James Harrington
@jamesonrugby.bsky.social
Freelance journalist.
There's rugby. And then there's French rugby.
#Top14 #ProD2 #ChampionsCup #EPCRChallengeCup
https://linktr.ee/jamesharringtonjourno
There's rugby. And then there's French rugby.
#Top14 #ProD2 #ChampionsCup #EPCRChallengeCup
https://linktr.ee/jamesharringtonjourno
Everyone's very excited about Antoine Dupont's Toulouse return - and quite rightly - but Saturday night's #Top14 match against Racing 92 will be emotional for another reason.
It's Pita Ahki's last outing before he returns to New Zealand
He's not played since Nov1, but Midol reckons he'll start
It's Pita Ahki's last outing before he returns to New Zealand
He's not played since Nov1, but Midol reckons he'll start
November 27, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Everyone's very excited about Antoine Dupont's Toulouse return - and quite rightly - but Saturday night's #Top14 match against Racing 92 will be emotional for another reason.
It's Pita Ahki's last outing before he returns to New Zealand
He's not played since Nov1, but Midol reckons he'll start
It's Pita Ahki's last outing before he returns to New Zealand
He's not played since Nov1, but Midol reckons he'll start
#Top14 side Toulouse to face hearing over Melvyn Jaminet's transfer on December 8. Possible sanctions may be severe
www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Articl...
www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Articl...
Le Stade Toulousain face à la menace d'un retrait de points dans l'affaire du transfert de Melvyn Jaminet
<b>INFO L'ÉQUIPE.</b> Après s'être acquitté d'une amende de 1,3 million d'euros dans le volet salary-cap de l'affaire du transfert de Melvyn Jaminet, le Stade Toulousain est désormais convoqué le 8 dé...
www.lequipe.fr
November 23, 2025 at 7:22 PM
#Top14 side Toulouse to face hearing over Melvyn Jaminet's transfer on December 8. Possible sanctions may be severe
www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Articl...
www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Articl...
I know everyone's all-in on international rugby right now, but away sides have won four of the six matches in France's #Top14 so far this weekend - with just Stade Francais v Toulon on Sunday to go.
Me, on the action so far for @irishexaminer.bsky.social
www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/...
Me, on the action so far for @irishexaminer.bsky.social
www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/...
Former player comes back to haunt Ronan O'Gara as La Rochelle fall to Castres
International call-ups and injuries forced Ronan O’Gara to ring the changes for La Rochelle. They had 15 players unavailable.
www.irishexaminer.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:08 PM
I know everyone's all-in on international rugby right now, but away sides have won four of the six matches in France's #Top14 so far this weekend - with just Stade Francais v Toulon on Sunday to go.
Me, on the action so far for @irishexaminer.bsky.social
www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/...
Me, on the action so far for @irishexaminer.bsky.social
www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/...
Solar electricity production is so high that France is introducing summer peak hours, with cheaper periods during the day
www.thelocal.fr/20251002/fra...
www.thelocal.fr/20251002/fra...
France changes 'peak' electricity hours to reflect solar production
Householders in France who have opted for peak and off-peak electricity tariffs will see a change in their billing from November, as the French government alters the peak hours to reflect the contribu...
www.thelocal.fr
November 20, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Solar electricity production is so high that France is introducing summer peak hours, with cheaper periods during the day
www.thelocal.fr/20251002/fra...
www.thelocal.fr/20251002/fra...
And here's the actual confirmed squad. Flament / Meafou return; Ollivon at 7; Gourges on the bench
November 20, 2025 at 10:11 AM
And here's the actual confirmed squad. Flament / Meafou return; Ollivon at 7; Gourges on the bench
Reposted by James Harrington
Want to come and work at The Local?
You'll be forced to pay attention to whatever the fuck is going on in 🇫🇷 politics, but other than that the job is a lot of fun - writing articles on a huge range of French subjects and being on Talking France podcast
Paris-based, CDI, details 👇
#journojobs
You'll be forced to pay attention to whatever the fuck is going on in 🇫🇷 politics, but other than that the job is a lot of fun - writing articles on a huge range of French subjects and being on Talking France podcast
Paris-based, CDI, details 👇
#journojobs
Job advert: The Local France is hiring a new journalist
Job advert: The Local France is hiring a new journalist
If you're interested in explaining the news and major changes in France to our audience of international residents and regular visitors and think you have what it takes to be a journalist for The Local France, then read on.
www.thelocal.fr
November 20, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Want to come and work at The Local?
You'll be forced to pay attention to whatever the fuck is going on in 🇫🇷 politics, but other than that the job is a lot of fun - writing articles on a huge range of French subjects and being on Talking France podcast
Paris-based, CDI, details 👇
#journojobs
You'll be forced to pay attention to whatever the fuck is going on in 🇫🇷 politics, but other than that the job is a lot of fun - writing articles on a huge range of French subjects and being on Talking France podcast
Paris-based, CDI, details 👇
#journojobs
Manny Edmonds intègre le staff technique. – US Carcassonne
www.uscarcassonne.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:52 PM
#Top14 average crowd in the first block of 9 games: 15,285 - pretty much toe-to-toe with the average figure for 2024/25.
#ProD2 average crowd after 10 matches: 6,162 - up 10% on the same period last season. A figure boosted, obviously, by the 30,000 at Vannes-Grenoble last Sunday
#ProD2 average crowd after 10 matches: 6,162 - up 10% on the same period last season. A figure boosted, obviously, by the 30,000 at Vannes-Grenoble last Sunday
November 19, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Seguret to La Rochelle, Gontineac to Castres - and sharpish, too, Rugbyrama reports
www.rugbyrama.fr/2025/11/19/e...
www.rugbyrama.fr/2025/11/19/e...
Exclu Midol. Séguret en partance avec effet immédiat pour La Rochelle, Gontineac pour le remplacer au CO ?
Au club depuis 2022, Adrien Séguret (27 ans) pourrait quitter dans les prochaines heures le Castres olympique. Le centre serait, selon nos informations, en partance avec effet immédiat pour La Rochell...
www.rugbyrama.fr
November 19, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Seguret to La Rochelle, Gontineac to Castres - and sharpish, too, Rugbyrama reports
www.rugbyrama.fr/2025/11/19/e...
www.rugbyrama.fr/2025/11/19/e...
Bib Theory squad for France's final November Test v Australia.
Ramos; Penaud, Depoortere, Fickou, LBB; Ntamack, Lucu; Alldritt, Ollivon, Jelonch; Meafou, Flament; Montagne, Marchand, Gros
Bench: Lamothe, Neti, Laclayat, Taofifenua, Auradou, Jegou, Jauneau, Gourgues
Squad announced Thursday 11am
Ramos; Penaud, Depoortere, Fickou, LBB; Ntamack, Lucu; Alldritt, Ollivon, Jelonch; Meafou, Flament; Montagne, Marchand, Gros
Bench: Lamothe, Neti, Laclayat, Taofifenua, Auradou, Jegou, Jauneau, Gourgues
Squad announced Thursday 11am
November 18, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Bib Theory squad for France's final November Test v Australia.
Ramos; Penaud, Depoortere, Fickou, LBB; Ntamack, Lucu; Alldritt, Ollivon, Jelonch; Meafou, Flament; Montagne, Marchand, Gros
Bench: Lamothe, Neti, Laclayat, Taofifenua, Auradou, Jegou, Jauneau, Gourgues
Squad announced Thursday 11am
Ramos; Penaud, Depoortere, Fickou, LBB; Ntamack, Lucu; Alldritt, Ollivon, Jelonch; Meafou, Flament; Montagne, Marchand, Gros
Bench: Lamothe, Neti, Laclayat, Taofifenua, Auradou, Jegou, Jauneau, Gourgues
Squad announced Thursday 11am
Rugby fans who live in countries where you can't watch the French #Top14...
This might be of interest
www.top14rugbytv.com
This might be of interest
www.top14rugbytv.com
-
www.top14rugbytv.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Rugby fans who live in countries where you can't watch the French #Top14...
This might be of interest
www.top14rugbytv.com
This might be of interest
www.top14rugbytv.com
David Darricarrere out (well, reassigned) at Brive, replaced until the end of the season by ... sporting director Pierre-Henry Broncan.
Expect, then, further coaching changes for the 2026/27 campaign
www.lamontagne.fr/brive-la-gai...
Expect, then, further coaching changes for the 2026/27 campaign
www.lamontagne.fr/brive-la-gai...
Broncan de retour aux commandes du CA Brive pour une mission commando, Darricarrère écarté
Cinq mois après avoir nommé David Darricarrère manager sportif, en lieu et place de Pierre-Henry Broncan, passé directeur du rugby, la direction du CAB procède à un rétropédalage en règle.
www.lamontagne.fr
November 18, 2025 at 8:10 AM
David Darricarrere out (well, reassigned) at Brive, replaced until the end of the season by ... sporting director Pierre-Henry Broncan.
Expect, then, further coaching changes for the 2026/27 campaign
www.lamontagne.fr/brive-la-gai...
Expect, then, further coaching changes for the 2026/27 campaign
www.lamontagne.fr/brive-la-gai...
More managerial movement in French rugby, as L'Equipe reports Fabien Gengenbacher has left his post as sporting director at Lyon
www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...
www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...
Le directeur sportif du LOU Fabien Gengenbacher quitte le club
<b>INFO L'ÉQUIPE.</b> Le directeur sportif du LOU, Fabien Gengenbacher (41 ans) a quitté ses fonctions. Un accord a été trouvé entre les deux parties.
www.lequipe.fr
November 17, 2025 at 9:15 AM
More managerial movement in French rugby, as L'Equipe reports Fabien Gengenbacher has left his post as sporting director at Lyon
www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...
www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...
Whispers surrounding the precarious nature of David Darricarrere's future as head coach at #ProD2 side Brive getting louder.
A top brass meeting scheduled for tonight looks like it will be decisive
A top brass meeting scheduled for tonight looks like it will be decisive
November 17, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Whispers surrounding the precarious nature of David Darricarrere's future as head coach at #ProD2 side Brive getting louder.
A top brass meeting scheduled for tonight looks like it will be decisive
A top brass meeting scheduled for tonight looks like it will be decisive
Late change: Manny Meafou has had to withdraw. Romain Taofifenua starts, Jimi Maximin comes onto the bench
Six changes in the starting XV, including the return of Charles Ollivon for the first time in nearly a year, and Greg Alldritt; and seven out of 8 on the bench, with Maxime Lamothe set to win his first cap
Confirmed: the France squad to face Fiji in Bordeaux this weekend
November 13, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Late change: Manny Meafou has had to withdraw. Romain Taofifenua starts, Jimi Maximin comes onto the bench
Six changes in the starting XV, including the return of Charles Ollivon for the first time in nearly a year, and Greg Alldritt; and seven out of 8 on the bench, with Maxime Lamothe set to win his first cap
Confirmed: the France squad to face Fiji in Bordeaux this weekend
November 13, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Six changes in the starting XV, including the return of Charles Ollivon for the first time in nearly a year, and Greg Alldritt; and seven out of 8 on the bench, with Maxime Lamothe set to win his first cap
Confirmed: the France squad to face Fiji in Bordeaux this weekend
November 13, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Confirmed: the France squad to face Fiji in Bordeaux this weekend
Confirmed: one more year at #Top14 side Montpellier for Billy Vunipola
www.montpellier-rugby.com/news/billy-v...
www.montpellier-rugby.com/news/billy-v...
Billy Vunipola prolonge jusqu'en 2027 ! - Montpellier Hérault Rugby - MHR
www.montpellier-rugby.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Confirmed: one more year at #Top14 side Montpellier for Billy Vunipola
www.montpellier-rugby.com/news/billy-v...
www.montpellier-rugby.com/news/billy-v...
Laurent Labit wants Perpignan off the foot of the #Top14 by the end of January. His first match in charge is the 'home' match against Montpellier in Beziers on November 22.
www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...
www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...
November 12, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Laurent Labit wants Perpignan off the foot of the #Top14 by the end of January. His first match in charge is the 'home' match against Montpellier in Beziers on November 22.
www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...
www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actual...
Benjamin Urdapilleta's retirement is over. He's due to arrive in Perpignan this week to cover their injury crisis
www.rugbyrama.fr/2025/11/12/t...
www.rugbyrama.fr/2025/11/12/t...
Urdapilleta sort de sa retraite et va s’engager à Perpignan
En conférence de presse, le nouveau manager de Perpignan Laurent Labit a annoncé l’arrivée de Benjamin Urdapilleta. L’ouvreur argentin de 39 ans sort de sa retraite pour se lancer un dernier défi : ai...
www.rugbyrama.fr
November 12, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Benjamin Urdapilleta's retirement is over. He's due to arrive in Perpignan this week to cover their injury crisis
www.rugbyrama.fr/2025/11/12/t...
www.rugbyrama.fr/2025/11/12/t...
Reposted by James Harrington
Not sure how much Rassie Erasmus gets paid, but after Saturday's showing he (and his coaching staff) deserves every Rand of it
Fabien Galthie's tactical and substitutional choices proved costly
#FRAvRSA
uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/erasmus...
Fabien Galthie's tactical and substitutional choices proved costly
#FRAvRSA
uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/erasmus...
Erasmus' ingenuity sets South Africa apart from the rest
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has long been lauded for revolutionising rugby with original strategic moves but Saturday's epic comeback win over France highlighted his abilities as the world'...
uk.sports.yahoo.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Not sure how much Rassie Erasmus gets paid, but after Saturday's showing he (and his coaching staff) deserves every Rand of it
Fabien Galthie's tactical and substitutional choices proved costly
#FRAvRSA
uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/erasmus...
Fabien Galthie's tactical and substitutional choices proved costly
#FRAvRSA
uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/erasmus...
Reposted by James Harrington
I don't know but this Belgium team seems hellbent in creating history... 😈
First round of the Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament has wrapped up and here's my report about it
www.rugbypass.com/news/colossa...
First round of the Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament has wrapped up and here's my report about it
www.rugbypass.com/news/colossa...
Colossal shock in final Rugby World Cup qualifier as RWC regulars stunned
In the opening weekend of the Final Qualification Tournament for Rugby World Cup 2027, Belgium stunned fans as the Diables Noirs brushed...
www.rugbypass.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I don't know but this Belgium team seems hellbent in creating history... 😈
First round of the Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament has wrapped up and here's my report about it
www.rugbypass.com/news/colossa...
First round of the Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament has wrapped up and here's my report about it
www.rugbypass.com/news/colossa...
France squad confirmed for Saturday's match v South Africa.
Per Bib Theory ... and the LNR's mistakenly sent early press release
Per Bib Theory ... and the LNR's mistakenly sent early press release
November 6, 2025 at 10:15 AM
France squad confirmed for Saturday's match v South Africa.
Per Bib Theory ... and the LNR's mistakenly sent early press release
Per Bib Theory ... and the LNR's mistakenly sent early press release
*Bib Theory Update*
France's possible starting XV for Saturday's Test against South Africa, based entirely on training bib numbers
Ramos; Penaud, Barassi, Fickou (cap), Bielle-Biarrey; Ntamack, Le Garrec; Boudehent, Guillard, Jelonch; Meafou, Flament; Montagne, Marchand, Erdocio
France's possible starting XV for Saturday's Test against South Africa, based entirely on training bib numbers
Ramos; Penaud, Barassi, Fickou (cap), Bielle-Biarrey; Ntamack, Le Garrec; Boudehent, Guillard, Jelonch; Meafou, Flament; Montagne, Marchand, Erdocio
*Very* early Bib Theory - more Bib Hypothesis, really - France starting XV for the first of the November Tests v SA.
Ramos; Penaud, Barassi, Fickou, Bielle-Biarrey; Ntamack, Le Garrec / Lucu; Boudehent, Guillard, Jelonch; Meafou, Flament; Montagne, Marchand, Erdocio / Gros
Ramos; Penaud, Barassi, Fickou, Bielle-Biarrey; Ntamack, Le Garrec / Lucu; Boudehent, Guillard, Jelonch; Meafou, Flament; Montagne, Marchand, Erdocio / Gros
November 4, 2025 at 12:40 PM
*Bib Theory Update*
France's possible starting XV for Saturday's Test against South Africa, based entirely on training bib numbers
Ramos; Penaud, Barassi, Fickou (cap), Bielle-Biarrey; Ntamack, Le Garrec; Boudehent, Guillard, Jelonch; Meafou, Flament; Montagne, Marchand, Erdocio
France's possible starting XV for Saturday's Test against South Africa, based entirely on training bib numbers
Ramos; Penaud, Barassi, Fickou (cap), Bielle-Biarrey; Ntamack, Le Garrec; Boudehent, Guillard, Jelonch; Meafou, Flament; Montagne, Marchand, Erdocio