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Rosbifs Rugby
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French Rugby in English:
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Top 14 Teams in the Champions Cup — explained! 🇫🇷🏉

If your club is facing a French side in Europe this season, this thread is for you.

We’ve created short guides for every French side in Europe to help non-French fans understand who you’re up against 👇
Two late changes for Pau, and two big ones.

Montoya out, Lucas Rey in - probs helps their lineout, but de-powers the scrum and breakdown.

Maddocks out, Valentino in - they’ll lose a bit of physicality in midfield there.
🐂🏔️PAU Team News!

This *could* be one of the games of the round. Pau have gone semi strong. Most notably their French internationals and best JIFF players are rested.
>Jolmes needs to fire
>Back row has work rate for days
>Desperes’s tactical kicking game with Arfeuil will be 🔑
>Plenty of pace
December 7, 2025 at 1:06 PM
What’s worse: sending a weakened side for the second round of the tournament or for the first round when all eventualities are possible?

From the Tigers fan half of Rosbifs, very disappointed with the side they sent over to France - even worse given La Rochelle’s form coming in to this weekend.
La Rochelle's Gregory Alldritt to be rested for the trip to the Stormers

They leave for Cape Town tomorrow at 1pm tomorrow

Sending a weakened side in just the second round of a tournament is never a good look, especially for the competition

#ChampionsCup
December 7, 2025 at 12:23 PM
He played like a man who was enjoying himself and finding things pretty easy.

Being 30kg (or 25%) heavier than your opposite man probably helps a bit too…
"Bizarrely it was much easier than I thought it would be"

Atonio on his first game back

#ChampionsCup
According to L'Equipe, Uini Atonio will make his injury return, after six months out, against Leicester in the #ChampionsCup on Saturday

Nolann Le Garrec not back until December 20

www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...
December 7, 2025 at 12:21 PM
🐂🏔️PAU Team News!

This *could* be one of the games of the round. Pau have gone semi strong. Most notably their French internationals and best JIFF players are rested.
>Jolmes needs to fire
>Back row has work rate for days
>Desperes’s tactical kicking game with Arfeuil will be 🔑
>Plenty of pace
December 7, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Top 14 Teams in the Challenge Cup — explained! 🇫🇷🏉

If your club is facing a French side in Europe this season, this thread is for you.

We’ve created short guides for every French side in Europe to help non-French fans understand who you’re up against 👇

#InvestecChampionsCup
December 6, 2025 at 2:16 PM
⛵️LA ROCHELLE Team News

Unsurprisingly, is as strong as they can go, given injuries and suspensions.
>Plenty of their breakdown threats available
>West & Lleyds have been in sparkling form
>Atonio returns for first game this season - HUGE boost
>19yo fly half Jurd is amazing
December 6, 2025 at 12:15 PM
🍇BORDEAUX Team News

Very disappointing that UBB don’t start their defence with a game at home…WTF!? 😡

BUT they have gone full noise for their trip to Pretoria 👏🏼
>Moefana returns for 1st time this season!
>Palu & Woki have been great this season
>Keep an eye on Matiu 🧨
December 6, 2025 at 12:05 PM
🌋CLERMONT Team News

Clermont have actually gone pretty strong for this game - could be a cracker!

> First choice half backs are critical to how they play
> Changed up pack, but still plenty of power
> Moala returns to the bench 🧨🔥👀

Clermont poor on the road generally - Sarries strong favourites
December 6, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Top 14 Teams in the Champions Cup — explained! 🇫🇷🏉

If your club is facing a French side in Europe this season, this thread is for you.

We’ve created short guides for every French side in Europe to help non-French fans understand who you’re up against 👇
December 5, 2025 at 8:03 PM
#PROD2 Round 13 🔮

Just the 18 games left in PROD2 then, kicking off with fancied Colomiers vs a Grenoble side building back to full strength.

Oyonnax and Provence will fancy their chances away on recent form, whilst SAXV will surely respond after some firm words last week!
December 4, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Think this is a net positive from a Pau perspective. 🤔

Gailleton has been excellent this season, while Desperes is ever improving as the back up to Simmonds - he was even fly half in Top 14 team of the month.
December 4, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Reposted by Rosbifs Rugby
According to L'Equipe, Uini Atonio will make his injury return, after six months out, against Leicester in the #ChampionsCup on Saturday

Nolann Le Garrec not back until December 20

www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...
Stade Rochelais : Atonio va rejouer, Sazy dans le staff pour la mêlée
Absent des terrains depuis la fin de saison dernière en raison d'une désinsertion à l'ischio-jambier, Uini Atonio va effectuer son retour à la compétition. Selon nos informations, le pilier du Stade R...
www.lequipe.fr
December 3, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Portugal v Uruguay feels like such a Pro D2 fan choice for game of the tournament.

