Tag Archives: Top 14

Both Ruan Pienaar and the whole of Ulster Rugby were left devastated when the influential scrum-half was denied the chance to see out his career in Belfast. After joining the northern province in 2010, Pienaar’s family settled into life well as the South African became an integral part of the team as well as a fans favourite. However, despite longing …

France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina has received a ban as a result of the red card he picked up for elbowing Aaron Wainwright in the face.  Vahaamahina committed the offence during the second half of Wales’ narrow one-point win over France in the World Cup quarter-final at the weekend. The 28-year-old announced his retirement from international rugby the day after the …

Italian captain Sergio Parisse has signed a one-year contract with Toulon following his exit from Stade Francais, the Top 14 side confirmed on Monday. Parisse called time on his Stade Francais career on Friday after almost 15 years at the club after a reported falling out with South African coach Heyneke Meyer. The 35-year-old has made 258 appearances for the …

Stade Francais have announced that Italy captain Sergio Parisse will leave the club after 15 years.  The 35-year-old has made 258 appearances for the Top 14 side, scoring 238 points. The club released a short statement on Friday. “Stade Français Paris and Sergio Parisse have decided by mutual agreement to put an end to the contract that binds them. 📃Communiqué …

The makeup of the Top 14 playoffs have now been confirmed with the culmination of the regular season this weekend.  After 23 rounds of action, the six sides who have secured a spot in the playoffs are; Toulouse, Clermont Auvergne, Lyon, Racing 92, La Rochelle and Montpellier. As you can see from the below league table, the race for the …

Racing 92 are up to fourth in the Top 14 standings after recording a 45-27 win over Bordeaux at the U-Arena in Paris this afternoon.  The win puts them in good stead ahead of their Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final at home to French rivals Toulouse next Sunday. The Parisian side scored six tries en route to a comprehensive win and …

Scottish scrum-half Greg Laidlaw claimed 18 points as French Top 14 leaders, Clermont, ended La Rochelle’s run of seven straight wins with a five-try, 44-19 victory on Sunday. Laidlaw scored one of his team’s tries and booted two conversions and three penalties — all in the first half — as Clermont stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to three …

Argentina’s Nicolas Sanchez scored 13 points to help Stade Francais stage a comeback against lowly Grenoble at Stade Jean Bouin in the Top 14 on Saturday. The Parisians trailed 17-0 after 21 minutes but Sanchez, who only arrived in the French capital at the beginning of December, guided his side to a third straight win after a run of four …

Simon Zebo has been included in Midi Olympique’s Top 14 team of 2018.  It should come as no surprise as Zebo has performed brilliantly for Racing 92 since he made the move to Paris during the summer. The Corkman has been in scintillating form and has backed that up with plenty of try-scoring exploits throughout the current season. The same …

Forget the mushy Christmas movies and reality shows, if you cannot get to the Stade Marcel-Michelin on Sunday night then find a comfy sofa, commandeer the tv remote and tune in to what promises to be one of the great rugby matches of the season: Clermont against Toulouse. This is Le Grand Choc as Top 14 leaders Clermont, the immoveable …

Paddy Jackson has been linked to a move in England next season according to a report in the French publication, Le Progres.  After 11 games of the current Top 14 season, Perpignan currently lie at the bottom of the table with no wins and just four points to their name. Their most recent loss came to Connacht at the Sportsground …

Simon Zebo and Paddy Jackson have both featured in French newspaper Midi Olympique’s list of best and worst signings made by Top 14 clubs this season.  Zebo, who has proved to be an excellent acquisition for Racing 92 based on his try-scoring exploits for the Parisian club, comes in at number one in the ‘Top’ list beating the likes of …

New Zealand captain Kieran Read is reportedly close to agreeing a short-term deal to take him to French Top 14 side Racing 92 after next year’s World Cup. French publication L’Equipe is reporting that Read is close to inking a seven-month contract with the French club and that he is keen to test himself in the Top 14. They also …

Perpignan lost 22-11 to Bordeaux-Begles on Sunday in a record 11th straight league defeat in one season for a Top 14 club. The Catalans take over from Mont de Marsan who failed to win on 10 occasions in the top-flight in 2012-13. Bordeaux-Begles move up to sixth in the table with their second victory in a row and remain unbeaten …

Clermont Auvergne continued their excellent form this season thanks to a win away to Montpellier where they won out on a 23-28 scoreline.  Wesley Fofana, Damian Penaud and Isaia Toeava all touched down for tries. Morgan Parra kicked 10 points and Camille Lopez slotted a drop goal to secure a victory which sees Clermont go eight points clear at the …

One of the most humiliating weeks in the history of French rugby ends with a sliver of salvation as leaders Clermont head to last season’s beaten finalists Montpellier to kickstart round 11 of the Top 14 on Saturday.  It is a golden chance for the cream of the French game to show that last weekend’s horror show at the Stade …

Paddy Jackson has been linked with a move away from his current club Perpignan should they be relegated from the Top 14 at the end of the season.  Jackson has been plying his trade with Perpignan since his contract was revoked by the IRFU and Ulster Rugby as a result of the fallout from the Belfast rape trial in which …

Toulon’s dreadful start to the season continued with a 13-9 loss at home to La Rochelle on Sunday which left them second-bottom in the Top 14, while Bordeaux brushed aside Lyon. Patrice Collazo’s three-time European champions have now lost five matches in a row after also suffering back-to-back Champions Cup defeats against Edinburgh and Newcastle. Toulon, who have not missed …