Rosbifs Rugby

France took a hammering down in Wellington, and having vociferously defended Galthie and co up now, those in Rosbif towers aren't happy about this one! A double dose of disappointment at the hands of New Zealand was confirmed in the U20s but in more exciting news, the fixture announcements are here, as are an angry swarm of bees in the Cantal... 02:15 - New Zealand v France 2nd Test Review 20:01 -...

Transpires there is depth in French rugby! Les Bleus 2nds/3rds/Under 9s (depending on who you listen to) gave the All Blacks an almighty scare down in Dunedin. We get into all of that and why, despite such promise, things may be ominous for the rest of the series. Then its the BIG ONE! The much awaited 'Rosbifs Rugby Top14 Team of the Season'. Which big hitters miss out and which unheralded favour...

The curtain came down on the Top14 season is the most spectacular of fashion, Stade Toulousain and Union Bordeaux Bègles battling out a classic under the Parisian lights. We try and dissect an all-timer of final, with some incredible individual performances both on the pitch and in the bar afterwards. For those of a lower league disposition, we have our PROD2 team of the season, plus transfer rumo...

The Demi-finales are done and dusted, leaving us to salivate over the showpiece in the French Rugby calendar this weekend, where it's Goliath vs Goliath as Stade Toulousain take on Union Bordeaux Bègles in Paris. We preview that, round up the action in Lyon, and take a look ahead to France touring New Zealand. 00:15 - Entrées: A Day to Forget 02:34 - Top 14 Semi Finals 03:33 - Toulouse v Bayonne R...

It was heartbreak in the Alps, jubilation in the Basque Country and celebrations on the Med, as the Top14 reaches it's conclusion. We catch up on all things Barrage, Access Match and of course Federale 2, whilst looking ahead to some intriguing selections as a France XV travel to Twickenham this weekend. 00:15 - Entrées: Travels, Food & Sporting Heroics 05:00 - Top 14 Access Match: Grenoble v Perp...

With Rob away enjoying some well earned sunshine, Rich is joined by former Northampton man and Bayonne lock, Alex Moon. Alex gives us the lowdown on Basque history lessons, the role of the unsung squad members at Stade Jean Dauger, and what it's like playing second row in the Top14 Land of Giants. Enjoy this interview special! We'll be back later in the week to round off the Top14, Access Match an...

Rich is back from a solo venture taking in pretentious dutchmen, a glorious market town and Brive's remarkable loss at the hands of Montauban and Jerome Bosviel, among other things. We recap how the Stade Amédée-Domenech was stunned into silence, Grenoble's phenomenal performance in the Alps, and all the permutations heading into the last round of fixtures in the Top14. There's also emotional send...

Bordeaux net the big one, with a deserved triumph in Cardiff and boy did they celebrate! We recap the game itself, post-match shenanigans and UBB's talisman switching careers to law enforcement... Elsewhere, ProD2 was shown in the UK and Ireland courtesy of FR-UK Rugby, and if Provence's power against SAXV was to be expected, the drama and romance of everyone's favourite competition was on full sh...

The Champions Cup Final may be on the horizon, but we're joined by the real man of the hour! Johnny McPhillips, straight from securing Carcassonne's return to ProD2 joins us on the pod this week to discuss that kick, what it means to a proud rugby city and most importantly, gives us the lowdown on that butcher in Les Halles! There's also the full Top14 round up, we preview Bordeaux's trip to Cardi...

The tragic death of Josaia Raisuque cast an indelible shadow over French and World Rugby this last week. We remember an extraordinarily talented, complex and hugely loved character whose untimely passing was honoured in a series of tributes across the country and will no doubt continue through the rest of the season. There were huge games at both the top and bottom of the Top14 and ProD2, with Bar...

To celebrate the Lions Squad announcement, we have a bumper episode this week, as we're joined by The Times Sports Reporter and French rugby afficionado Elgan Alderman, to help us in the noble quest of piecing together a 21st Century France-based Lions XV . We also have the small matter of an incredible Champions Cup semi-final weekend including Bordeaux's huge win over Toulouse, and of course a p...

The post trip blues have set in for Rob on return from a trip full of rugby, butter and chance encounters. Get the lowdown on the derby weekend, including San Sebastian as a host venue, an incredible result for Vannes against local rivals Toulon and a hammering in Paris that leaves Stade Francais on the brink. Grenoble confirm a home semi in ProD2 and the Nationale is confirmed. 00:00 - Entrées: #...

