This is unfair rugby World Rugby Regulation 9 infringements of the week (3/?)

Each week of international rugby, I will give the list of every first string players retained by their professional club. These clubs violates without any fear one of the most important regulation of World Rugby. You can read the regulation about availability of players here.

Week of 15/03 to 21/03/2015

Italy-Wales : Nobody

England-France : Nobody

Scotland-Ireland : Nobody

This week, the list of outlaws clubs is shortening thanks to Carcassonne discovery of Word Rugby Laws.

Russia-Portugal :
Despite being heavily composed of domestic players, Russia can't play with all his best players.
Kirill Kulemin of Perpignan improperly retired but only for his national team which is not at the level of his club...

It's worse than ever for Portugal...
These players are retained :
Lionel Campergue of Périgueux (French level 3)
Tony Martins of Limoges (French level 3)
Mike Tadjer of Massy
Fabio Da Silva of Bourgoin
Samuel Marques of Pau
David Penalva of Montauban
Christian Spachuk of Bourgoin
Pedro Bettencourt Avila of Clermont
Julien Bardy of Clermont

Romania-Georgia
Romania get back most of his players. Last week, a depleted Romania nearly lost its first game against Germany since 1938.
Catalin Fercu of Saracens

Still some respect to Georgia. Dmitri Basilaia returned from an injury last week. We can't be sure he's retained by Perpignan

Spain-Germany :
Late January, Spain designated a 53-player squad list. Excellent players from Top 14 and Pro D2 were named in the squad. This list strangely disappeared from the official website of FER. This is Spain fifth game in the Rugby Europe Championship.
More players than ever from this list will play against Germany. Many players are no more retained fot the last match of Spain in the REC. Are still illegally retained since the beginning :
Charly Malie of Montauban
Mathieu Belie of Perpignan
Charles Giménez of Biarritz
Mathieu Peluchon of Albi

Those Spanish players are retained for the second consecutive week :
Gauthier Giboin of Montauban
Marco Pinto Ferrer of Béziers

Germany get back most of his retained players from last week.
Still retained :
Rob Elloway of London Welsh

This is unfair rugby World Rugby Regulation 9 infringements of the week

Each week of international rugby, I will give the list of every first string players retained by their professional club. These clubs violates without any fear one of the most important regulation of World Rugby. You can read the regulation about availability of players here.

Week of 08/03 to 14/03/2015

Wales-Ireland : Nobody

Italy-France : Nobody

England-Scotland : Nobody

This week, the list of outlaws clubs is longer than ever.

Portugal-Spain :
Some clubs illegally decided that releasing Portuguese players to play for Germany was enough... Good point for Périgueux who decided to give up illegality releasing Lionel Campergue.
These players are retained :
Mike Tadjer of Massy
José Lima of Carcassonne
Fabio Da Silva of Bourgoin
Samuel Marques of Pau
David Penalva of Montauban
Christian Spachuk of Bourgoin
Pedro Bettencourt Avila of Clermont
Julien Bardy of Clermont

Late January, Spain designated a 53-player squad list. Excellent players from Top 14 and Pro D2 were named in the squad. This list strangely disappeared from the official website of FER. This is Spain fourth game in the Rugby Europe Championship.
None of the players above appeared for Spain for all four :
Mathieu Visensang of Bayonne
Sebastien Rouet of Narbonne
Charly Malie of Montauban
Mathieu Belie of Perpignan
Christopher Ruiz of Narbonne
Fabien Gramático of Carcassonne
Charles Giménez of Biarritz
Mathieu Peluchon of Albi

New players retained are :
Guillaume Rouet of Bayonne
Beñat Auzqui of Bordeaux-Bègles
Gauthier Giboin of Montauban
Fernando Lopez of Massy
Marco Pinto Ferrer of Béziers

First four names were starting two weeks ago against Georgia.

Georgia-Russia
Clubs definitly start to respect Georgia. Maybe World Rugby take care. None Georgian first team players were retained this week.

Despite being heavily composed of domestic players, Russia can't play with all his best players.
Kirill Kulemin of Perpignan improperly retired but only for his national team which is not at the level of his club...

