BRETON RUGBY NEWS
Rugby in Brittany is on the up, it is one of the fastest developing regions in French rugby. Vannes rugby club play in Federale 1, that’s level 3 in France, the same level as Launceston, Mount’s Bay and Redruth here in Cornwall. Last season they qualified for the play-offs for the championship the Jean Prat Trophy, named after the famous French rugby captain from the 1950’s. This season they have again started well and are in the mix for the play-offs in the new year. There is a link to the Vannes club on my blogroll.
As a sign of the increasing importance of Breton rugby, the French Rugby Federation FFR, held their annual conference this year in Vannes.
Of course a couple of seasons ago Cornwall travelled to Quimper, playing the local club who play in Federale 3 as part of their preperations for that season’s County Shield campaign.
Quimper also run a very succesful youth tournament for Under 17 sides normally held in May. They are planning now for 2009 and very much want a (or more) teams from Cornwall to go over. Last season there were sides from South Africa, Russia and Ireland as well as from all over France competing. Overall it was Biarritz Olympique U.17 who won.
I do have information if any club is interested, I can be contacted via the contact details on the main page on the TASC site.
23/2/2009
This weekend saw Vannes qualify for the Federale 1 play-offs the Jean-Prat Trophy after a 16-12 win over Saint Nazaire in front of 3,000 spectators at the Stade Jo Courtel in Vannes.
Vannes are now in a four team with pool with Perigueux, whom they played at this stage last season, Dijon and Langon.
Vannes got their Championship bid off to a fine start with a narrow 12-11 win over a very good Perigueux side at their Jo-Courtel ground last Sunday in front of a crowd of 3,000 +. Lebarillier’s boot dointg the buisness with a drop-goal and three penalties for the Bretons side.
This Sunday Vannes are home again to Langon who lost heavily to Dijon in the other game played in the four team pool.
