Véronique Landew is joined with co-host Bill Hooper on the French Rugby Connections podcast to review a standout Top 14 “classico” week and look ahead to Round 21 with five rounds left, including La Rochelle vs Bordeaux, Clermont vs Lyon, Bayonne vs Pau, Montpellier vs Perpignan, Castres vs Toulouse, and Sunday’s Paris derby Racing 92 vs Stade Français. They discuss the Top 14 table with Toulouse leading on 71 points and a tight chase through the mid-table, plus the pressure around the bottom. They note Antoine Dupont is set to start on the bench for Toulouse at Castres. Off-field, they mention staff fatigue and Frank Azéma, and highlight referee Holly Davidson taking charge of Clermont vs Lyon. The episode also covers Pro D2/playoff talk and a Women’s Six Nations update ahead of Wales vs France on BBC iPlayer, including injury concerns and France’s expected strong showing.

Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the rugby podcast with a Gallic twist and French flair. Established in 2020!

Véronique Landew and co-host Bill Hooper preview a major European rugby weekend as the Champions Cup returns, focusing on Glasgow vs Toulon and the headline quarter-final Bordeaux-Bègles vs Toulouse at Stade Chaban-Delmas, framed as a clash of top-level squads with key matchups and discipline likely decisive. They note Toulouse’s pursuit of another European title, Bordeaux’s ambition for a first, and discuss players including Dupont and Jalibert, plus selection questions across both teams. The episode also touches on the Challenge Cup, including La Rochelle’s loss and Montpellier’s recent European success, before shifting to France women ahead of a Six Nations match vs Italy in Grenoble, highlighting new coaching influence, confidence, and areas like tackling. They close with brief transfer/news mentions and a final call to enjoy the weekend’s rugby.

Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the podcast with the French fair! Established in 2020!

Top 14 Round 20 Preview: Playoff Push, Relegation Battle & Pro D2 Update | French Rugby CONNECTIONS

Veronique Landew and co-host Bill Hooper preview a pivotal Top 14 Round 20 as the league enters the final third of the regular season, with playoff spots, home semifinals to play for, and relegation on the line. They discuss Montpellier’s surge up the table, Toulouse’s need to maintain momentum, Bordeaux’s big win, the crowd’s booing of Romain Ntamack, and the experiment of Damian Penaud playing at centre for added versatility. Key matches highlighted include Toulouse–Montpellier, Lyon–Bordeaux, Bayonne–La Rochelle, Stade Français–Clermont, plus crucial lower-table games such as Perpignan–Toulon and Castres–Mont-de-Marsan. They recap current standings, cover Pro D2 leaders Vannes’ winning streak and playoff picture, note the upcoming Women’s Six Nations squads, mention Serge Blanco’s election as mayor of Biarritz, and reference Johnny Wilkinson’s advocacy around mental health amid coaching pressure. Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS, the rugby podcast with the Gallic Flair. Established in 2020!

00:00 Bonjour Rugby Friends
00:19 Podcast Kickoff
00:40 Season Run In Stakes
01:52 Montpellier Surge
03:03 Bordeaux Toulouse Showdown
04:10 Penaud At Centre
06:07 Weekend Must-Watch Games
07:54 Mid Table Playoff Scramble
11:38 Relegation Battle Explained
13:48 Current Table Recap
14:36 Weekend Fixtures Rundown
15:16 Pro D2 Update Vannes Flying
16:27 Women's Six Nations Preview
17:25 Serge Blanco Elected Mayor
18:14 Jonny Wilkinson And Mental Health
21:33 Au Revoir

France Edge England as Ramos Seals Six Nations Drama | French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast in 22 Minutes.

Veronique Landew and co-host Bill Hooper recap a dramatic Six Nations finale where France beat England with Thomas Ramos’ last-gasp penalty, leaving them emotionally drained after a match decided by the final kick. They praise Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s record nine tries in a single tournament and note Ramos finishing as top points scorer on 74 with around 87.5% kicking accuracy, while also discussing France’s attacking strengths and defensive concerns, including costly interceptions under pressure. They credit England’s improved performance despite a difficult campaign and call the tournament one of the most dramatic in years. The episode also previews upcoming Top 14 fixtures and standings, mentions contract extensions, celebrates France U20s’ Grand Slam, and looks ahead to the Women’s Six Nations. Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the rugby podcast with the French flair! Established in 2020!