Germany-Romania :
Germany lost more players because of rule 9 infringements.
Are retained :
Damien Tussac of Montauban
Rob Elloway of London Welsh
Chris Hilsenbeck of Colomiers
Paul Bosh of Nevers (French level 3)

Romania lost more players than two weeks ago. Perpignan finally released Paulica Ion.
Mihai Lazar of Castres
Horace Pungea of Lyon
Alin Coste of Carcassonne
Andrei Ursache of Carcassonne
Last time, I forgot (sadly they're still retained) :
Catalin Fercu of Romania
Mihai Macovei of Massy
Valentin Ursache of Oyonnax


Belgium-Moldova : 
Last week, La Rochelle retained a Dutch play, this week, this a Belgian :
Julien Berger of La Rochelle
Jens Torfs of Perpignan
Guillaume Piron of Colomiers

Ospreys finally released Dmitri Arhip. Uncertaincy remains for :
Vadim Cobilas of Sale Sharks
Maxim Cobilas of Sale Sharks
Andrei Mahu of Zebre

Unfair Rugby Feature World Rugby Regulation 9 infringements of the week

Each week of international rugby, I will give the list of every first string players retained by their professional club. These clubs violates without any fear one of the most important regulation of World Rugby. You can read the regulation about availability of players here.

Week of 23/02 to 01/03/2015

Scotland-Italy : Nobody

France-Wales : Nobody

Ireland-England : Nobody

Spain-Georgia :
Late January, Spain designated a 53-player squad list. Excellent players from Top 14 and Pro D2 were named in the squad. This list strangely disappeared from the official website of FER. This is Spain third meeting of the Rugby Europe Championship.
None of the players above appeared for Spain for all three :
Mathieu Visensang of Bayonne
Sebastien Rouet of Narbonne
Charly Malie of Montauban
Mathieu Belie of Perpignan
Christopher Ruiz of Narbonne
Fabien Gramático of Carcassonne
Charles Giménez of Biarritz
Mathieu Peluchon of Albi

This week only :
Marco Pinto Ferrer of Béziers

Georgia situation is improving, maybe the clubs start to see that retaining Georgians is more visible.
Only one player is retained to play for Georgia this week :
Davit Zirakashvili of Clermont

Portugal-Germany :
Portugal lost last week by a small margin against Georgia, many first string players were absent, this week they were released to play against Germany. Still many players are retained :
José Lima of Carcassonne
Lionel Campergue of Périgueux
Fabio Da Silva of Bourgoin
Samuel Marques of Pau
David Penalva of Montauban
Christian Spachuk of Bourgoin

Germany lost last week without several first choice.
Are retained :
Damien Tussac of Montauban
Rob Elloway of London Welsh

Russia-Romania : 
Despite being heavily composed of domestic players, Russia can't play with all his best players.
Kirill Kulemin of Perpignan retired but only for his national team which is not at the level of his club...

Romania got back several players against Spain but some remains retained.
Paulica Ion of Perpignan (yes again)
Alin Coste of Carcassonne (yes again)
Andrei Ursache of Carcassonne (...)

Netherlands-Moldova : 
This Dutch player is retained :
Zeno Kieft of La Rochelle

Moldova seems to have no rights inside World Rugby :
Vadim Cobilas of Sale Sharks
Maxim Cobilas of Sale Sharks
Dmitru Arhip of Ospreys
Andrei Mahu of Zebre
All are retained.

How Samoa amazing depth keeps growing

When Samoa secured the 7th place in the IRB Rankings last November to book their place in the second band for the World Cup draw, many saw an opportunist and lucky move. Right, it was, at least, a bit lucky, but Samoa really confirmed its new elite status in the tournament played in South Africa during June. So, what really changed for Samoa since a few years ?
First, you can't underestimate the power of Samoa victory against Australia in 2010. That's clearly the kind of wins which leave its mark for a generation of players.
Second, Samoan players found a way to send a message to world rugby like Argentina did it before. They used their unfair treatment during 2011 RWC as a genious communication plan. It put all world rugby in a certain atmosphere about Samoa. It's important to have a clear message which means something to the players concerned by Samoa.
Third, and not the least, Samoa really improved its training standards. With the help of the IRB, coaching, nutrition, conditioning, mental approach, physicality (yes, they still can), everything. Samoa is really the first nation to benefit from an IRB plan. They built different facilities in Apia, improved their youth academies, played more useful games with the Pacific Rugby Cup.
And finally, Samoa put a definitive end to the "All Blacks attraction", many Samoa-born players were convinced Manu Samoa will give them a better aspiration than some meaningless caps with New Zealand. It's really about meaning and my second point is not out of consideration about that. The commitment of the Williams brothers (Paul was decisive in the Sydney historic win) nearly reversed the phenom. Since, more and more NZ-born players are committing themseleves to Manu Samoa.
Let's have a look on the brand new depth. For exemple, Samoa have an amazing pool of players at front row. It's not even sure Census Jonhston (Toulouse key player) is still the best Samoan front rower, Logovi'i Mulipola is now a monster player for the Premiership champions Leicester, but he have to fight for the job at loosehead with James Johnston (Saracens) and Zak Taulafo (Stade Français). And Naama Leleimalefaga (25, Montpellier) is rising fast. Anthony Perenise, former key player of the Manu is not even called in the last squad because Stephen Betham prefers to grow younger Viliamu Afatia (Agen). Half of these players are born in New Zealand (the Johnstons and Perenise). In every position, Samoa uses the diversity of players' origin as a force to advance.
Current Samoa biggest problem comes from his goal-kicking abilities. Only James So'oialo is a world-class goal kicker. His recent problem with Connacht ruled him out of the squad for November tour with the disappointed result we know. Even if Samoa names are impressive, a lot have be done on the field.

