French Rugby Club

Top 14: Financial crisis deepens at Stade Francais after Max Guazzini files for fraud - 22 May 2011

Once mighty Stade Francais are facing up to the very real prospect of beginning next season in ProD2 - or worse - after the latest twist in their ongoing financial drama. The 13-time French champions appeared saved from that possibility when FACEM - a previously unheard of Canadian company - appeared to come to their rescue with a €12m investment on June 6th which would have given them a 66% stake in the Paris club. But that deal has now been thrown into turmoil amid allegations of fraud from current Stade Francais president Max Guazzini...

Top 14 semis: Montpellier in dreamland after dramatic late win; Toulouse power through - 28 May 2011

Stade Toulousain and Montpellier will go head-to-head on June 4th in Paris after the two sides won their Top 14 play-off semi-finals this weekend – against Clermont Auvergne and Racing-Métro 92 respectively. Toulouse swept aside defending champions Clermont 29-6 in Marseille on Friday night and will undoubtedly start as favourites against Montpellier as they go in search of a record 18th French title...

Top 14 Final: Youngster Bézy wins it late for Toulouse after Montpellier threaten upset - 04 June 2011

They left it late, not taking the lead until the 71st minute, but French giants Stade Toulousain eventually claimed their 18th national crown after downing brave Montpellier 15-10 in Paris on Saturday night. For so long Fabien Galthié's Mediterranean underdogs appeared set to cause one of the biggest rugby upsets in recent French history, but 21-year-old Nicolas Bézy proved Toulouse's match-winner just in the nick of time as he calmly slotted two late penalties to secure the Bouclier de Brennus...

Harry's Game: Ambition - the driving force behind becoming a successful rugby club? - 12 May 2011 21.18

FRC columnist and Tarbes lock Harry Spencer gives his thoughts on what makes some clubs successful while others either flounder, or appear happy to plod along in mid-table obscurity... One month ago a team-mate of mine wrote on his Facebook wall “Cherch club avec ambition!!” which, to those of you who don’t know, translates as "Searching for a club with ambition!!". It got me thinking, and over this past month I have gone over it many times. What is it that players look for in a club or team? How important is it? What characterises 'ambition'?..