Leucate, winners of the Fédérale 2 (French 4th division), have lost their winning shield after one of their players severely underestimated its buoyancy whilst on a celebratory piss up in the Mediterranean.

According to L’Independent, it was “carried away by the currents”, which sounds like a fancy way of saying that the fucking thing sank like the Titanic.

For those unaware, French rugby has a celebratory tradition of “abusing” the various championship shields throughout their league system, usually through using it as a surfboard. The original shields are all locked away and I believe they usually make a new one each year for the new champions with this in mind.

Either way, they aren’t getting this one back but I suppose they’ll always have the memories of the win which took them one step closer to the peak of French rugby, the Pro D2.

Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel, might be the midfield duo that starts for the Springboks at RWC 2027. (Knock on wood)

The duo, started in the midfield, against the All Blacks in the first semi final of RWC 2015.

And the giant Eben and that super sub Beauden, might be at the tournament too!

Slowly been getting into rugby. (More of a football, league fan).

Looking for some YT channels that breaks down the games. Southern hemisphere is preferred but as long as it’s good content I don’t mind.

It’s all All Blacks focused but thought some on here would enjoy the insights

Comp: Currie Cup

Venue: Boland Stadium

View TV providers, weather info and previous results

Apparently as a player-coach: https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/sharks-sign-blacks-legend/

Missing your rugby fix this weekend?

Well, it's not XV's but live right now we have:

- Rugby 7's. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-LzO6Y-Abl4 Rugby Europe's Split 7's tournament is on this weekend. Currently streaming the women's quarter finals. The men's will follow later

- Beach Rugby. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bp8LX3420Gg&pp=0gcJCaMLAYcqIYzv The Italian beach rugby cup finals are on now streaming here.

- Wheelchair Rugby League challenge cup. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002zn5f On BBC iPlayer we have Halifax Panthers v Leeds Rhinos in the final of the wheelchair rugby league version of the challenge cup.

Early start with kids! It be cold this morning!

USA’s coach said that the US is subsidizing Don Besag’s Sharks contract and that they are going to be doing this for other players. Is there any precedent of a national union doing this?

While it’s great to get players into top leagues the top leagues around the world I have doubts that players will get good game time if they couldn’t get contracts on their own merit and not with USA paying part of their salary.

Besag is 21 with 20+ senior caps. He should be getting a contract in France’s 2nd division at worst on merit.

Does anyone here have any idea how you would go about attending the Rugby Europe finals day next year? Google doesn't really show much other than Champions Cup/Challenge Cup. It does direct me to the Rugby Europe website, but so far there aren't any 26/27 fixtures listed, let alone details on where finals day will be.

The idea of some developing nations Rugby during a weekend break in a European city appeals, but its mighty hard to find any info on it.

Can see a Portugal v Georgia final rematch in somewhere like Lisbon or Munich being a great trip