Brits abroad

[Which Tyler]

I hadn't realised that Gopperth had picked up another contract. Fair play to him for keeping going - he'll be the first 50 year old pro rugby player at this rate.

Doubt it - Graham Dawe is already (believed to be) the first 50 year old pro player

[FKAS]

Although Jimmy Gooperth isn’t a true Brit, he’s well-known and well-respected in the Premiership, and he’s playing fly half for Provence Rugby in round 6 of ProD2 this evening, and if his side wins, they’ll be top of the table. Ex Saint Teimana Harrison will wear 8 for Provence this evening.

I hadn't realised that Gopperth had picked up another contract. Fair play to him for keeping going - he'll be the first 50 year old pro rugby player at this rate.

Puja

Joins another ex-Tiger Johnny McPhillips there. Tomas Francis is heading down there post world cup as well.

[francoisfou]

Jonathan Joseph will play at 12 for Biarritz Olympique this evening in their ProD2 match at runaway leaders Vannes. Not sure, but this could be his first game for his new club. Elsewhere, Semesa Rokoduguni another ex Bath player, is on the wing for Montauban away to Grenoble. For Provence, Jimmy Gopperth is on the bench and Teimana Harrison at 8 in their home match against Béziers. Ex Tiger and Western Force fullback, George Worth, will be on the bench for Valence-Romans away to Mont de Marsan.

[Puja]

Sutherland has signed for Oyonnax, thus ending any hope that Leicester would be using injury cap for him.

Puja

[Beasties]

Jonathan Joseph will play at 12 for Biarritz Olympique this evening in their ProD2 match at runaway leaders Vannes. Not sure, but this could be his first game for his new club. Elsewhere, Semesa Rokoduguni another ex Bath player, is on the wing for Montauban away to Grenoble. For Provence, Jimmy Gopperth is on the bench and Teimana Harrison at 8 in their home match against Béziers. Ex Tiger and Western Force fullback, George Worth, will be on the bench for Valence-Romans away to Mont de Marsan.

Gopperth’s still going? What a guy.

[jngf]

Jack Willis had a cracking Top14 final yesterday evening in Paris, which Toulouse won at the death with a piece of individual brilliance from Romain Ntamack. Wonder if Stevie Blunder was watching Willis secure a place in England’s first choice back row. Wouldn’t it be good to see both Jack and Tom wearing white?!

It wouldn't. We need to ensure the rule stays in place. He might be good, but Jack needs to be excluded from England duty until he returns now.

The exception runs until the end of the world cup so he's available until then. After that I completely agree, if you chose to play overseas then you make yourself unavailable. Harsh on Jack Willis, a little bit but the RFU need to protect English professional rugby.

In pointefact by refusing to pick some of their best players (eg Willis and Simmonds brothers) to keep stodgy club rugby on life support RFU seem to be completely ballsing it up imo

[Puja]

It wouldn't. We need to ensure the rule stays in place. He might be good, but Jack needs to be excluded from England duty until he returns now.

The exception runs until the end of the world cup so he's available until then. After that I completely agree, if you chose to play overseas then you make yourself unavailable. Harsh on Jack Willis, a little bit but the RFU need to protect English professional rugby.

In pointefact by refusing to pick some of their best players (eg Willis and Simmonds brothers) to keep stodgy club rugby on life support RFU seem to be completely ballsing it up imo

If we only had Joe Simmonds, we'd be favourites against South Africa.

Puja

[p/d]

The exception runs until the end of the world cup so he's available until then. After that I completely agree, if you chose to play overseas then you make yourself unavailable. Harsh on Jack Willis, a little bit but the RFU need to protect English professional rugby.

In pointefact by refusing to pick some of their best players (eg Willis and Simmonds brothers) to keep stodgy club rugby on life support RFU seem to be completely ballsing it up imo

If we only had Joe Simmonds, we'd be favourites against South Africa.

Puja

Well at least he has played at fb

[francoisfou]

There are a few Brits in today’s Top14 fixtures: Sam Simmonds and Elliot Stooke we’re both in Montpellier’s starting XV at home to Racing (a 16-19 loss); Ben White was on the bench for Toulon in their big 41-7 win at home against Oyonnax, for whom Sutherland was on the bench; Ali Crossdale started for Perpignan at home to Pau for whom Joe Simmonds, Dan Robson and Haydn Thompson- Stringer started (39-24 win for Pau); Jack Nowell is on the wing for La Rochelle at home to Castres (currently 24-24 midway through the second half); Billy Searle will play 10 for Toulouse in this evening’s game at home to Union Bordeaux/Bègles.

