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