Amee-Leigh Costigan to captain Ireland against England

Anybody reading that second to last paragraph is going to think superman playing the most important games for his country in July is not something that should be skipped.

Of course reality is a bit more delicate. Thanks for the link

There clearly look to be players that Galthie could have included (the basis of the article), and then another group where their still would have been more value in including them under fatigue.

I also think you are taking some licence with your application of the metrics, I’ve not seen anything to back it up in the last week.

Unless of course it was severe and he had symptoms, then we all wish plenty of rest. And in RE to NB below, you really think he thought that much about the players he included in the article? Maybe he said that, but as a reader I just looked at all the names, Costes or another and saw an example of work loads. It matter not whether they could have been selected (there are always so many other factors that dictate aval).

For sure, even the weakened teams received here (that I can remember) had individuals that would die for their country giving everything (and I’ve heard a lot of these old stories, especially of the maniac french!, on the sire), massive Chabal fan (no idea who Pierre is).

I am really talking the paid era of tour agreements. I’m sure in the past FFR planned tours that didn’t clash with domestic rugby. I’d be interested to know if they’ve had even 1 tour this century that involved all their top players, as the turn-of-it specifically seems to be were the conflict started and determined which way things swung.

What I described is not conflict. It is two parties accepting they have found themselves in a difficult situation and trying to make the best of it. Yes, Galthie needs to play nice, because clubs can still sway their player, unlawfully holding their contract above them, threatening them, and causing them to withdraw from international rugby. It could certainly happen with French players as well, part of Galthie’s thought process is not just commonsense, but respecting the clubs power for making situations like Jalibert happen.

That’s the only way for Galthie, as the coach he only has a short term goal for 2027. The FFR are another mater entirely, and could just be looking for the right time. But I no little of the behind the scenes stuff, maybe the clubs are paying off the FFR or its members under the table etc.

I’m afraid you little understand of the world game takata, I like you’re involvement and you sharing of the French perspective though!