For a brief moment, though, France basked. Comeback king Brice Dulin was named player of the tournament. The rugby Press ran back-slapping pieces – one highlighting the relative strengths of France’s ‘First XV’, its ‘replacements XV’ and its ‘substitutes XV’ was a particular favourite.
Pundits fell over themselves competing to rain plaudits on everyone and anyone connected with France’s squads. Those English Press ‘farce’ headlines were gently mocked. The gloire shone all around, and was – if headlines in New Zealand are anything to go by – noticed as far away as the southern hemisphere.
And Six Nations’ Grand Slam dreams were dreamt, as France coach Fabien Galthie – in a pointed barb at the clubs – called the national side the ‘shop window’ of French rugby live on post-match TV.
But, within days of that sonear, so-far, loser-takes-most match at Twickenham, its referee Andrew Brace was pulled from a Champions Cup match in Toulouse later this month following online abuse from French trolls, Top 14 clubs heard bad news from the French Prime Minister, and the old club-v-country row roared back at the top of the rugby agenda.
Brace had been due to referee the repeat of October’s Champions Cup semi-final between Toulouse and Exeter on Sunday, December 20, at Stade Ernest Wallon. But a torrent of shameful abuse – some of it on an online obituary for his father – prompted European Professional Club Rugby, which organises the two European competitions, to switch him to Wasps v Mont pellier, with Mike Adamson heading to Toulouse instead.
Denne historien er fra December 13, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 13, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
