IT HAD ALL gone a bit quiet on this front over the last few months, but it now looks almost certain that the unofficial ‘World Cup of Clubs’ will take place on the 2nd of February in Toulon.
The Chiefs, the back-to-back Super Rugby champions, have stated their desire to see the fixture against Heineken Cup holders Toulon happening, and are now awaiting the green light from the FFR and LNR, French rugby’s governing bodies.
The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) have given the Chiefs their consent for the game to take place, and has agreed that some of the franchises’ All Blacks – who include Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam and Aaron Cruden – will be involved. With Toulon likely be largely unaffected by the France v England Six Nations match on the 1st of February, it looks like this clash will see both side close to full-strength.
Chiefs CEO Andrew Flexman told Rugby Heaven that he has every confidence the fixture will go ahead in 2014, even though paperwork still needs to be completed.
It’s looking very promising but there is not yet an unconditional green light because there is just a bit more detail to be worked through in terms of written approvals required from the likes of the FFR (French Rugby Federation) and the LNR (organisers of France’s Top 14 national championship).
“We’ve had the verbal assurances we’re needing around that sort of stuff but for whatever reason, the French being the French, things aren’t moving quite as quickly as we would like. But it’s probably fair to say that we’re preparing within this organisation as if we are all go.”
The fact that the Chiefs will be in their pre-season in February complicates the issue of whether or not the game will be an accurate reflection of their strength, but the wonderfully-named Flexman says that won’t be an excuse.
“For us it’s more about the first leg in our pre-season, but having said that I don’t wish to understate the significance of the game and we’ll be going over there to win it.”
Who do you think will come out on top? Toulon’s power game or the daring attacking prowess of the Chiefs?
Pogbaaaaaaaaa
A completely different side to what was seen under José. Now the players can truly express themselves! Even if Ole says they haven’t really changed the tactics, as long as they play like this, tactics are just fine with me.
@Gavin Mitchell: the pantomime villain is gone, United should give ole a 5 year contract
@Gavin Mitchell: Im actually sitting watching Man United and willing them to attack and score another goal again.. probably not now that Bailey is sent off.
Man United are on an upward trajectory, Solksjaer has told them to enjoy themselves 1000 times by now, and the rest is plain sailing
@Eamo world class Dunphy: I dare to say, after 3 wins against Cardiff, Huddersfield and soon to be Bournemouth, the good times are back, baby
@Eamo world class Dunphy: after seeing some of the team’s spurs and city have dropped points to recently then I would agree, 3 very good results. Considering where United were at prior to that
Paul Pogba, ballon d’or 2019
@Eamo world class Dunphy: trolling
@Anthony: eamo never trolls baby
The new kid… Pogba? He’s pretty good!
When United come up against a proper team then we can judge them, people are saying spurs will destroy them but sure look at what wolves did yesterday to spurs.
Still needs some work on the defence though but the style of football is completely different under Ole. Amazing how much Jose was holding them back. Hopefully the don’t down tools again. Aiming for top 4 while Liverpool chase the title is brutal.
I wonder who will win?
@Ross Fehily: utd will clip them
God Pogba and Rashford have been immense. I have to say Pogba is really showing his class now. Still has a bit to go to justify his price tag but he’s going the right way about it. Naturally any Man U haters will not agree, that’s to be expected lol
Deserved goal from Bournmouth had 3 good chances, took one.
Utd poor from corners all year, centrebacks needed in January.
Pogba brilliant but showing how much he held back under Jose.
If United can maintain this positivity, I can see them nipping 4th. And with transfer windows they can clear out the average players and go big. Alderwerald, Koulebale, maybe bid for Varane? And replace Matic with a younger faster similar style player.
@Finn Faulkner: dead on.
@Finn Faulkner: a solid CB and a world class CM is all the tinkering needed.. and a permanent manager, and DDG to sign a new contract!! Great work so far, long road yet.
Lidelof, Shaw, Young, not good enough for utd.
@Martin McKenna: they’re all great under ole. Jose was mean to them. They stopped playing under Jose cos he wasn’t nice to them. They’re great players now
@Eamo world class Dunphy: Lindelof an accident waiting to happen.
@Martin McKenna: I think Shaw is good enough for United and Young has been a solid player for the last 6 years. I think he’s worth keeping around as he’s a decent squad player. Lindelof has been very poor but like the rest of the team he looks a different player since Mourinho left.
@Martin McKenna: I always thought of Young as a leader. Seems to be no nonsense kind of guy
@Robert O Farrell: agree in the main but would love a top centreback, look at the difference van dyke made for pool.
Think utd need certainty at the back for next season to contend and definitely if Europe is on the horizon.
@Bluey: He got a new contract last season despite being nowhere near the starting XI. Apparently Jose didn’t want to lose his influence in the dressing room
@Virgil Van Dijk: when you win silverware then you can talk !!
@Martin McKenna: people been saying that Lindelof is an accident waiting to happen but he is Uniteds best defender. He’s got very good positional sense
WHy can’t I see any comments on this page ?
@Chris Cantwell: very philosophical question, I also “can’t see any comments”