Join Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper  as they break down all the action from Round 2 and reveal what lies ahead for Round 3, in just 22 minutes

A few teams hit some unexpected turbulence this round—ouch!—but remember, this is just the beginning. There’s still plenty of time to turn things around, adjust strategies, and climb the leaderboard. 

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Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper launch season seven of the French Rugby Connection Podcast by recapping Top 14 round one and key rugby news in 19 Minutes!

19 minutes long! No ads! Established in 2020!

Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the rugby podcast with the Gallic twist and va-va-voum!

Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast,  the rugby podcast with the French flair and the va-va-voum!  No ADS! Established in 2020!

Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper review France’s end-of-season tour, highlighted by a 42–15 win over Japan after a narrow loss to New Zealand and a bonus-point record win over Australia, leaving Les Bleus top of the Northern table and having scored 16 tries in three matches. They discuss Fabien Galthié’s successful experiments (Jalibert at 15, Ntamack at 10) and standout newcomers such as Aaron Grand-Didier Kanong, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Gazotti, Lamothe, and other scrum-half options, noting the squad’s depth despite missing stars like Dupont and Ramos. They praise the competitive new Nations Championship format but flag defense as a work in progress after Shaun Edwards’ departure, with Joffrey Dumauru mentioned. They preview November tests (Fiji, South Africa, Argentina), discuss Vannes’ Brittany pre-season tour and local rugby growth, and recap France U20s losing a tight final to South Africa.

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Véronique Landew and Bill Hooper recap Toulouse’s latest title win over a tenacious Montpellier and note Toulouse’s chance to break a 1990s-era record with a fifth consecutive Top 14 win next year. They then review the inaugural Nations Championship match in which New Zealand beat France 34–32, praising France’s fast start (Penaud try inside 60 seconds) but citing missed tackles, getting drawn into rucks, limited width in attack, fatigue after a long season, and a late switch from Lucu to Le Garrec; they highlight Jallibert’s kicking and a missed wide conversion, and expect Dupont to return against Australia. Regarding French rugby news, France U20s beat Fiji 45–15 and Spain 57–32, with a racist-abuse allegation under World Rugby review, and face Australia on 7 July. They discuss Champions/Challenge Cup draws and Toulouse’s 2.88m-euro salary-cap fine linked to image-rights issues.

Top 14 Final Preview & French Rugby NEWS in 18 minutes! NO ADS. 

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Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper preview the Top 14 final at a hot, muggy Stade de France between regular-season top two Toulouse and Montpellier, noting an alcohol-free perimeter and mandatory hydration breaks for the players. They discuss Toulouse’s experience (fourth straight final, aiming for a fourth consecutive title; record 24 French championships) and selection, including Ramos on the bench and Ntamack likely kicking, plus a strong bench, while mentioning inquiries into salary-cap/image-rights issues affecting Antoine Dupont and Anthony Jelonch. Montpellier’s resurgence is highlighted after nearly being relegated, their 2022 title, Bernard Laporte’s influence, a powerful pack and back row featuring Billy Vunipola, and their earlier 44–14 win over Toulouse. They give score predictions, recall Toulouse’s 2011 final win, and cover news on Fabien Galthie finalizing a France squad for New Zealand, the U20 World Cup (France vs Fiji), and the French women’s final.
Enjoy the French Rugby CONNECTIONS Podcast, the podcast with the French Flair! NO ADS! Established in 2020!

00:00 Bonjour, Rugby Friends!
00:48 Final Top 14 ce soir
01:33 Stade de France without alcool
01:55 Toulouse wants to make history 
03:53 Squads Review and favourite to win?
05:46 Salary cap's bad smell
07:26 XV de départ Toulouse
08:30 Montpellier like a phoenix
11:44  MHR - Back to basics
12:15 Montpellier's quad & who is likely to win? 
15:19 What? Another competition for Les Bleus down under?
16:45 Other Rugby News
17:17 Where can you see the Top 14 final?
18:18 Au revoir, Rugby Friends!