National teams collapse in Las Vegas (LVI Elite 7's complete scores and rankings)

Pool A :
Spain 31 v Chicago Lions 5
Bermuda 13 v Peru 31
Spain 46 v Peru 0
Bermuda 0 v Chicago Lions 31

Spain 45 v Berumuda 0
Chicago Lions 38 v Peru 0

Ranking :
1. Spain 6 pts
2. Chicago Lions 4"
3. Peru 2"
4. Bermuda 0"

Pool B :
Chile 21 v Tiger Rugby 21
Philippine Pacific 31 v Alaska Golden Bears 5
Chile 24 v Alaska Golden Bears 12
Philippine Pacific 12 v Tiger Rugby 20

Chile 47 v Philippine Pacific 5
Tiger Rugby 45 v Alaska Golden Bears 5

Ranking :
1. Chile 5 pts
2. Tiger Rugby 5"
3. Philippine Pacific 2"
4. Alaska Golden Bears 0"

Pool C :
Guyana 12 v Force XV Froggies 19
Mexico 0 v Social Vibe Pups 31
Guyana 14 v Social Vibe Pups 36
Mexico 12 v Force XV Froggies 19

Social Vibe Pups 35 v Force XV Froggies 0
Guyana 19 v Mexico 14


Ranking :
1. Social Vibe Pups 6 pts
2. Force XV Froggies 4"
3. Guyana 2"
4. Mexico 0"

Pool D :
Romania 14 v Denver Barbarians 14
Dog River Howlers 17 v Columbus 12
Romania 30 v Columbus 7
Dog River Howlers 21 v Denver Barbarians 21

Romania 10 v Dog River Howlers 19
Denver Barbarians 0 v Columbus 1

Ranking :
1. Dog River Howlers 5 pts
2. Romania 3"
3. Denver Barbarians 2"
4. Columbus 2"

Bowl quarter-finals :
Peru 26 v Alaska 14
Denver 14 v Mexico 5
Guyana 17 v Columbus 12
Philippines Pacific 38 v Bermuda 0

Bowl semi-final :
Peru 7 v Denver 28
Guyana v Philippines Pacific

Bowl final :
Denver v Guyana or PP

Cup quarter-finals :
Social Vibe Pups 36 v Romania 7
Chile 26 v Chicago Lions 0
Force XV Froggies 26 v Dog River Howlers 14
Spain 12 v Tiger Rugby 14

Cup semi-final :
Social Vibe Pups 7 v Chile 0
Force XV Froggies 14 v Tiger Rugby 19

Cup 3rd/4th final :
Chile 14 v Force XV Froggies 0

Cup final :
Social Vibe Pups 19 v Tiger Rugby 0

Complete Las Vegas Invitational Elite schedule

Eight national teams are playing in the Las Vegas Invitational Elite Sevens.
The pools are :
Pool A : Spain, Bermuda, Peru, Chicago Lions
Pool B : Chile, Philippine Pacific, Tiger Rugby, Alaska Golden Bears
Pool C : Guyana, Mexico, Force XV Froggies, Social Vibe Pups
Pool D : Romania, Denver Barbarians, Dog River Howlers, Columbus

Thursday February 9th :
8.00 Chile v Tiger Rugby
8.20 Philippine Pacific v Alaska Golden Bears
8.40 Guyana v Force XV Froggies
9.00 Mexico v Social Vibe Pups
9.20 Spain v Chicago Lions
9.40 Bermuda v Peru
10.00 Romania v Denver Barbarians
10.20 Dog River Howlers v Columbus
10.40 Chile v Alaska Golden Bears
11.00 Philippine Pacific v Tiger Rugby
11.20 Guyana v Social Vibe Pups
11.40 Mexico v Force XV Froggies
12.00 Spain v Peru
12.20 Bermuda v Chicago Lions
12.40 Romania v Columbus
13.00 Dog River Howlers v Denver Barbos

