Saturday Round-Up

Nonu to France: Reports emanating out of French rugby circles are today suggesting that New Zealand midfielder Ma’a Nonu has agreed terms on a contract with French outfit Toulon, for the 2015/16 season. At 32, Nonu is expected to be targeted by club owner Mourad Boudjellal in the immediate aftermath of the World Cup, as part of the ‘Fantastic Four’, consisting of Nonu, Dan Carter, Israel Dagg and Richie McCaw. However, renowned French newspaper L’Equipe has since reported that World Cup winner Nonu is yet to agree a deal with the reigning European and Top 14 champions, and that the confusion arises from the fact that Northampton Saint Samu Manoa has apparently agreed a contract with the South of France outfit. If the claims of exuberant club owner Boudjellal are to be believed, one of the supposed ‘Fantastic Four’ has already signed up with the Galacticos, but he insists that is not Nonu, referring to the new player as ‘The Thing’, in keeping with the theme of the Marvel comics. 

Brive shock Montpellier: The French Top 14 is never too far away from an upset and last night we were treated to yet another, as Brive recorded an impressive 25-10 away win at Montpellier. An error-strewn performance from the hosts from minute 1 to 80, sent head coach Fabien Galthie home with no win in his four most recent attempts and worrying about his side’s decline since the loss of French international flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc. Having opened the try scoring account in just the fourth minute, visitors to Altrad Stadium continued to regularly extend their lead, primarily through the boot of the impressive Gaetan Germain. Despite the best efforts of a side packed with international talent, the hosts afield to surmount any comeback of real note and are now set to fall out of the play-off slots following the remainder of the weekend’s action. For Brive, the away win takes that a little further away from the bottom two, as they look to maintain their Top 14 status for another season.

Ryan Sheady