00:00 Bonjour Rugby Friends!
00:45 Ramos Delivers
02:07 Bielle Biarrey Record
04:50 France Strengths Weaknesses
06:26 Defence Under Pressure
08:36 England Response
10:45 Tournament Wrap Up
12:07 Top 14 Returns
13:56 Table Talk Relegation
18:28 Club News U20 Grand Slam
21:29 Looking Ahead Womens Six Nations
22:14 Allez, Aurevoir Rugby Friends!

France Stunned by Scotland, Then La Crunch Preview: Can Les Bleus Still Win the Six Nations?

20 MINUTES LONG!

In this episode of the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, Veronique Landew and co-host Bill Hooper react to France’s shock loss to Scotland at Murrayfield—ending Grand Slam hopes—while crediting Scotland’s intensity, France’s poor defense and discipline, and small disruptions in preparation. They note France’s late rally to secure a try bonus point that could still prove decisive, and turn to “Le Crunch” in Paris versus England, with France still able to win the Six Nations. The discussion covers squad changes, including Anthony Jelonch's injury, Oscar Jegou's suspension, and debutante, Temo Matiu from Union Bordeaux Begles, plus concerns about strip colors. They also review England’s historic loss to Italy, Italy’s progress, French club bankruptcies, and the death of 1968 Grand Slam captain Claude Lacaze.
Enjoy the French rugby CONNECTIONS, the rugby podcast with the Gallic flair! Established in 2020!

France Cruise Past Italy: Six Nations Momentum, Squad Depth & Top 14/Pro D2 Updates

Veronique Landew nd co-host Bill Hooper recap France’s 38–8 win over Italy, noting three bonus-point wins from three, a high-pace attacking style, and a defense that has conceded five tries so far. They praise France’s tempo, power, and depth, highlighting a standout try-scorer’s pace and record run, DuPont’s influence, and Mickaël Guillard’s solid debut try, while acknowledging France misses Jalibert after his late withdrawal and still needs to tidy loose ball and ruck moments. They credit Italy’s improved competitiveness and preview the Murrayfield test that could secure the Six Nations title with another bonus-point win. The episode also covers the Top 14 round 18 fixtures and standings led by Toulouse, Pro D2’s Vannes vs Colomiers clash, French rugby news, including injuries, coaching moves, transfers, and the U20s staying on course for a Grand Slam.

Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the rugby podcast with the Gallic flavour and the French Flair! Established in 2020!

France vs Italy Preview: Squad Changes, Six Nations Weekend & Top 14 Updates | French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast!

French Rugby in 22 mins!

Veronique Landew and co-host Bill Hooper preview France vs Italy in Lille at Stade Pierre-Mauroy with the roof closed, noting France’s last Lille match was a 13–13 draw with Italy in the 2023 World Cup. They discuss Fabien Galthié’s squad changes, including strengthening the second row by moving Ollivon and Guillard to the bench and bringing in Flament and Emmanuel Meafou to add STRENGTH against Italy’s powerful pack. They review Italy’s strong start to the Six Nations (win over Scotland and a close loss to Ireland with a bonus point), the return of Ange Capuozzo at fullback, and Italy’s overall rise after past calls to replace them with Georgia.

The episode also previews England vs Ireland at Twickenham and Wales vs Scotland in Cardiff, discusses a postponed Top 14 match (Perpignan vs Pau) rescheduled due to Storm Pedro, and covers club rugby updates: Toulouse staying top despite missing internationals, Vannes leading Pro D2 after a 26–0 win over Caen and traveling to Biarritz, disciplinary point deductions for some clubs, and sad news of Saubusse in National 3 facing administration. They also note coaching turmoil at Bayonne with Grégory Patat dismissed, Toulon’s struggles, and Montpellier’s surge up the Top 14 table.

Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS, the rugby podcast with the French flair and the Gallic Twist! Established in 2020!

Six Nations Preview & Top 14 Roundup | French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast in 30 minutes!

Véronique is joined by Bill Hooper, co-host of the French Rugby CONNECTIONS podcast, ahead of a major Six Nations weekend. They look back at France’s recent performance and discuss Fabien Galthié’s selections and tactical approach, including concerns about intensity, bench impact, and avoiding the same mistakes as the previous match. The conversation also touches on the state of Welsh rugby and what might help rebuild talent and structure. They then shift to the Top 14, reviewing the table and key storylines—tight points, big clubs under pressure, returning injured players, and standout performances—before closing with support for Les Bleus.
Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS, the rugby podcast with the French flair and a Gallic/Celtic twist. Established in 2020!