France

Big win for Olmstead’s Biarritz over Montauban

Biarritz Olympique kept their promotion hopes intact with a 31-3 demolition of Montauban at Parc d’Aguilera on Saturday. Canada’s Evan Olmstead was again a top contributor with another 80 minute performance in a dominant BOPB forward effort. The result was very different to that of the first meeting between the …

Read More »

ARN Player of the Week – Tomás Carrió

One of our primary sources of inspiration in recent weeks – the Premier 15s – had the weekend off but our eyes remained fixed on Europe. The English Premiership and French Top 14 were both in action, as well as the Copa Ibérica final in Spain. Two Argentines earned Top …

Read More »

Will Percillier makes first start for Stade Français

Top Canadian prospect Will Percillier earned another first on Friday evening in Paris. The 21-year-old made his first senior start for Stade Français, playing all 80 minutes against Benetton Treviso in the opening round of the European Challenge Cup competition. Though the Italian visitors – coached by former Canada supremo …

Read More »

RWC 2023: The freshness and the déjà vu

The pools for RWC 2023 have and some freshness and some familiarity. What are the fresh match-ups and what are the déjà vu match-ups that will take-place at the group stage? Freshness Pool Balance What is RWC 2023’s Pool of Death? Is there actually one? Compared to prior RWCs the …

Read More »

RWC 2023 Draw: Best, Worst and Fairest Scenarios

The draw for RWC 2019 is just days away. The draw will take place on December 14 in Paris. World Rugby determined that 2020 rankings will not be considered. Instead, the official rankings from the start of 2020 have been implemented to seed the participants. The decision means that no …

Read More »

David Ainu’u set for first Top 14 start

US Eagles prop David Ainu’u is set to make his first career Top 14 start when he wears the No1 shirt for Toulouse against Agen on Saturday. The opportunity comes just a week after his 21st birthday and in his 10th competitive appearance for the club. Colombian lock Andrés Zafra …

Read More »