Evens out the cup and I genuinely can't pick a winner which makes it all the better for neutrals. Is there such a lack of quality in depth in French rugby league though?

Injuries. In Mounis's case, seems it's just a cumulative effect of the amount of game time he's had.

You know I think there is a huge lack of quality in depth. Regarding evening out the competition I do agree with you but as we have seen previously that France, even with their best players can turn out some terrible performances against lesser nations.

Catalan acadmey vs "Superleague dregs+college rugby players". Gotta fancy our chances reguardless

Without a doubt... but then you remember the World Cup

Yes, though little is spoken about NZb (Samoa) doing just as bad as we did.

You obviously haven't been on the Samoan board

A late thought here but, no Rinaldi?

....and if no Rinaldi, why no big Artie Shead? I know he is one of the francais etrangers but he has played frequently before and is not a jean venu lately, showed up very well against NZ last year in Toulouse (I didn't see the Australia game in Paris), knocked the living daylights out of the Limouxin pack on Sunday, and put in a 60 minute stint. He would terrify the life out of the Wales, Scotland, Ireland forwards who will have seen nothing like him before running down the right hand side of their defence.



Bobbie said its 'cos he's too old....

You are Artie Shead's agent and I claim my €5.

Damn you, found out so quickly.

Must admit he did impress in the game at Toulouse, but it wasn't all that difficult as the rest were going towards pish.