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.
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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.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