They even put those 2 teams in Group D to help people work it out!
Also, potential hidden bangers.

Personally I'm all in for Portugal v Uruguay. #HipstersChoice
December 3, 2025 at 11:43 AM
🗞️MUST READ No.2!

Second article recommendation for your Wednesday morning. Slightly biased recommendation this one, because its written by us!

Still check it out, cos last weekend was MAD! 🤯

The Rosbifs Round Up of the weekend is on All Things Rugby

allthingsrugby.com/news/rosbifs...
Rosbifs Round Up: Headbutts, Kung-Fu & Angry Coaches
There we were thinking that the big news in French rugby over the weekend would be the return to the playing field of Antoine Dupont - we should have... | All Things Rugby
allthingsrugby.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Crazy stuff this. Will put him at 5 clubs in just over 2 seasons.

Incredible talent, was a class apart in a very very good France U20s side.

Wonder why he can’t seem to settle anywhere in #Top14
December 3, 2025 at 8:49 AM
🗞️ MUST READ!

This is an absolute cracker of an article by @elgantimes.bsky.social about Toulouse’s 🇪🇸 tight head Joel Merkler.

🔥

www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-...
Meet Spanish prop with English dad who is part of Toulouse machine
Rugby may ignore the Spanish national team but Joel Merkler cannot be dismissed, having been key cog in Top 14 club’s domestic domination and European success
www.thetimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:47 AM
🚨New Pod🚨

The Champions Cup is here and we're delighted to be joined by Tigers 10 Billy Searle ahead of their trip to La Rochelle!

- Settling into life at Leicester
- A mad two seasons in France
- Top 14 Winning Merch!

+ The usual 🇫🇷 mumblings.

🎧👇
linktr.ee/rosbifsrugby
December 2, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Gailleton has an unfortunate habit of picking up injuries when he is playing his absolute best rugby
December 2, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Cracker of a game top kick off Top 14 Round 11!

Lenni Nouchi the stand out man (yet again!) for MHR.

Jalibert threatened to steal the show - he was fizzing - but for 2nd week in a row, UBB lineout lets them down at the crucial moment, 5m out with the line (& win) at their mercy.
November 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
🗞️ Top 14 TEAM NEWS

Plenty to digest, more than just the return of the 🐐

Check out all the line ups and what it all means in our article for All Things Rugby👇

Let us know your thoughts please 🙏

allthingsrugby.com/news/top-14-...
Top 14 Preview | Round 11
Team announcements for the Top 14 on a Friday evening signal the end of the working week and the start of a weekend of rugby gluttony. Top 14 clubs ha... | All Things Rugby
allthingsrugby.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:01 PM
TOP 14 Round 11 🔮

Looking distinctly homewinsy, but post Autumn internationals and pre EPCR 🏆, who might sneak one on the road?

All eyes on the Ernest Wallon, as you-know-who returns, and a rare Sunday fixture for Pau, flying high and keen to add La Rochelle to their hitlist…

Mini preview on YT👇
November 29, 2025 at 10:02 AM
As if the Paris Cornichon Festival is a real thing 🤯

Love it! 😂😍
Why did Patrick Arlettaz’s attack lack fluidity?

What was the problem with Shaun Edwards’ leaky defence?

How can you concede so many penalties with former Test referee Jérôme Garcès on board?

What is the general gameplan?

illtuddafydd.substack.com/p/le-debrief...
Le debrief: France's November
A disjointed campaign ended with more questions than answers
illtuddafydd.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Reposted by Rosbifs Rugby
Everyone's very excited about Antoine Dupont's Toulouse return - and quite rightly - but Saturday night's #Top14 match against Racing 92 will be emotional for another reason.

It's Pita Ahki's last outing before he returns to New Zealand

He's not played since Nov1, but Midol reckons he'll start
November 27, 2025 at 5:08 PM
PROD2 Round 12 🔮

5 away wins last time out, but surely a reversion to type this week?! Rob going all home wins…

Colomiers will fancy their chances at Brive, as will Mont-de-Marsan, who need a result away in the Landes Derby.

Expecting plenty of points, and a surprise in there somewhere!
November 27, 2025 at 7:42 PM
🏉 Thursday night lights are shining on Brive as they prepare to take on Colomiers in a crucial Pro D2 clash!

Discover the rich history between these two clubs and how recent coaching changes could impact Brive's season.

Read the full article online now! 👇

allthingsrugby.com/news/pro-d2-...
Pro D2 Round 12 Preview - Thursday Night Lights - Brive v Colomiers
Pro D2 is back this Thursday night with 8th placed Brive hosting high-flying Colomiers at the Stade Amédée-Domenech.The town of Brive-la-Gaillarde is... | All Things Rugby
allthingsrugby.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:17 PM