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Queensland Reds head coach Brad Thorn has confirmed his squad for this Saturday’s first pre-season trial against the Western Force in Perth.The 30-man squad features 10 players who are yet to play at Super Rugby level, while new recruits and former Internationals Peni Ravai and Luke Jones will play in the maroon jersey for the first time.Thorn said: “It’s great to have footy back.“We’ve worked hard over the pre-season and it’s exciting to have the season in sight.“This Saturday is an opportunity for a number of players to show what they’ve got at the next level and we’re looking forward to seeing them in action.“The Force are always a tough contest and will be great preparation before the season starts.”After impressing during the pre-season, Wests Hospital Cup winners Connor Anderson, Ethan Dobbins and Ben Navosailagi earn their shot for the Reds, with Phransis Sula-Siaosi, Wilson Blyth and Floyd Aubrey also new faces in the squad.Wallabies Fraser McReight, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia and Harry Wilson will feature as the Reds continue their preparation for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.Queensland kick off their campaign on Saturday 25 with a huge clash against the Hurricanes at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Secure your 2023 Reds membership via https://bit.ly/3UP1YDJ.Western Force v Queensland Reds, Saturday 4 February, UWA Sports Park, Perth, 6:00pm AESTForwardsConnor Anderson – Wests – Brisbane State High School – Everton Park RoostersRichie Asiata – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar SchoolAngus Blyth – Bond University – The Southport School – Casuarina Beach Rugby ClubAlex Davies – University of Queensland – Brisbane Grammar SchoolEthan Dobbins – Wests – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – BrothersMatt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – USQ SaintsLuke Jones – Wests – St Pius X College – St Ives Rugby ClubFraser McReight – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar School – Albany Creek BrumbiesZane Nonggorr – Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast EaglesPeni Ravai – TBC – Ratu Kadavulevu School, FijiRyan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College Shorncliffe – Caboolture SnakesPhransis Sula-Siaosi – Souths – St Joseph’s Nudgee CollegeKeynan Tauakipulu – Wests – Saint Kentigern College, Auckland – Kenmore BearsSeru Uru – Wests – Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji – Namoli Rugby Club, FijiHarry Wilson – Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red DevilsLiam Wright – Easts – Anglican Church Grammar School – EastsDane Zander – University of Queensland – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – Albany Creek BrumbiesBacksFloyd Aubrey – GPS – Marist College AshgroveLawson Creighton – Brothers – Padua CollegeFilipo Daugunu – Wests – Dogotuki District School, FjiiJosh Flook – Brothers – St Joseph’s Nudgee College – BrothersMac Grealy – University of Queensland – Downlands College – Souths ToowoombaIsaac Henry – Wests – Brisbane Boys College – Kenmore BearsTom Lynagh – University of Queensland – Epsom College – Richmond Rugby ClubBen Navosailagi – Wests – St Peter’s Lutheran College – WestsHarry McLaughlin-Phillips – Souths – Brisbane Boys College – Gunnedah Red DevilsHunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, AucklandJordan Petaia – Wests – Brisbane State High SchoolKalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School – SouthsLouis Werchon – Wests – Sunshine Coast Grammar School – Maroochydore SwansClick Here: Womens Rowing Forever Stamps 2022

This is part of our 22/23 Ligue 1 Handbook, the ultimate guide to French Football – You can see our end of season predictions and read every team’s profile right here.

Key Player: Téji Savanier – Club captain Téji Savanier makes everything tick on and off the pitch at Montpellier. Whether scoring an imperious free kick or linking midfield and attack with a breath-taking pass, Savanier is crucial to Montpellier’s style. Often trying passes that others wouldn’t dream of, there aren’t many midfielders in Europe who can be compared with Savanier’s progressive and expressive play, shown by his 5.85 progressive passes per 90 minutes. His success rate may not be the highest, but it’s the Frenchman’s risk-taking that makes him so unpredictable. Savanier is also a threat in the final third, and his eight strikes and seven assists meant nobody contributed to more goals for Montpellier last season. Unafraid of shooting from distance, Savanier can score from almost anywhere. If he can come up with more moments of brilliance and be the same influential figure, Montpellier will owe their successes this season to the Frenchman.

Signing To Watch: Wahbi Khazri – Vital to Saint-Étienne’s few recent successes before their relegation, it will be interesting to see what sort of influence Whabi Khazri holds under Olivier Dall’Oglio at Montpellier. Scoring 10 goals last season shows that the Tunisian will add firepower at La Pallaide, who struggled in front of goal towards the back end of last season. After teenager Elye Wahi enjoyed his best scoring season yet, Dall’Oglio needs to find a way to use Khazri in tandem with his growing list of attacking options, which includes exciting Englishman Stephy Mavididi. Considering the influence Khazri held at Saint-Étienne and his consistent Ligue 1 scoring record, this free transfer could become one of the signings of the season. His early season form has demonstrated as such, helping MHSC revive their goal-shy nature as both a goal threat and a facilitator. 