[Margin_Walker]

There are a few Brits in today’s Top14 fixtures: Sam Simmonds and Elliot Stooke we’re both in Montpellier’s starting XV at home to Racing (a 16-19 loss); Ben White was on the bench for Toulon in their big 41-7 win at home against Oyonnax, for whom Sutherland was on the bench; Ali Crossdale started for Perpignan at home to Pau for whom Joe Simmonds, Dan Robson and Haydn Thompson- Stringer started (39-24 win for Pau); Jack Nowell is on the wing for La Rochelle at home to Castres (currently 24-24 midway through the second half); Billy Searle will play 10 for Toulouse in this evening’s game at home to Union Bordeaux/Bègles.

That will never not sound weird.

[francoisfou]

Biarritz are playing Agen this evening in round 9 of ProD2. Zach Kibirige and Charlie Matthews are in the starting XV with Jonathan Joseph on the bench.

[francoisfou]

Round 5 of the Top14 is to be played this weekend:

Racing v Lyon - Christian Wade on the wing and Will Rowlands on the bench for Racing and Paddy Jackson at 10 for Lyon

Bordeaux/Bègles v Montpellier - Sam Simmonds at 8 and Elliot Stooke at 4 for Montpellier

Oyonnax v la Rochelle - Jack Nowell will wear 13 for La Rochelle (He'll be in the back row next week!)

Perpignan v Toulon - Ali Crossdale at 11 for Perpignan and for Toulon Dan Biggar and Ben White are half backs with Kieran Brookes on the bench

Pau v Toulouse is on Sunday and the teams haven't been announced yet.

[FKAS]

Zach Henry is at 10 for Stade Francais Vs Castres as well.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Round 5 of the Top14 is to be played this weekend:

Racing v Lyon - Christian Wade on the wing and Will Rowlands on the bench for Racing and Paddy Jackson at 10 for Lyon

Bordeaux/Bègles v Montpellier - Sam Simmonds at 8 and Elliot Stooke at 4 for Montpellier

Oyonnax v la Rochelle - Jack Nowell will wear 13 for La Rochelle (He'll be in the back row next week!)

Perpignan v Toulon - Ali Crossdale at 11 for Perpignan and for Toulon Dan Biggar and Ben White are half backs with Kieran Brookes on the bench

Pau v Toulouse is on Sunday and the teams haven't been announced yet.

Nowell played 13 last week against Castres. Had a good game.

[francoisfou]

Dan Robson and Joe Simmonds are the half backs in Pau's starting XV at home to Toulouse this evening.

[francoisfou]

Round 10 of Pro D2 this weekend:

JJ on the bench and Zach Kibirige on the wing for Biarritz at home to Dax.
Ex Scotland centre Sam Johnson at 12 for Brive and Ross Moriarty on the bench for Brive at home against Angoulême.
Jimmy Gopperth at 10, Teimana Harrison 8 and Jonny McPhilips on the bench for Provence at home to Aurillac.
Ex Tiger George Worth at 14 for Valence Romans away to Grenoble

[Puja]

Oh that's where George Worth's ended up! I hope he's doing well - always appeared to work hard at Leicester.

Puja

[francoisfou]

Brits selected for this weekend’s round 6 in the Top14: La Rochelle - Jack Nowell 14; Montpellier - Sam Simmonds 8, Elliot Stooke 4; Pau - Joe Simmonds 10, Dan Robson 21; Stade Français - Zach Henry 10. Toulon play Racing on Sunday evening and the teams haven’t been announced yet.

[FKAS]

Interested to see if Arundell and Wade will be combining for Racing.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Brits selected for this weekend’s round 6 in the Top14: La Rochelle - Jack Nowell 14; Montpellier - Sam Simmonds 8, Elliot Stooke 4; Pau - Joe Simmonds 10, Dan Robson 21; Stade Français - Zach Henry 10. Toulon play Racing on Sunday evening and the teams haven’t been announced yet.

Arundell staring at 14

[Mellsblue]

Ffs lol

[francoisfou]

Brits selected for this weekend’s round 6 in the Top14: La Rochelle - Jack Nowell 14; Montpellier - Sam Simmonds 8, Elliot Stooke 4; Pau - Joe Simmonds 10, Dan Robson 21; Stade Français - Zach Henry 10. Toulon play Racing on Sunday evening and the teams haven’t been announced yet.

Arundell staring at 14

Ribbans on the bench for Toulon.

[francoisfou]

Zach Henry (Stade Français) and Joe Simmonds (Pau) had good days with the boot in helping their sides to impressive wins in yesterday's matches.
Henry scored 21 points in SF's away win at Lyon 36-32 and Simmonds with an important 10 in their home win over Bordeaux/Bègles.

These two sides are equal first in the Top14 on 22 points.

I should also add that Joe Marchant was in SF's starting XV.

[Margin_Walker]

Racing manage to pass Arundell the ball. Getting well beaten though. Lancaster's team 27 - 7 down to Toulon at HT with a man in the bin.

[Mellsblue]

Toulon must be sick of the sight of him!