european champions cup restarts
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

as Montpellier travel to Glasgow

European Champions Cup restarts

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today European Champions Cup restarts

Montpellier's scrum-half Benoit Paillaugue scores a try during their European Champions Cup rugby.
Paris - Arab Today

After France's disastrous showing in their November internationals, the European Champions Cup restarts -- with Montpellier's trip to Glasgow on Friday -- as detractors debate the cause of the national team's malaise.

By anyone's standards, Les Bleus' autumn campaign was a catastrophe. Hammered by New Zealand, they also lost to a very poor South Africa side and drew with 2019 World Cup hosts Japan.

It left veteran coach Guy Noves with the unenviable record of 13 defeats and a draw from his 21 matches in charge -- the side's worst win-ratio in almost 50 years.

Critics have been foaming at the mouth to list the reasons behind the demise.

Heading the complaints is the state of the Top 14, France's elite division often touted as one of the world's most competitive, but obviously failing the national set-up as it stands.

Inadequate academies failing to produce quality youngsters, too many games, too many foreigners -- particularly in key positions -- too many club interests taking precedent over national ones.

"I'm well aware of the period we're going through," Noves told AFP. "I know some of the reasons for it but I don't really want to list them because otherwise they'll say I'm complaining."

Either way, it makes for familiar reading for followers of the French club game, and especially Montpellier and club president Mohed Altrad, the Syrian Bedouin-born French billionaire businessman who has managed to rub everyone in French club rugby up the wrong way.

Now coached by former Clermont and Scotland trainer Vern Cotter, it was formerly Jake White at Montpellier's helm, and the South African did not hesitate in waving Altrad's chequebook to sign up a host of compatriots.

- South African bolthole -

The current Montpellier squad boasts a whopping 13 South Africans as well as three Georgians, two Fijians, two New Zealanders, an Australian and a Portuguese international.

The logic is not difficult to see for the club owner. The fewer number of players absent on international duty makes for a more solid showing in the Top 14. Montpellier currently sit second, two points behind leaders La Rochelle, to whom they lost 26-14 last weekend.

The pressure is on for Friday's match at Glasgow, both teams having lost their opening two Pool 3 games and knowing that a victory is crucial to their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Montpellier did at least pick up three bonus points, whereas Glasgow have nothing to show for their efforts following defeats to three-time winners Leinster and English champions Exeter, who clash on Sunday.

"Up against half the Scotland team, if not more, it'll be an even tougher match," said Montpellier No.8 Kelian Galletier of Friday's trip.

"If we lose, the European Cup is over for us."

Despite being pointless, Glasgow coach Dave Rennie insisted his team haven't written off the competition.

"We'll put the best team out that we possibly can. Obviously, Europe is a bit of a sprint, being over six weeks instead of the 21 in the Guinness Pro14," the Kiwi said.

"We know we're in a tough pool, with Exeter leading in England, Montpellier leading in France and Leinster doing well in their conference."

Beyond Top 14 and European action, Altrad has found himself mired in an ugly affair involving French rugby federation president Bernard Laporte.

Altrad signed an agreement with Laporte's company to exploit the image of the former France coach, at the same time as Altrad's eponymous company became a jersey sponsor of the France XV.

Laporte has also been accused of helping to have reduced a fine imposed on Montpellier last season for a protest banner flown by their supporters. His intervention, which he said involved a phone call to offer a "political perspective", prompted seven members of the federation's appeals board to resign.

Laporte's contract with Altrad has since been withdrawn, but the alleged favouritism case was this week passed to the public prosecutor.

In the meantime, all eyes focus on an upturn in French fortunes on the pitch, starting with Altrad's team laden with foreigners.

Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

GMT 05:55 2017 Saturday ,23 December

Barcelona tempted by Griezmann

GMT 03:21 2017 Friday ,22 December

Birthday boy Mbappe stars

GMT 19:32 2017 Saturday ,09 December

McCall confident despite Saracens' slump

GMT 10:30 2017 Tuesday ,07 November

All Blacks flyer Ioane shakes off mumps scare

GMT 16:30 2017 Friday ,03 November

Nadal withdraws from Paris Masters
Arab Today, arab today

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

european champions cup restarts european champions cup restarts

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

european champions cup restarts european champions cup restarts

 



GMT 10:10 2017 Thursday ,09 February

3 Important Elements You Have to Consider

GMT 04:03 2017 Monday ,24 April

Bella Hadid ‘dying’ to visit Palestine

GMT 19:25 2016 Wednesday ,25 May

The Brooklyn Desk by Oeuf NYC

GMT 07:49 2018 Friday ,05 January

2 Russian servicemen killed

GMT 07:58 2018 Monday ,01 January

Italy orders N. Korea's envoy to leave

GMT 08:45 2017 Wednesday ,20 December

US military imagines war without GPS

GMT 17:26 2017 Sunday ,17 December

Putin thanks Trump for help in foiling attack plot

GMT 22:19 2017 Monday ,16 October

Cairo-hosted Fatwa conf. new contribution

GMT 02:27 2016 Friday ,10 June

Video hints Japan abetting illegal ivory trade

GMT 07:04 2017 Wednesday ,19 April

1,883 Bahrainis found jobs in March

GMT 14:24 2016 Tuesday ,22 November

Citi and JPMorgan top list of ‘globally banks’

GMT 21:43 2017 Friday ,01 September

People question Nazaruddin`s repatriation expenses

GMT 09:41 2017 Wednesday ,19 April

OIC concerned over violence in Mali

GMT 01:30 2017 Friday ,27 October

May22/Jun21

GMT 05:38 2016 Friday ,30 December

Dubai Airports divert 13 flights due to heavy fog

GMT 11:38 2017 Saturday ,14 January

Mexico names new ambassador to US

GMT 12:03 2017 Wednesday ,22 March

Kuwait to mark World Water Day

GMT 15:00 2017 Wednesday ,27 September

HM King receives invitation from Egyptian President

GMT 02:45 2017 Tuesday ,05 December

President Bashir arrives in Chad

GMT 02:45 2017 Wednesday ,16 August

Turkmen President Visits Pakistan
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday