France vs Italy Preview: Squad Changes, Six Nations Weekend & Top 14 Updates | French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast!

French Rugby in 22 mins!

Veronique Landew and co-host Bill Hooper preview France vs Italy in Lille at Stade Pierre-Mauroy with the roof closed, noting France’s last Lille match was a 13–13 draw with Italy in the 2023 World Cup. They discuss Fabien Galthié’s squad changes, including strengthening the second row by moving Ollivon and Guillard to the bench and bringing in Flament and Emmanuel Meafou to add STRENGTH against Italy’s powerful pack. They review Italy’s strong start to the Six Nations (win over Scotland and a close loss to Ireland with a bonus point), the return of Ange Capuozzo at fullback, and Italy’s overall rise after past calls to replace them with Georgia.

The episode also previews England vs Ireland at Twickenham and Wales vs Scotland in Cardiff, discusses a postponed Top 14 match (Perpignan vs Pau) rescheduled due to Storm Pedro, and covers club rugby updates: Toulouse staying top despite missing internationals, Vannes leading Pro D2 after a 26–0 win over Caen and traveling to Biarritz, disciplinary point deductions for some clubs, and sad news of Saubusse in National 3 facing administration. They also note coaching turmoil at Bayonne with Grégory Patat dismissed, Toulon’s struggles, and Montpellier’s surge up the Top 14 table.

Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS, the rugby podcast with the French flair and the Gallic Twist! Established in 2020!

Six Nations Preview & Top 14 Roundup | French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast in 30 minutes!

Véronique is joined by Bill Hooper, co-host of the French Rugby CONNECTIONS podcast, ahead of a major Six Nations weekend. They look back at France’s recent performance and discuss Fabien Galthié’s selections and tactical approach, including concerns about intensity, bench impact, and avoiding the same mistakes as the previous match. The conversation also touches on the state of Welsh rugby and what might help rebuild talent and structure. They then shift to the Top 14, reviewing the table and key storylines—tight points, big clubs under pressure, returning injured players, and standout performances—before closing with support for Les Bleus.
Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS, the rugby podcast with the French flair and a Gallic/Celtic twist. Established in 2020!

In this episode of the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, hosts Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper dive into the exhilarating performance of the French rugby team against Ireland in the Six Nations opening game. They discuss the standout performances of players like Mickael Gaillard and the impressive halfback partnership of DuPont and Jaliber. The duo touches on the atmosphere at Stade de France, the tactical adjustments made by coach Fabien Galthie and the controversial refereeing moment - hit on Jalibert. With additional previews of upcoming matches and reflections on the current state of French and international rugby, this episode is a must-listen for rugby enthusiasts. Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the podcast with the Gallic and French Flair Twist! Established in 2020!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:19 Recap of France vs Ireland Match
01:34 Player Performances and Highlights
08:44 Discussion on Refereeing and Controversies
14:53 Upcoming Matches and Expectations
20:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

17 mins long! French Rugby Express!!!

Join Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper as they dive deep into the latest happenings in French rugby. This episode covers the wet and windy Six Nations Press Conference in Edinburgh, insights into the French squad and key players, and a detailed analysis of potential winners and teams to watch. The hosts also discuss Italy's progress and Wales' challenges, while providing updates on the Top 14 standings and notable matches. Stay tuned for in-depth coverage and predictions for the upcoming matches and developments in the rugby world. Don't miss the special tribute to Uni Antonio following his sudden retirement due to health issues.

Enjoy the French rugby CONNECTIONS, the podcast with the Gallic twist and French Flair! (Est 2020)

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:26 Bienvenue!
00:39 Six Nations Press Conference Highlights
01:10 Speculations and Predictions for Six Nations
02:15 France's Chances and Key Players
03:49 Italy's Performance and Potential
05:03 Wales and Scotland's Challenges
06:28 Upcoming Matches and Key Games
07:06 French Squad Updates and Player Releases
12:16 Top 14 League Highlights
15:53 Pro D2 League and Other Rugby News
17:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper in this episode of the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast as we dive into the latest happenings in the rugby world. We discuss the upcoming 6 Nations opening match in Paris and the contribution of new and influential players in the 42 players selected by Fabien Galthie and his staff to train at Marcoussis. We talked about Fabien Galthié's squad decisions, Antoine Dupont's return, and the presence of young talents. Tune in for an engaging conversation about the latest news about French rugby, in this podcast established in 2020! Enjoy the French rugby CONNECTIONS, the French podcast with the Gallic Twist!

23 mins long!

French Rugby CONNECTIONS: European Cup Strategies, Team Updates, and Behind the Scenes

Join Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper in this episode of the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast as they dive into the latest news and updates from the European Cup. They discuss the challenges faced by Toulouse, the unexpected player selections, and crucial match outcomes. The episode also covers the coaching strategies, player transfers, and noteworthy performances from teams like Bordeaux, Clermont, Toulon, and more. Additionally, they explore the impact of weather conditions, team morale, and the broader implications of recent matches. Tune in for insightful analysis and predictions on the ongoing French Rugby season. Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the podcast about French Rugby and the European CUP, Pro D2, 6 Nations ... with a Gallic Twist - EST 2020!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:52 European Cup Excitement
01:13 Toulouse's Struggles and Key Players
05:20 Other French Teams' Performances
07:33 European Cup Highlights and Lowlights
09:35 Pro D2 Insights
12:47 Player Transfers and Contracts
14:18 Stadium Sale and Business Decisions
15:51 Au Revoir!

We are back!

Join Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper on the latest episode of the French Rugby Connection Podcast! This week, they dive into a detailed review of the recent Champions Cup matches, highlighting both triumphs and setbacks for French teams. They preview the upcoming games and discuss the challenges facing French clubs in the restructured championship. Also, catch up on the latest Top 14 rankings and what's happening in the Pro D2. Plus, updates on notable player movements and coaching changes. Get ready for an action-packed rugby weekend!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:32 Veronique's anecdote - The traitors and rugby connections
01:43 Champions Cup Review and Highlights
04:28 French Teams' Performances and Key Players
07:13 Challenges and Strategies in the Champions Cup
13:06 Upcoming Matches and Predictions
14:56 Top 14 Rankings and Boxing Day Fixtures
02:05 Latest Rugby News and Updates
20:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this edition of the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper discuss the performance of the French rugby team against Fiji, highlighting positives such as the return of key players and the impact on the game. They also address concerns about the intensity of training on player stamina and performance. The lineup for the upcoming match against Australia is analysed, and the hosts provide insights on the importance of the ranking for the Rugby World Cup. Additionally, they review recent Top 14 games, including Pau's victory over Bordeaux Begles, and preview the final and exciting weekend match against Australia. Lastly, they express their hopes for the French team's success and discuss the significance of the upcoming draw for the Rugby World Cup.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:38 Recap of France vs Fiji Match
01:50 Player Performance and Training Intensity
04:43 Team Lineup for France vs Australia
06:20 Australia's Recent Performance
10:25 Importance of Tonight's Game
14:26 Top 14 Updates and Highlights
17:25 The effect of Rugby in Brittany thanks to Vannes
18:22 Rugby World Cup Draw and Aurevoir