Last week two sets of figures were published. On Wednesday the Aviva Premiership disclosed that attendances are up 10.1% this season with the average gate an impressive 13,833. Two days later…
Top 14
Whatever happened to Mourad Bodjellal’s first Toulon side?
Mourad Boudjellal is not leaving Toulon. After months of speculation that he was going to sell the club, the president announced a week before Christmas that he will remain at…
Mass exodus predicted at Stade Francais
Why are so many of the Stade Francais Top 14-winning squad set to leave the Parisian club?
Downtime with… All Blacks great Dan Carter
Former All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter on Racing 92, rats and ‘The Rock’
Is Toulon for sale?
Toulon took to Twitter on Monday afternoon to officially deny a report in Midi Olympique that they were courting Glasgow lock Jonny Gray. That was soon followed by a Tweet…
Top 14: Can French sides get off to a flyer in the Champions Cup?
The Champions Cup starts this weekend and the seven French sides have experienced fluctuating fortunes so far this season in the Top 14. With sackings, sales and scandals dominating the…
Agent defends Dan Carter after claims of drug test ‘anomalies’
Former All Blacks Dan Carter and Joe Rokocoko gave drug tests which showed “anomalies” before this year’s Top 14 final, according to the French newspaper L’Equipe. But the pair’s manager,…
Opinion: The eye gouge is a blight on rugby that must be eradicated
No one forgets their first gouge. Feeling another man’s finger burrowing into one’s eye is a frightening experience. It happened to me in my second match in France. I’d made…
Top 14: Why Jake White’s approach was his downfall at Montpellier
South African Jake White is set to be replaced as Montpellier coach by Vern Cotter next summer – here's a look at where he went wrong
Top 14 to promote French talent over foreign imports
Midi Olympique’s XV of the Weekend in Monday’s edition was a United Nations of rugby talent. England’s Nick Abendanon at full-back, a couple of Kiwis in Conrad Smith and Casey…