Transfer Window Analysis – A shrewd Montpellier only spent £900k this summer0. Considering their struggles in front of goal, strengthening their attack was the priority. Khazri already seems at home with three goal contributions in his first five appearances. Former Toulouse centre-back Christopher Julien’s return to France from Celtic, meanwhile, offers experience in the defensive department. That increase in Ligue 1 know-how is key for a club looking to recover from a rocky end to the season but there’s a lack of depth in midfield, which hasn’t been addressed. Savanier is Montpellier’s beating heart and the wily Jordan Ferri has been around Ligue 1 for a long time at the top level but, if Savanier was to get injured, Montpellier’s chances of success would be badly damaged with no evident replacement and a lack of depth in central areas generally. However, Faitout Maouassa, who returns from an unsuccessful spell in Belgium after leaving Rennes, and Aranud Nordin, a versatile forward from Saint-Étienne, add pace, intensity and creativity from wide areas. Both have made good starts in Montpellier’s attacking setup.

Strengths – With Nordin and Khazri free signings, Montpellier have looked their strongest in attack since the departures of prolific strikers Gaëtan Laborde and Andy Delort last summer. There was a lack of grit in their performances at the end of last season and they lacked a clinical edge in front of goal, but, with Wahi still improving, Khazri renowned for being a handful and Mavididi’s impressive finishing, Montpellier should eradicate last season’s more goal-shy nature. Nordin isn’t the most prolific but offers a dynamic and pacey option and depth to what could be an imposing front three while journeyman Ligue 1 striker Valère Germain offers a reliable reserve option up front.

Weakness – While Montpellier are blessed in forward areas, the rest of the team raises questions. Jonas Omlin is one of the best keepers in France but those ahead of him didn’t cover themselves in glory last season. The back line has been strengthened by Jullien but consistency is needed if Montpellier are to improve as a unit which is proving tricky as defensive leader, former Liverpool and Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho, has yet to assert himself in Ligue 1 since his return. Central midfield is also a concern given that Savanier is relied upon so heavily for transition and output and, without him, Montpellier would be looking down the table rather than up.

Verdict – Montpellier have had a mixed start to the campaign but their form has improved from a rocky second half of last season. Attacking improvements should address issues in the final third with Khazri the stand-out acquisition. How quickly Jullien finds his feet, out of favour and injured at Celtic in recent months, will be key but he has the quality to improve the defence. However, it appears Dall’Oglio is a Savanier injury away from his season being derailed after the midfield departures of Florent Mollet for Schalke and Remy Cabella for Lille.

Liam Wraith

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Whilst not reading too much into the pair of victories, ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham believes the club is preparing nicely for their Super Rugby Pacific opener against the NSW Waratahs on February 24.The Brumbies survived a valiant effort from the Melbourne Rebels to secure the 35-33 win in Wagga Wagga.It's the second week in a row the ACT-based club have held on late for victory after holding off a late charge from the NSW Waratahs in Griffith.“We stuck in there. The most pleasing thing from our perspective is the amount of composure the players had on the field,” Larkham said after the match.“Even when things went wrong, we stuck to our principles and worked our way back into the game.“…We don’t really read too much into the trials at the Brumbies. We’ve got a number of players who have never played for the club on the field in these last two weeks“I think we’ve had really good preparation into these two weeks. I would say our execution is off a little bit from where it needs to be but we know that we’ve got a couple of weeks to sharpen up.The presence of their Wallabies contingency helped change the game, headlined by a double from Len Ikitau.The centre scored twice in ten minutes, spinning through multiple tacklers to score before running the perfect line to seal the win.He was amongst several scheduled to miss both trials, only to be cleared late after receiving special clearance from Rugby Australia to get valuable minutes before their opening clash in a fortnight.“It was pleasing for those guys to get out there," Larkham admits.“They spoke to me after the game last week about getting some minutes. They were pretty keen to get out there and feel the intensity of a live game“…That’s exactly what we wanted to do, Lenny (Ikitau) can take a lot of confidence with a couple of nice carries and two tries…it’s hard to come into Super Rugby without any trial time and I think that’s going to allow those guys to have a lot more confidence heading into round one.” Click Here: cheap puma men shoes

As reported by L’Équipe, Christophe Galtier is planning a change in tactics after the team’s 3-4-3 set-up has struggled for the same impact it had in the earlier part of the season across recent games.

After a tricky first half in Israel against Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League this week, a game PSG eventually won 3-1 after falling behind, Galtier recognised that space between his front three, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, and PSG’s midfield and the defence allowed Haifa to cause Paris problems. It seems that, with a chance to analyse Paris’ new set up having seen it across several games now, opposition teams are starting to formulate a stronger defence.

