

Skrela converted but Noves was left fuming as Perpignan immediately snatched three points back from the restart. Sloppy play led to a penalty and a languid strike from Porical raised the flags. The fullback slotted two further three-pointers either side of one from Skrela, who extended Toulouse's lead before the half-hour mark after Perpignan had been unfortunate to see a counter attack from deep break down after a crushing hit on Farid Sid.

Despite falling behind Perpignan dominated possession, with Nicolas Durand, bound for Racing Metro next season, orchestrating play off strong ball retention from his pack. Mermoz sniped and probed against his former club but was unable to break through, with Tuilagi also well marshalled by Bouilhou when Toulouse's resistance looked set to break. Energised by their efforts Perpignan came agonisingly close to answering Toulouse's champagne try with one of their own, but Manas could only knock on when presented with an offload following a superb scything break orchestrated by David Marty and executed by Porical.

Half-time came and went with no further score but Perpignan hit back immediately after the break. Their powerful scrum splintered Toulouse, who brought on Benoit Lecouls and Jean-Baptiste Poux at the break, and Porical hammered over the penalty from inside his own half to narrow the deficit to one.

To the delight of their fans Perpignan were soon ahead thanks to more inroads at the scrummage. This time it was hooker Guilhem Guirado who received pats on the back before Porical secured the lead for the first time in the game. Their running game also sparked into life as Sid and Hume attacked at the heart of the Toulouse defence, but the play broke down with some poor handling and quickly descended into an ugly scrap between Nicolas Mas and Delasau, with the Toulouse wing gesturing to referee Romain Poite that his eyes had been targeted.

Perpignan continued to dominate possession as Toulouse introduced a horde of replacements and Porical extended the lead after Jauzion had failed to release in the tackle. The fullback's radar failed him for the first time as the clock ticked past 70 minutes and Perpignan were forced to dig deep to repel waves of Toulouse attacks in the dying moments of the game. An illegal shoulder charge brought a penalty the way of the champions and the pendulum swung for the final time, with Toulouse unable to muster a killer blow and Porical on hand to stroke home his seventh penalty to start the fans dreaming of Paris.

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**dudeabides** · 05-15-2010, 02:11 PM

Clermont v Toulon:

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Clermont Auvergne will play Perpignan in this season's Top 14 final after battling past Toulon 35-29 in a thrilling semi-final at the Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier.

An extra time try from Clermont centre Julien Malzieu and a sensational drop goal from fly-half Brock James proved to be the decisive scores in a pulsating clash that sets up a repeat of last season's final.

The boot of scrum-half Morgan Parra had put Clermont in control before prop David Zirakashvili crossed in the closing stages of normal time to put his side on course for the Paris finale. But Toulon centre Sonny Bill Williams struck at the death to give his side hope and Jonny Wilkinson, who finished the game with 17 points, levelled the scores with a massive penalty. Clermont stole the initiative in extra time with James slotting a penalty and a drop goal before Malzieu pounced against a tiring defence. But back came Toulon with a try from replacement scrum-half Fabien Cibray but they were thwarted in their last ditch attempts to rescue the game.

Clermont received a major boost prior to kick-off with Pumas hooker Mario Ledesma passing a late fitness test to join Martin Scelzo and Thomas Domingo in the front-row. Skipper Aurelien Rougerie switched to outside-centre with Brock James facing off against Jonny Wilkinson at fly-half.

Some helter-skelter handling from Toulon in the opening moments yielded a fortunate penalty against Rougerie and Wilkinson made absolutely no mistake. Clermont burst into life through James, imbued with confidence despite a difficult few weeks, whose superb catch sparked a break through Floch and wing Julien Malzieu. Malzieu was hauled down but patient phase play saw the ball shipped back for Floch to clip over a drop-goal.

James continued to run from the restart, using Marius Joubert on the short ball to make big gains before Floch missed a penalty after a high tackle on Alexandre Lapandry from Toulon lock Jocelino Suta. Wilkinson also missed his next shot, a monster effort from halfway, but smashed over a 40 metre drop-goal to snatch the lead despite more expressive play from Clermont.

James pushed an attempted drop-goal across the face but his pack enjoyed better fortune in crushing the Toulon scrum to win a penalty. Unfortunately their lineout skills were not of the same order and a strong attacking platform was wasted as Joe van Niekerk broke away.