Rob is dialling in from somewhere in the Pyrenees, with Pau top of the agenda after their late defeat to a much changed UBB side amidst the rain and foie gras of the Stade de Hameau. We also look ahead to the most important derby weekend fixture with all eyes on La Defense and the faltering Parisian sides, as well as previewing an intriguing set of derby fixtures in ProD2. Nationale reaches it's r...

Rich is back from the Adriatic whilst Rob packs his bags for the Pyrenees, but there's time to dissect the Champions Cup Quarter Finals, including an absolute classic between Toulon and Toulouse down at the Stade Felix Mayol. Bordeaux continue to showcase their flair and fallibility, whilst Castres' European adventure comes to an abrupt end. Plus there's an all-French semi in the Challenge Cup to...

Pro D2 - we will NEVER neglect you! With Rich on holiday and the festival of rugby in the continental competitions last weekend, we didn't have time for French domestic rugby matters! Do not fear, Rob is on hand to bring you all you need to know about the Pro D2 run-in. With only 5 games to go, can you work out who is going to finish where? 00:53 - Pro D2 Round 25 Review 12:32 - Round 26 Preview 1...

The Champions Cup returned for the Last 16, bringing with it spring sunshine, drama, and a veritable feast of attacking rugby! This episode covers all the big talking points from the first knockout weekend of European rugby – and the chaos we saw in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Join us as we devour: Munster's heroic win in Le ROGBowl at La Rochelle Castres vs Benetton - the hosts edge Benet...

Does what it says on the tin... a quick journey through some of the key match ups in the last 16 of the Champions and Challenge Cups, with plenty of French interest. 00:00 - 02:29 Entrées 02:29 - 08:03 Northampton v Clermont 08:03 - 13:33 Toulon v Saracens 13:33 - 17:28 Castres v Benetton 17:28 - 24:00 La Rochelle v Munster 24:00 - 28:53 Bordeaux v Ulster & Toulouse v Sale 28:53 - 32:40 Challenge...

We're back from a fleeting visit to beautiful Brittany and Le Stade de la Rabine, where the sun shone Vannes and Perpignan battled out a tense draw in front or two fervent sets of supporters. Elsewhere there were hammerings and comebacks in equal measure across the Top14, whilst ProD2 gave us some eye catching results... 00:00 - 14:23 Entrées: Match Day at Vannes 14:23 - 27:46 Vannes v Perpignan 2...

The Top 14 is back and taking centre stage, with the top three seemingly locked in, the bottom two are slowly being cut adrift and as for the rest, who knows! A Devonian army arrived in Pau, the pressure mounts further on Ronan O'Gara and there's some Parisian positivity at long last. Plus, we eagerly look forward to the return of Pro D2, a trip to Brittany is on the horizon, and just who from thi...

Fancy a 6 Nations podcast with no Lions Squad hot takes...? France have secured a superb Six Nations Championship under the bright lights in Paris, and we do our best to sum up the tournament despite having a slightly disgruntled Scottish fan in our midst. Who were the winners, the losers, the stock risers and those who have pushed themselves to the fringes? The U'20s matched their senior counterp...

France overpower Ireland in Dublin in a stunning showing of brain and brawn with some less heralded names to the fore. There were antics aplenty in a Bordeaux infused back row and we try to get under the hood of the 'bench that shall not be named'. Amidst the gloom of Antoine Dupont's injury, ProD2 provided the weekend with some much needed levity, and our boys over in Castres have been channellin...

We are delighted to be joined by Wales Fly-Half, and one of the most talked about players in France, FC Grenoble's Sam Davies. The former Ospreys and Dragons out-half gives us a fascinating insight into challenges of ProD2, preparing for an Access Match and his decision to move to France from Wales, as well as where to find his outstanding gin on the slopes... Enjoy! Plus there's the usual round u...

What a difference a couple of weeks makes. Equal parts beautiful and brutal, Les Bleus' performance in Rome has certainly re-ignited tournament interest. We discuss the Italy game, as well another cracking week in the Top14 as a beleaguered Racing 92 produce their result of the season away at faltering La Rochelle. 9 tries isn't enough for a bonus point in Provence as Grenoble tighten their hold o...

Ahead of France's trip to Rome to take on the Azzurri, we are joined by the Ellie and Eddie of the fabulous Spritz and Scrums Italian Rugby Podcast! We preview how Italy can cause a shock, the lasting legacy of Franco Smith and most importantly, how to skip the bar queue on matchday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With no 6 Nations to ponder, Top14 and ProD2 served up some a veritable feast of tries in a defining round as we enter the business end of the season. The Battle at the Bottom is looking congested following Vannes' stirring performance in Paris, whilst Toulouse re-assert their big-boy status with an imposing performance in Clermont. ProD2 dished up points aplenty, rumours abound that Galthie has s...