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In response, Galtier could consider moving back to a four-man defence, but that move would demand more defensive effort from his front three, who have offered relatively little protection so far, and Galtier is reluctant to impose restraints on his attackers. Galtier is also thinking about adding a central midfielder to the side, to aid Vitinha and Marco Verratti, who can be outnumbered in central areas. That, however, given the importance of PSG’s wing-backs, means Galtier is contemplating dropping one of Messi, Mbappé or Neymar for a forward more willing to press and hold shape.

The sports daily suggest Galtier is asking himself if PSG can win the Champions League with three attackers who don’t defend or hold shape with the rest of the team. The answer could make for some difficult decisions.

France survived a major scare against Italy in Rome as they hung on to win 29-24 in a nerve-racking Six Nations triumph on Sunday.

Tries from Thibaud Flament, Thomas Ramos, Ethan Dumortier and Matthieu Jalibert saw Les Bleus seal a bonus-point win, with Ramos also kicking nine points.

Italy came agonisingly close to claiming a memorable victory though, with Ange Capuozzo’s score and a penalty try added to by four penalties from Tommaso Allan.

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The visitors were dealt a second-half scare when Charles Ollivon was sent to the sin bin and Italy were awarded that penalty try, at one point taking a second-half lead through Allan.

But Les Bleus fended off the threat and will look to extend their winning streak to 15 when they travel to Ireland next weekend in round two of the Six Nations.

France were on the scoresheet after four minutes when Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney attempted a box-kick only to be thwarted by the six-foot-eight Flament, who intercepted before going on an unstoppable run over the whitewash, with Ramos adding the extras.

Allan booted in a penalty to narrow the deficit before France had a try ruled out, but Les Bleus soon restored their advantage through Ramos.

Allan added another penalty for the Azzurri before Dumortier collected Romain Ntamack’s cross-field kick and dotted down to open his account for France.

Impressive finish from Capuozzo

Italy responded through Capuozzo, who went on a spritely run and was able to evade Gregory Alldritt before getting the ball down in the left corner, with Allan adding a penalty to make it 19-14 at the halfway point.

Ramos added three more but Ollivon was soon punished for bringing down the maul and the penalty try was awarded after a review. Allan soon made no mistake to slot his fourth penalty through the posts to give his side the lead for the first time in the 61st minute.

Five minutes later, however, France displayed their depth when Jalibert came off the bench and made an instant impact, scoring with his first touch to secure the bonus point.

Presnel Kimpembe has come under immense criticism after the incident that saw the Paris-Saint Germain defender holding the referee’s arm and then pushing him quite violently in the game against Brest.

However, with RMC Sport reporting that Jérémie Pignard didn’t mention the incident in his post-match assertion, it is understood that there will not be any disciplinary actions taken against the French superstar.

The incident took place in PSG’s 1-0 win over Brest, with the 27-year-old starting the game as the captain of the Ligue 1 champions. Following a rash tackle on Brest’s Irvin Cardona, Pignard came forward to give the defender a piece of his mind and issue a warning.

But, as revealed by the Dimanche Soir Football show on Amazon Prime, the player was trying to escape the situation, subsequently saying to the referee, “Woah, don’t touch me, brother!” Why are you touching me? Don’t touch me!“

As Pignard didn’t make any mention of the incident in his follow-up match report, it is unlikely that Kimpembe will receive any sanction from the LFP disciplinary committee.

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Western Force coach Simon Cron is turning to Michael Jordan and the 90s Bulls for inspiration as he looks to deliver a killer edge to the squad.Cron finally gets the chance as head coach of a Super Rugby side, returning from Japan after a stint with Toyota Verblitz.The former Norths boss was widely tipped as the next Waratahs coach-in-waiting during his time as an assistant under Daryl Gibson, before making the decision to head overseas in 2019 when Gibson was re-signed.Cron returns to Australia with a wealth of experience under Director of Rugby and former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.To get the best out of the side, he is channelling the energy of Jordan and one of the NBA's greatest dynasties in order to get the players to understand their roles.“One of the things for our boys is to understand what great looks like,” he explained. “The boys learn each week about things they’ve done and how they did it.  “In our team, we have those (Dennis) Rodman’s, (Scotty) Pippen’s, (Michael) Jordan’s so it’s about understanding your role in our team."The hallmark of those Bulls' sides was their ability to close out pressure games during their two three-peats. Think Steve Kerr's game-winner in game six of 1997 and Jordan's famous crossover/jumper in '98.It's a trait the Force missed in 2022, losing five games by less than a converted try.“I think we need to make sure we’re fit enough so we can go for 85 minutes and I think the boys are," Cron said on what's missing.“I think we also need to understand the big moments and what they do in them and a lot of that is just staying where your feet are, staying present and doing the job at that time.“That’s been the big work on for us, making sure we don’t get affected by scoreboard or time.”If Izack Rodda is the Jordan of their pack, former Rebels backrower Michael Wells will likely serve as his Pippen, named as captain on Monday.Wells is joined by Wallaby Folau Fainga'a (a character in his own right but void of any Dennis Rodman-like off-the-field traits or trips to Las Vegas), with Cron hopeful they can help complement a front row filled with internationals such as Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu'u and Santiago Medrano.“Wellsy adds that hard edge around expectations and where we want to go,” Cron believes.“He’s also very clear and crisp around communication on the field so that’s critical for our team.“Folau (Fainga’a) leads by action. He’s in great shape and I love him as a player and human so we’re enjoying him in this environment.”Click Here: South Sydney Rabbitohs jersey

Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton confirmed that he is fit and ready to play against France for the first time in three years ahead of the massive showdown on Saturday.

Sexton has passed a head injury assessment (HIA) and recovered from a dead leg in time for Saturday’s game, which could be definitive in the title race.

The playmaker has not played against France since Ireland lost 35-27 in 2020, where the veteran was frustrated for being subbed off during the game.

“No more hiccups”

The Irishman is looking for “no more hiccups” ahead of the massive clash and is looking forward to running out at the Aviva Stadium.

“I was saying this morning, the last two Wednesdays before France over the last two fixtures, I’ve ended up pulling out, so to get through today is great,” said Sexton.

“I can look forward to the game, hopefully no more hiccups.

“Obviously, the confusion around the HIA and stuff like that, there’s nothing I can control about that, but I’ll be ready to go for 80 this week if needed.

“It feels like a huge game. There’s no point in saying anything otherwise.

“You can’t just come in here and say ‘it’s just another game’ because it’s not, it’s one we’ve waited a long time for and I’ve read that they want this test – to come to the Aviva and try and overturn us. It’s a huge game.”

Fixing past memory

Sexton knows it is a big clash against their biggest title rivals this year and wants to set memories from years gone straight with a win on Saturday.

“They are always big weeks, often for me something comes out of the woodwork in French week and I’m expecting something later in the week,” he said.

“It’s always a big game; I grew up in an era of watching Ireland lose to France, heavily, to then sort of see the first teams beating them and then to be part of teams beating them has been amazing.

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“But you still have those memories from a young kid of France coming and demolishing Ireland. You probably naturally feel the underdog at my age, whereas the younger lads probably don’t. It’s a strange mixture in the squad.”

Favourites tag

France fly-half Romain Ntamack labelled Ireland as favourites for the clash, which does not bother Sexton.

“I don’t really mind, the favourites tag is not something we mention internally,” he said

“Being number one in the world, the public or the press will do it or the opposition will, but it comes down to the performance on the day.

“If we’re favourites, we’re favourites. It doesn’t really bother me if that’s what he says.”

From winning the World Cup for France to remaining winless in the last four UEFA Nations League games, Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembélé and Paris-Saint Germain’s Kylian Mbappé have survived the peaks and valleys together, forming a formidable partnership in the process.

Speaking to the mics of RMC Sport, the 25-year-old Frenchman admitted that he would like to play more with Mbappé. Competing for a place in a France side full of talented players, Dembélé also elaborated on the need to be at his best to book a place in Didier Deschamps’ starting XI. He said:

“I would like us to play a little more together [with Mbappé]. In the field, we get along very, very well. I know his qualities, he knows mine. We played what, 4-5 games him and I together? And it went very well. I remember against England or against Italy before the World Cup. I want to do everything to work, to be in the eleven.”

Having made his international debut in 2016, Dembélé has just joined the French contingent for their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches in what appears to be his seventh call-up to the national colours. Deschamps’ men take on Austria on Thursday. In the international circuit, the former Borussia Dortmund man has scored four goals from 27 appearances.

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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has released the dates for the hearing of the disputed transfer of Marseille midfielder Pape Gueye.

L’Équipe report that the hearing of the case concerning the Senegalese has been scheduled for February 15 and 16, 2023. The examining body was initially expected to undertake the case in October. But as per the recent updates, the dates for the have been moved further, opening two scopes for the 23-year-old and the Ligue 1 side.

The report now understands that Gueye, despite being under threat of a suspension from FIFA, will be able to represent Senegal in the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

Furthermore, Marseille, subject to a possible sanction, will be able to sign players in the next January transfer window, meaning that they would be able to strengthen their squad in the anticipation of a possible transfer ban.

The CAS will look into Gueye’s “controversial” free transfer to Marseille in the summer of 2020 from Le Havre, where the player had signed a pre-contract with English club Watford a few months before moving to OM. Following the bizarre events, FIFA sanctioned Marseille with a transfer ban and suspended the player for four months.

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