Clermont won two scrum penalties in quick succession, with Para taking the first quickly and dispatching the second through the uprights to level the scores. The differing styles of the two sides continued with Clermont breaking from their 22 through Malzieu and the rapid openside Alex Lapandry before Wilkinson put boot to ball in an unsuccessful attempt to turn Napolioni Nalaga.

A Toulon bomb brought the next score for Wilkinson after a mix up between Julien Bonnaire and Domingo led to a penalty for offside. Clermont frantically sought an advantage before half-time and after Parra had seen a long-range penalty attempt drop short, they believed that they had it.

An overthrown Toulon lineout fell to Parra and after the ball had been shipped wide to Rougerie it was forced across the line by Canadian lock Jamie Cudmore. Referee Jerome Garces was unmoved, taking a short look before signalling that the ball had been held up, bringing the half to an end.

Felipe Contepomi was introduced by Toulon at the break for Luke Rooney but the Pumas veteran lost an early kicking battle with James as the Clermont pivot pinned the opposition deep inside their 22 with a raking kick. Again the ball was overthrown but Parra was unable to gather this time under pressure.

The diminutive scrum-half levelled the scores moments later however, stroking over a long-range effort with his best kick of the afternoon, and was on target again moments later from similar range to secure the lead. It was nearly the shortest of advantages though as Wilkinson was inches away from slotting a levelling kick seconds later after a brief dust up between Parra and Mignoni.

Toulon finally threw caution to the wind as Sonny Bill Williams broke from his 22, using van Niekerk and Mafileo Kefu in support before Tana Umaga spilled the ball forward. Another overthrown lineout gave Parra his next three points as Olivier Missoup launched himself over the top at a ruck, rewarding a strong scrum and great Parra nudge in the build-up.

To the joy of their fans Toulon bit back in the scrum battle, winning a penalty 30 metres out after taking the ball against the head following an accidental offside. Wilkinson put the noise in the ground aside to bisect the posts.

Superb handling from the Toulon backs had Clermont grasping at thin air soon after, with Contepomi, Wilkinson and Kefu combining to put replacement prop Saimone Taumoepeau free along the wing. A textbook cover tackle from Parra saved the day for Les Jaunards, the tiny scrum-half felling his giant opponent just in time.

His intervention looked all the more important moments later as replacement prop Zirakashvili bundled over for a vital try. Parra had been collared high by Ross Skeate and from the penalty Clermont's pack took control with an imposing maul. The ball was shipped wide to Rougerie who was hauled down short, but the Georgian prop dived over from close range. The try was awarded on sight by Garces but there was more controversy as Zirakashvili appeared to knock on before grounding the ball.

Toulon hit back immediately following a sweeping move from deep. With Rougerie down with a head injury, and Parra later in the move, Toulon exploited the extra gaps with quick hands and willing support. Van Niekerk was stopped inches short by Nalaga, but Williams was able to launch over from close range. Wilkinson converted and soon after levelled proceedings with a massive penalty from halfway.

With neither side able to break the deadlock before the final whistle, the contest went into extra time where early pressure from Clermont drew a penalty. But instead of going for the posts they opted for the scrum and were made to regret their decision as Toulon eventually turned the ball over and cleared. They were soon pressing again and when the whistle went in their favour there was no debate with James slotting the simple kick.

And James edged his side towards the Paris finale moments into the second half of extra time with a sensational drop goal from just inside his own half. Toulon responded well but their handling let them down at the crucial moment and Malzieu pounced before launching the decisive kick and chase before beating Lovobalavu to touch the ball down. James' conversion looked to have put the result beyond doubt but Cibray skipped through for Toulon and Wilkinson's conversion brought them to within six points with just two minutes left on the clock. Van Niekerk then put Lovobalavu into space down the short side and the winger was bundled into touch just short of the line by Canale to end their hopes of a late turnaround.

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**dudeabides** · 05-29-2010, 05:18 PM

Perpignan v Clermont:

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Clermont Auvergne ended a 74-year wait for the French title with a 19-6 victory over Perpignan in their Top 14 Final showdown at the Stade de France in Paris.

A try from winger Napolioni Nalaga and an assured kicking display from scrum-half Morgan Parra and fly-half Brock James saw Les Jaunards end a run of ten successive final defeats dating back to 1936 including the last three battles for the Bouclier de Brennus. Two penalties from Jerome Porical were all Perpignan had to show for a lacklustre display with the defending champions left to rue a series of missed opportunities.

The Catalans began brightly and their physicality set the tone for what was a bruising encounter but they failed to find the finesse to compliment their aggression and Porical failed to conjure the form that had helped to account for Heineken Cup champions Toulouse in the semi-final. Clermont weathered the early storm and grew in belief as Perpignan's challenge faltered with an outrageous drop goal from fullback Anthony Floch eventually putting the result beyond doubt and sealing a deserved victory.

Tempers threatened to boil over in a lively opening before the boot of James took the game deep inside the Perpignan 22. Clermont then stole the ball at the lineout and Parra and Nalaga probed the short side but were denied before tempers flared once again. The eventual penalty went Clermont's way but Parra could only push the kick wide of the posts.

Perpignan rallied well and their impressive physicality at the breakdown was rewarded with the next penalty but Porical was also off-target with his long-range effort with nerves apparently playing their part in proceedings. But Parra recovered his composure on ten minutes to give his side the lead after the Perpignan forwards' eagerness to claim a turnover on their own 22 got the better of them.

Rougerie and Floch then led a superb break after an excellent lineout move on halfway that had Perpignan scrambling. James then added fresh impetus to the attack as the Perpignan defence worked desperately to snuff out the danger but the ball found Nalaga who showed great strength to force his way over for the score that was converted by Parra. Perpignan's dominance up front resulted in the next penalty midway through the half with Porical putting his side on the board with a superb kick from just inside the Clermont half. The sparks were soon flying again with referee Christophe Berdos called once again to act as peacemaker.

Rougerie was the next to be penalised for coming in from the side at a ruck and Porical wasted little time in slotting his second penalty and closing the deficit to four points. Clermont responded with a good spell of pressure and it was Perpignan who were next to feel the wrath of the referee's whistle for going off their feet and Parra punished them further.

A dazzling break from James then cut Perpignan wide open before Joubert was hauled down and when the ball was recycled James was involved again, feeding Rougerie inside the 22, but some aggressive defence stripped the ball and cleared the danger. A huge hit from Tuilagi then flattened Cudmore and the Perpignan No.8 was soon causing more damage with a strong run but some more committed defence, this time from Clermont winger Julien Malzieu, averted the danger.

Rougerie was the next to require treatment as the result of a unintentional knee to the back of his head in the latest bruising clash of the half and there was another soon after by Joubert on Perpignan hooker Guilhem Guirado with the Clermont centre guilty of not using his arms in the tackle. But Porical pulled the relatively straight forward kick wide of the posts in the last act of the half.

Perpignan winger Adrien Plante was the next to require treatment shortly after the re-start after being caught by a boot at the breakdown but his injury failed to halt his side's momentum that in turn forced the latest penalty from Clermont. But again Porical 's effort was wide of the mark with his patchy form with the boot becoming increasingly portent.

Another mistake from Porical, this time under pressure in his own 22, gave Clermont a scrum in a great field position but some bone-crunching defence robbed Nalaga of the ball as he closed in on the line. Perpignan struggled to get the ball away with Hume charged down in his 22 but James was wide with his drop goal attempt. He was not deterred and lined up another from almost 60 metres moments later but failed to land his audacious effort.

Perpignan struggled to create any significant opportunities and what they could muster appeared a little desperate but their endeavour did bring Porical a chance to redeem himself just before the hour mark. It was however a similar story for the troubled fullback who pushed his latest attempt wide of the posts. Porical's shortcomings were magnified when Parra bisected the uprights soon after to give his side a ten point lead after Perpignan were penalised at the breakdown.

Parra looked to close the game out with his next effort a few minutes later after Perpignan's Marius Tincu was singled out for punishment but came up short. However, a superbly struck drop goal from Floch edged his side nearer a long-awaited title despite question marks about how Nalaga fielded the ball near the touchline in the build-up.

Bankrupt of ideas, a hopeful cross kick from Nicolas Laharrague failed to find Plante out wide in one of a precious few forays into their rivals' 22. The Catalans raised their game in the closing minutes but Clermont were not to be denied and happily ran the clock down with another wayward Parra penalty taking them nearer to a famous triumph that was finally confirmed by Berdos' final whistle.

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