Friday February 10th :
8.00 Chile v Philippine Pacific
8.20 Tiger Rugby v Alaska Golden Bears
8.40 Guyana v Mexico
9.00 Force XV Froggies v Social Vibe Pups
9.20 Spain v Bermuda
9.40 Chicago Lions v Peru
10.00 Romania v Dog River Howlers
10.20 Denver Barbarians v Columbus
11.20 #25 QF Bowl 3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool B
11.40 #26 QF Bowl 3rd Pool D v 4th PoolC
12.00 #27 QF Bowl 3rd Pool C v 4th Pool D
12.20 #28 QF Bowl 3rd Pool B v 4th Pool A
12.40 #29 Cup QF 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B
1.00pm #30 Cup QF 1st Pool D v 2nd Pool C
1.20 #31 Cup QF 1st Pool C v 2nd Pool D
1.40 #32 Cup QF 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool A
2.00 #33 SF Shield Loser #25 v Loser #26
2.20 #34 SF Shield Loser #27 v Loser #28
2.40 #35 SF Bowl Winner #25 v Winner #26
3.00 #36 SF Bowl Winner #27 v Winner #28
3.20 #37 SF Plate Loser #29 v Loser #30
3.40 #38 SF Plate Loser #31 v Loser #32

Japan breakout year ?

Japan has always been a enigma for world rugby. Winning the Pacific Nations Cup for the first time, Japan revealed to the world all his progress two months before the World Cup.

Even if few know this, Japan is a traditional nation at rugby. British sailors bring rugby in Japan in 1874. Because of racial barriers and isolation, Japan played his first international game in 1932 against Canada. Rugby always had big numbers in the country. Japan is still ranked 6th in the world in terms of registered players ahead of Australia, Argentina, Wales and Scotland. Rugby in Japan always had a big financial support thank to company teams domination. But Japan always suffered from his isolation and inability to attract tall and strong players because of competition from judo, baseball and other martial arts. It's still a major issue. A late conversion to profesionnalism didn't help also. So Japan finally won only one game in World Cup history that was over Zimbabwe in 1991.

This could change radically at the next World Cup, thank to the development of professional Top League since 2003, thank to foreign contribution both at domestic and national level, Japan seems to be on the brink of revealing all his long-waited potential. Just two months before the World Cup, Japan beat two Pacific Island nations at full roster. Japan had already did this in 2010 but agaisnt weakened teams in 2010. This time, they beat the same kind of teams that usually elimanate Wales at the World Cup. But more than results the level of play of the Brave Blossoms is impressive, they made huge progress at rucks, defense and scrummaging. Ryan Nicholas bring world class skills to the backline. His breakline style remind me O'Driscoll's one. Japan back row radically improved in every ways. Usually made of captain Takashi Kikutani, young gun Michael Leitch, and number 8 Ryu Holani, they demonstrate toughness, resistance, endurance and, above all, fighting spirit.
One of the most impressive thing with this team is his depth. John Kirwan built this team for the World Cup, he wanted Japan to be able to play every four days, so he instated a huge competition among national team players, and no one has been saved. Even foreign-born players were affected, it lead the team to the current level of play. Even now, Shaun Webb is still in competition with Go Aruga at full-back, but he's also at fly-half with newcomer Murray Williams and historic leader James Arlidge. The same is right for Justin Ives and Luke Thompson compete by Toshizumi Kitagawa and Itoshi Ono at lock. Finally, two very different teams beat Tonga and Fiji in July.
One more impressive thing is the margin of improvement available. Against Tonga, James Arlidge mistakes lead to two zero pass try from Tonga ! In the same game, Japan missed two try opportunities with only one pass to do in front of the last defender ! Japan still lack simple try scoring skills, if they learned it, it could be terrible for their next opponent, Italy, because, above all, Japan love the ball, they keep it and keep it like Munster can do. They had an average possession of 70% at the PNC, 90% of the tries conceded by Japan came from a quick counterattack.
The chances for Japan to beat for the second time a Six Nations' team have never been so high. A win can definitely put them as a contender for the quarter-finals. Never forget what usually happened to France in his opening match at the World Cup...