Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the rugby podcast with the French flair and va-va voum, with Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper!

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On the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, in 19 minutes, Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper recap a newsworthy Top 14 week, led by Pierre Mignoni’s resignation at Toulon after a 28–0 loss to Montpellier and concerns about players attitudes; Toulon responded with a 29–15 win over Racing as Franck this weekend. They review Bordeaux Bègles’ first away win, 23–22 at Clermont, highlighting Maxime Lucu’s 13 points and try plus strong defense, while noting Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s quieter, injury-affected game and mentioning young Louis Vermeulen. La Rochelle beat Lyon 28–16 with Antoine Hastoy starring; Pau stayed top after beating Castres 35–26; Stade Français beat Montpellier but lost three players to injury; Vannes remained bottom after a 21–12 loss to Perpignan. They preview Toulouse–Bayonne, Pro D2 leaders Oyonnax, and upcoming European fixtures, plus news on Christophe Urios extending at Clermont, Sean Edwards joining Argentina, and Cyril Baille linked to Bayonne.

Top 14 Roundup: Vannes’ Near-Miracle vs Pau, Toulouse Survive Castres & UBB Run Riot

Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper recap a dramatic Top 14 weekend, starting with Vannes’ huge second-half rally from 14–40 down to lose 40–43 to Pau, earning an attacking bonus point. They note Vannes’ cleaner discipline but highlight lineout issues and look ahead to a key trip to Perpignan. They discuss Toulouse’s 8–7 derby win at Castres with an inexperienced lineup, Bordeaux-Bègles’ 51–28 win over Lyon with eight tries and Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s versatility, Racing 92’s 55–25 win over Perpignan in Créteil, and La Rochelle’s 38–13 win over Clermont amid Ronan O’Gara refereeing complaints. They also cover Bayonne’s 35–32 win over Stade Français, preview Montpellier vs Toulon at La Mosson, mention Jack Willis winning Player of the Year at the Nuit du Rugby, and review the current league standings.

Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the podcast with the French Flair!

No Ads! Established in 2020!

Join Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper, as we explore this weekend's games, exciting rivalries, and noteworthy players in 21 mins!

This weekend, the French Top 14 scene is abuzz with anticipation as we dive into the fourth round. Notably, two key teams, Toulon and Vannes, will face off in what promises to be a gripping match. More about Pro D2, women's rugby game against Canada and the latest French Rugby News! Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the rugby podcast with the French flair and va-va-voum! NO ADS - Established in 2020!

Join Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper as they break down all the action from Round 2 and reveal what lies ahead for Round 3, in just 22 minutes

A few teams hit some unexpected turbulence this round—ouch!—but remember, this is just the beginning. There’s still plenty of time to turn things around, adjust strategies, and climb the leaderboard.

Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the rugby podcast with the Gallic twist and the French Flair!

No ads! Established in 2020!

Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper launch season seven of the French Rugby Connection Podcast by recapping Top 14 round one and key rugby news in 19 Minutes!

19 minutes long! No ads! Established in 2020!

Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the rugby podcast with the Gallic twist and va-va-voum!

Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the rugby podcast with the French flair and the va-va-voum! No ADS! Established in 2020!

Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper review France’s end-of-season tour, highlighted by a 42–15 win over Japan after a narrow loss to New Zealand and a bonus-point record win over Australia, leaving Les Bleus top of the Northern table and having scored 16 tries in three matches. They discuss Fabien Galthié’s successful experiments (Jalibert at 15, Ntamack at 10) and standout newcomers such as Aaron Grand-Didier Kanong, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Gazotti, Lamothe, and other scrum-half options, noting the squad’s depth despite missing stars like Dupont and Ramos. They praise the competitive new Nations Championship format but flag defense as a work in progress after Shaun Edwards’ departure, with Joffrey Dumauru mentioned. They preview November tests (Fiji, South Africa, Argentina), discuss Vannes’ Brittany pre-season tour and local rugby growth, and recap France U20s losing a tight final to South Africa.

Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the rugby podcast with the gallic flair! 15 mins long! NO ADS

Established in 2020!

Véronique Landew and Bill Hooper recap Toulouse’s latest title win over a tenacious Montpellier and note Toulouse’s chance to break a 1990s-era record with a fifth consecutive Top 14 win next year. They then review the inaugural Nations Championship match in which New Zealand beat France 34–32, praising France’s fast start (Penaud try inside 60 seconds) but citing missed tackles, getting drawn into rucks, limited width in attack, fatigue after a long season, and a late switch from Lucu to Le Garrec; they highlight Jallibert’s kicking and a missed wide conversion, and expect Dupont to return against Australia. Regarding French rugby news, France U20s beat Fiji 45–15 and Spain 57–32, with a racist-abuse allegation under World Rugby review, and face Australia on 7 July. They discuss Champions/Challenge Cup draws and Toulouse’s 2.88m-euro salary-cap fine linked to image-rights issues.

Top 14 Final Preview & French Rugby NEWS in 18 minutes! NO ADS.

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

Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper preview the Top 14 final at a hot, muggy Stade de France between regular-season top two Toulouse and Montpellier, noting an alcohol-free perimeter and mandatory hydration breaks for the players. They discuss Toulouse’s experience (fourth straight final, aiming for a fourth consecutive title; record 24 French championships) and selection, including Ramos on the bench and Ntamack likely kicking, plus a strong bench, while mentioning inquiries into salary-cap/image-rights issues affecting Antoine Dupont and Anthony Jelonch. Montpellier’s resurgence is highlighted after nearly being relegated, their 2022 title, Bernard Laporte’s influence, a powerful pack and back row featuring Billy Vunipola, and their earlier 44–14 win over Toulouse. They give score predictions, recall Toulouse’s 2011 final win, and cover news on Fabien Galthie finalizing a France squad for New Zealand, the U20 World Cup (France vs Fiji), and the French women’s final.
Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the podcast with the French Flair! NO ADS! Established in 2020!

00:00 Bonjour, Rugby Friends!
00:48 Final Top 14 ce soir
01:33 Stade de France without alcool
01:55 Toulouse wants to make history
03:53 Squads Review and favourite to win?
05:46 Salary cap's bad smell
07:26 XV de départ Toulouse
08:30 Montpellier like a phoenix
11:44 MHR - Back to basics
12:15 Montpellier's quad & who is likely to win?
15:19 What? Another competition for Les Bleus down under?
16:45 Other Rugby News
17:17 Where can you see the Top 14 final?
18:18 Au revoir, Rugby Friends!