The French Rugby CONNECTONS Podcast, the rugby podcast with the French flair! 17 mins long, no Ads. Established in 2020

Veronique Landew and co-host Bill Hooper discuss French rugby, starting with Pro D2 champions Vannes returning to the Top 14. They preview the Top 14 barrages: Pau vs Racing 92 at Stade du Hameau, noting Pau’s long wait since their last title in 1964, their renaissance and France-linked players, and both predict a Pau win; and Stade Français vs La Rochelle, highlighting La Rochelle’s late-season surge into the top six despite injuries and Uini Atonio’s heart-related retirement, and calling it too close to call. They note the winners face Toulouse and Montpellier in Marseille. Other news includes the access match Provence vs Perpignan, Tom Willis named Premiership player of the season and moving to Bordeaux-Bègles, and the ongoing Sean Edwards departure saga.

Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper recap the Pro D2 final in Toulouse at Ernest Wallon, where Vannes beat Philippe Saint-André’s Provence 18–14 to win the PRO D2 Final and earn direct promotion to the Top 14, praising the massive Breton support, tense finish, and key tries by Robin Taccola and Ben Stevenson, while noting Provence still face an access match vs Perpignan. They then review Top 14 round 26, highlighted by Union Bordeaux-Bègles missing the top six after a 34–31 home loss to Clermont, while La Rochelle’s 27–22 win over Stade Français secured sixth place. They list other results, confirm the top six, and outline the barrage matchups (Stade Français–La Rochelle, Pau–Racing 92), with Toulouse and Montpellier into the semifinals in Marseille and the final at Stade de France. They discuss rumors of Shaun Edwards leaving France, possible replacement Gérald Bastide, and send best wishes to Toulon’s Gaël Dréan after heart surgery.

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Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper preview the Champions Cup final in Bilbao between Union Bordeaux Bègles and Leinster, expecting a tight match where breakdown policing, heat, and Bordeaux’s pacey backline (Penaud, Bielle-Biarrey, Jalibert, Lucu) could be decisive, while warning of Leinster’s structure - Coach Nienaber-led defense, and Gibson-Park’s influence; both predict a Bordeaux win (around 25–15 or 28–12). They applaud Montpellier’s third Challenge Cup title after scoring nine tries against Ulster, highlighting Vunipola’s captaincy and Beccornu as Man of the Match, and discuss Montpellier’s Top 14 form. They review the Top 14 table, note Pro D2 playoff pairings (Vannes vs Oyonnax; Provence vs Brive winner to face Colomiers), recap France women’s 43–28 loss to England in Bordeaux, mention rumors about South African clubs leaving the Champions Cup.

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Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper preview Le Crunch as France, unbeaten in this Six Nations, face England’s Red Roses, unbeaten since losing to France in 2018, in the sold-out finale at Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux, discussing France’s improved belief under their new coach, Francois Ratier, defensive strength, discipline, but aware of the threats posed by England.  They then review Top 14 Round 24 fixtures, explain the barrage playoff format, and assess the tight race for the top six, with Toulouse leading and Montpellier in second after a strong win over Toulon featuring a standout Antoine Dupont display. In Pro D2, they recap Vannes finishing top ahead of Colomiers, outline upcoming barrages and relegation playoffs, and share news on Montpellier under Bernard Laporte, Billy Vunipola, Luke Whitelock’s retirement, Juan Cruz Mallia’s Toulouse extension to 2029, and Vannes player retirements.

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Veronique Landew and Bill Hooper review the European Cup semi-finals, praising Toulon’s narrow 29–25 loss to Leinster in Dublin and Bordeaux Bègles’ high-intensity win over Bath at a sold-out Chaban-Delmas to set up a Champions Cup final vs Leinster in Bilbao. They highlight the fly-half duel between Matthieu Jalibert and Finn Russell,  and their unexpectedly strong defence, while criticising pundit and coaching complaints about refereeing and warning about match official abuse filtering down to grassroots. They preview the Challenge Cup final (Montpellier vs Ulster) and run through Top 14 standings and key Round 23 fixtures, including Toulon vs Toulouse at the Vélodrome and Racing 92 vs La Rochelle, plus Pro D2’s Provence comeback win over Vannes.

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