Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Aurelien Rougerie's big hitting four minutes vs Scotland
The Clermont wing hadnt played for his country in about two years, so was clearly pumped up as he chased the kickoff and timed the great hit on Kelly Brown perfectly. The statement of intent backfired though.
Unfortunately Rougerie came off worse, needing treatment on his arm and shoulder before soldiering on. Undeterred, a minute or so later he flew into another Scottish player, doing more damage to himself.
The kamikaze winger took the full impact of Johnnie Beatties shoulder to the jaw in a horrible looking collision that effectively ended his match. He did stay on for a minute or so, but when the ball came to him out wide, he dropped it and threw in the towel, less than five minutes into the game.
The injury to his neck is less serious than initially thought, but he underwent tests on Monday evening and will be out of action for two to three weeks.
It was a long wait for him to get back into the French side, and sadly for him, two big collisions in the space of a few minutes ended it. Vincent Clerc replaced him, and will stay in the side for the big match against Ireland this weekend in Paris.
Alexis Palisson will also play, as debutant Benjamin Fall is also out injured. Julien Malzieu from Clermont, and Jean-Baptiste Poux also join the squad.
"You don't change a winning team," said coach Marc Lievremont. "Playing Vincent Clerc from the start shouldn't cause a debate, there was a lot of discussion on who to play on the left wing.
"We decided to go with the versatility and left foot of Alexis Palisson.
"We know the qualities of Julien Malzieu but it seemed interesting to us to have the presence of Alexis alongside Clement Poitrenaud."
Bastareaud brace helps France to win over Scotland
Aurelien Rougerie tribute ahead of the Top 14 Final
Time: 03:47
Posted at 10:19 am | 36 comments
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Viewing 36 comments
Anonymous February 10, 2010 11:42 am

nobby February 10, 2010 12:01 pm

Phil February 10, 2010 12:13 pm

3/4 centre February 10, 2010 12:23 pm

Anonymous February 10, 2010 12:27 pm

In the second one he comes from depth where he's been covering the open-side dink into space and still manages to shut down a movement where the Scots had men on the outside.
This is pretty tough to do as a winger where you have to gamble positional play against an overlap. I think he got it all spot on and shut down a significant gain in ground that the scots would have otherwise made. Certainly not a product to too many espressos.
Oli February 10, 2010 12:36 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AarCSY1Ha18
I hope he gets better soon
View Video
JLH February 10, 2010 12:39 pm

Anonymous February 10, 2010 12:49 pm

Ted February 10, 2010 12:51 pm

Wilko used to be the same - put in all those big hits and ended up having a recurring shoulder injury.
Maximus February 10, 2010 1:27 pm

He's a fantastic player but there are lots of talents in the back line today from 11 to 15. The point is he's got a physical dimension the others lack, no doubt.
Talk about an underrated (and unlucky) Clermont player is Baby. Can play everywhere from 10 to 15 and is talented. And one I find a little overrated is Marty. (to all Marty lovers, mind I didn't write he was a bad player, just that we can find better players than him for the national team)
Conor February 10, 2010 2:25 pm

Anonymous February 10, 2010 2:26 pm

all other sites working Youtube etc, but I have no sound wen listening to these vids!!!??
3/4 centre February 10, 2010 4:53 pm

Even if I totally understand the angry of irish football fans and I am ashamed by seeing France playing the world cup, I can't understand Earls's words. It's not the same sport, not the same players, not the same supporters...
My intent here is not to re-start a fake patriotic debate, but just express my incomprehension.
My team will play against irish students saturday, so I hope this clash between two 6N potential winners will be good, then we can enjoy a great "third halftime" with the irish friends...
Flooz February 10, 2010 5:35 pm

I've heard the same argument about Keith Earls.This young man seems to talk a lot..
Not the same sport, not the same mentality. i don't understand this remark, very sad for rugby..
Maybe a way to put pressure on the referees.
I just hope this match will be straight and fair, and not full of footballers attitudes.
Let's just hope a great match with real good hits and actions from both sides. Forget this sneaky allusion
ps: i'll be at stade de france :)
sebastian February 10, 2010 5:42 pm

Pitseleh February 10, 2010 6:08 pm

Ben February 10, 2010 6:26 pm

i don't know what expect earls with these curious comments.
But if french players hear about this, they would be very attentive to give a brutal and direct answer
paddy87 February 10, 2010 6:37 pm

Phil February 10, 2010 7:18 pm

Pitseleh February 10, 2010 7:27 pm

Maybe a way to put pressure on the referees."
Yes, so the refs will check carefully to be sure that Irish lads won't cheat. Thanks again Earls. But honestly, most of French rugby fans don't give a f*** about football.
About Rougerie I hope that we'll see him again with XV de France. He deserves more than 4 minutes...
The Inside Shoulder February 10, 2010 9:40 pm

canadian content February 10, 2010 11:09 pm

John F February 11, 2010 12:46 am

Anonymous February 11, 2010 1:55 am

mat February 11, 2010 10:50 am

mat February 11, 2010 10:55 am

Flanker February 11, 2010 11:39 am

Anonymous February 12, 2010 2:00 am

Can't help but think if he'd been an Islander he would have got carded.
Anonymous February 12, 2010 3:06 am

this is ridiculous, attoub gets 70 weeks and kelly brown doesnt get anything, where is the justice, it was simple foul play against the french, kelly brown hurt rougerie and the irb does nothing, disgraace!!!!
Anonymous February 12, 2010 3:09 am

Its called commentary you prat, they were commenting on his hype and being everywhere.....i suppose you were physically looking for octupi and giraffes on the pitch when Bill Mclaren commentated, as you appear to miss the point of a joke!!!
Anonymous February 12, 2010 11:50 am

vinniechan February 12, 2010 4:07 pm

Anonymous February 13, 2010 1:13 am

there is however something not quite worth it, if you last 4 mins on the pitch...















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