Rugby Union, France, Top 14.

[Snodser]

Saw the last half hour, CO definitely played below ther usual standard, Teulet was invisible. Toulouse were unrecognisable despite having some key players on the pitch. They played to win but did not play "Toulouse".

I'll try & get back for the weekend but its a long weekend in this part of the world & there are some "family" commitments.

If I can I'll post some picks, bets of luck to you all in all the leagues.....

[Doc]

not sure if I'll have time tomorrow, so here is my thoughts on tomorrow nights game:

Clermont haven't won in Biarritz in a long time, and they'll have doubts in their minds after losing at home to Castres last week. Biarritz badly need a win after losing last week away to Perpignan, or they're in real danger of being overtaken by Castres and possibly even Montauban. For a side as big as the basques not to qualify for Europe would be unthinkable, but the even bigger incentive is to catch Perpignan in the race for the Brennus. With only 6 games left, they're running out of time and they're unlikely to be granted any slack by a Clermont side who are trying to stay ahead of Toulouse. Tough one to call, but I think last weeks loss will be a wake-up call for Clermont. They've a ton of firepower to counteract Biarritz strong defence and Biarritz lack of cutting edge in attack might cost them.
Recommended Bet
Clermont +2 @ 1.91 with Ladbrokes

[Snodser]

Biarritz v Clermont:

Clermont, straight win.

[Snodser]

Auch +2
Albi +24
Usap win
CBSJ -13

[Doc]

Albi +26 with Laddies
Auch +4 with Skybet
Bourgoin -13 with PaddyPower
Perpignan -2 with Skybet

we're more less in accord I see Snodser - you're killing yourself with inferior prices though - would you not open some new accounts?

[Snodser]

Brive v Stade Francais:

No team news as yet but Brive are capable of pulling a fast one here.

More tomorow .

[redroar]

Just saw the teamsheets for tonights game and it looks like about ten second choice players for Stade! Brive are hovering over the relegation zone and even though their form is poor and stades is good I think they'll see this as a must win game. Home form the great leveler in france, brive to sneak it.

Brive 10/11 7pts

[Snodser]

Fair play redroar, you're reading my mind .

This game was up with Brive +3 BS last night, I thought it "a bit surprising" and said "it'll wait till tomorrow".

Now -1 10/11 BS.

7pts Brive 10/11 PP . (I also checked Coral, Ladbrokes & WH Doc!)


Just a quick word on the teams.

SF: El Mago is resting along with Taylor, Parisse, Roncero & Martin.
There is the usual bus load of injuries (16 players on average since the start of the season !)
Beauxis is not a bad n°10 and Pape & Arias are back. Weak bench where there are at least four lads who have yet to cut themselves shaving .

Mind you Paris have been playing very poorly recently, but still won their last 7 .


CAB: Under pressure. Still not 100% certain to stay up & have a tough run in.
They are pretty much at full strenght with Ben Cohen holding the fort at the back, not the greatest safety net I know but compared to the alternatives..........

The only real worry is at 10. Orquera is still out and that leaves Petitjean. Now that may mean "Little John" in english but he is anything but.
The only thing that stands out is his nose (could hang your hat on it). He is not that bad around the field and he does kick the penalties........................... you just never know where they are going to go...............

Anyway, GL to all .

[Snodser]

17/05/08.

2pm
Clemont v Perpignan

4.30pm
Toulouse v Montauban
Montpelier v Bourgoin
Bayonne v Castres
Albi v Auch

5.35pm
Dax v Biarritz ??? (slight penchant for Dax)


In bold those whom at first glance appear to be favorites. More after a bit of reading

and a few cold beers

for inspirational purposes only

[Snodser]

Originally Posted by Snodser

17/05/08 2pm
Clemont v Perpignan

I've backed Perpignan before on this sort of h-cap and they have won the game. Not sure they will do so tomorrow but they will be after the defensive bonus to keep Biarritz at bay. There defense against BO was outstanding & Clermont have (for the first time this season) a full sickbay.

USAP +11 10/11 PP or BS.

Originally Posted by Snodser

4.30pm
Toulouse v Montauban
Montpelier v Bourgoin
Bayonne v Castres
Albi v Auch

In view of the h-caps proposed by the bookies for the above games I'm going to wait until we get some proper team news tomorrow before taking any action.

Originally Posted by Snodser

5.35pm
Dax v Biarritz ??? (slight penchant for Dax)

Do or die time for our washing powder(or was that Dash?), meanwhile BO are trying to stem the smell of rot.

I have to admit that in view of the number of ex Biarritz players on the field for Dax coupled to some injury and political worries in the Basque country that a home win is not impossible.
That said I'm taking Dax +6 PP 10/11. (maybe a last minute bet on Dax to win, we'll see how it goes )

A bientôt,

[Snodser]

Originally Posted by Snodser

7pts Brive 10/11 PP . but still won their last 7 .

HT Brive 5 - 0 SF

Cohen playing very well, just dropped 2 balls . Turns out Petitjean is not at 10, chap by the name of "doormat" in english. Well he may know how to wipe his feet but he has no idea where the posts are . Brive have all the ball, are killing Stade in the scrum and seriously upsetting them in the lineout but have a 5 pt lead instead of 15/20 that they should have .
If they lose this they have no-one to blame but themselves. Paris nearly got a try on the break just before ht.

Painfull

[redroar]

Hardly the prettiest game to watch but a good start to the weekend none the less.

[Snodser]

Brive get the job done : 11-3

But God was it painful to watch.
I don't know if this saves CAB's season or if Paris deserve a place in the semi's. One thing I can say is that tonights game was almost as exciting as a game of soccer, or paint drying, or grass growing............whatever you're into yourself.

[Snodser]

"The rain, today, falls mainly on the rugby pitch..........."

Its bucketing down, a real summers day.........

Rain everywhere and a possibility of lightning down in Montpellier.

Have to have a look at those h-caps.

[Doc]

didn't get to post last night - nice pick Snodser!

For the first two games I'm going to go with Castres +2 and Clermont -11, so we're in opposition

Daz was the washing powder I think!

more to follow in the next hour or so.........