Chris Howson

What a contest; I enjoyed that. Great result for Pau!

I'm for Pau. Unfortunately they've not managed to create as much as I hoped in the first half. Without Simmonds the second half will be a real challenge.

Yes it's an excellent hybrid grass surface which was given a thorough restoration before the Top 14 season.

Full time and Rosbifs Rugby were right 👍

Half time in Vannes; the first prediction is looking safe so far.

« Rien d’officiel » : un match du Rugby Club Vannes délocalisé à Rennes en Pro D2 ? Le match de Pro D2 entre Vannes et Grenoble pourrait être délocalisé au Roazhon Park de Rennes le dimanche 16 novembre 2025. Selon le club, rien d’officiel pour l’instant.

But apparently RC Vannes are saying that nothing is official.
actu.fr/bretagne/van...

The local press is now stating that the move to the stadium in Rennes has now been confirmed.

Best ever pod! Ben Stevenson, Vannes, bagpipes and pastries; what's not to like?

Encouraging to hear Ben say that a more attacking style is part of Vannes' training. This echos comments I've seen from Jean-Noêl Spitzer in the press. I look forward to seeing it put into practice this Thursday.

From a selfish point of view I am not sure about this; I so enjoy the atmosphere of home matches at La Rabine.

I suppose it offers more rugby fans in Brittany the opportunity of attending a match. Hopefully with 29000 fans the experience will surpass my expectations.

Autumn oak
#bretagne

Yes, not very exciting. There's been some good rugby in between all the knock-ons. But no suspense; UBB were never going to get anywhere near a losing bonus point.

Red wine? I thought that colour was out of favour 🤔

No #ProD2 tonight so I thought I'd watch a nice competitive URC match. Men against boys so far; hopefully Scarlets can get their act together in the second half.

Thanks for another good pod 👍

I too am disappointed by Vannes' lack of expansive intent. The game plan now seems clear; camp in the opposition 22 and score preferably through forward power or otherwise via a sniping scrum half. Keep the backs happy by occasionally creating a gap for them to score.

Yes I agree. On French TV Vannes' Anthony Bouthier apologised to the spectators for the poor offering.

Just to be clear the two game time recommendations are alternatives. A federation/league can implement one, the other or both.

Rugby - Pro D2. FCG : les joueurs ont repris l’entraînement, le match face à Provence Rugby confirmé Jouera, jouera pas ? Depuis mardi et la décision des joueurs du FC Grenoble rugby de ne plus s’entraîner – par solidarité avec leur entraîneur ...

The players are back in training today and Friday's match should go ahead.
www.ledauphine.com/sport/2025/1...

Back garden sunset
#bretagne

resources.worldrugby-rims.pulselive.com/worldrugby/d...

The guidelines for the 30 games define a game involvement as at least one minute of play.
There is an alternative recommendation which is for a player to have a week off after 6 consecutive appearances on the 23 player team sheet 🤔

There is a digital version of Midol @70€ a year but I don't know if there are geographical restrictions on the access.

An entertaining listen as ever; it sounds like you guys had an excellent weekend.
You can always find crowd figures in Midi Olympique on a Monday. There were 5754 spectators at the Agen match which you attended.
And on a personal note - I reckon there is little better than a good confit de 🦆

Provale au soutien des joueurs de Grenoble, qui menacent de faire grève après la mise à pied de Nicolas Nadau Alors que les joueurs grenoblois menacent de faire grève à la suite de la mise à pied de leur entraîneur des trois-quarts Nicolas Nadau pour des propos virulents prononcés à l'encontre du staff médica...

The players union, Provale, has now weighed in supporting the players' actions and denouncing the style of management at the club over the last few months. The union does not, however, condone Nadia's outburst.
www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...

Albaladéjo, coeur ovale - Documentaire en replay La France en Vrai - Nouvelle-Aquitaine <p>À 91 ans, Pierre Albaladejo reste une figure incontournable, à la fois rugbyman de légende, consultant brillant et penseur plein d’humour et d’humanité.</...

This documentary on Pierre Albaladéjo is well worth a watch; an icon of French rugby both on the field and subsequently as a commentator.
Probably need to connect via VPN to view outside France.
www.france.tv/france-3_nou...

Autumn has arrived in Brittany.
📍#bretagne

I am waiting for the postman to deliver mine.
I am also waiting for the famous Rosbifs Rugby predictions for this week's #ProD2 matches 😉

Vol du bouclier des champions de France de Pro D2 de rugby : trois jours après sa disparition, la gendarmerie lance un appel urgent à témoins Volé en pleine foire agricole à Montbeton, le bouclier de champion de Pro D2 de l’US Montauban reste introuvable. Trois jours plus tard, l’affaire fait grand bruit : les gendarmes lancent un appel urg...

The gendarmes are still searching for the #ProD2 trophy!

www.ladepeche.fr/2025/09/23/v...

They made the decision earlier to hold the match but the expectation was that the worst would miss Toulon. The football match in Marseille was called off a few hours back.

My weather app is showing storms for the next 30 minutes. There is talk of delaying the kickoff.

Yes, a great story. It was in the fruit hall; where else would you display a rugby trophy 🤔