[DoctorSharky]

Sam James off to Racing 92, according to L’Equipe.
1(+1) year deal. Quite surprising considering he reportedly had offers from Japan (reuniting with Faf for a big pay day and different culture) as well as Pro D2 clubs offering solid pay packets plus complimentary digs in the luxury villas of southern France.

Given the dysfunction at Racing 92 (Lancaster’s poor start, President publicly criticising Kolisi, imminently losing Nolann le Garrec to La Rochelle), as well as their annual patterns of poor structure and underperformance in big games, I really hope this move works out for Sam.

https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites ... 92/1475602

[RinTin]

Sam James off to Racing 92, according to L’Equipe.
1(+1) year deal. Quite surprising considering he reportedly had offers from Japan (reuniting with Faf for a big pay day and different culture) as well as Pro D2 clubs offering solid pay packets plus complimentary digs in the luxury villas of southern France.

Given the dysfunction at Racing 92 (Lancaster’s poor start, President publicly criticising Kolisi, imminently losing Nolann le Garrec to La Rochelle), as well as their annual patterns of poor structure and underperformance in big games, I really hope this move works out for Sam.

https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites ... 92/1475602

Maybe he still feels he can perform at the highest level? No disrespect to Japan or Pro D2, but they are not top leagues and are filled with journeymen who are cashing in. Sam still wants to compete with the best.

[DoctorSharky]

Completely fair and I think Sam (should) walk into their back line next season. My point is more about the risks to Sam given that R92 are dysfunctional and it’s a short contract. Their management are pretty fickle in a generally fickle league.

Still, some talents to be playing next to…

9. Le Garrec
10. Farrell
11. Habosi
12. James/Tuisova
13. Fickou
14. Arundell/Tuisova
15. Spring/Arundell

[Oh Danny Boy]

Completely fair and I think Sam (should) walk into their back line next season. My point is more about the risks to Sam given that R92 are dysfunctional and it’s a short contract. Their management are pretty fickle in a generally fickle league.

Still, some talents to be playing next to…

9. Le Garrec
10. Farrell
11. Habosi
12. James/Tuisova
13. Fickou
14. Arundell/Tuisova
15. Spring/Arundell

I imagine the window of opportunity is far bigger for players to choose Japan after French rugby and not the reverse?

[JohnJ of HM]

Interesting feature in the Rugby Paper.

https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/feature ... at-racing/

[dinogyro]

I couldn't read most of that due to paywall, but I hope it is true and he has a great time.

[RinTin]

Racing team today vs Castres

15 Spring 14 Tuisova 13 Fickou 12 S James 11 Arundell 10 Farrell 9 Labarbe

1 Gogichashvili 2 Chat 3 Laclayat 4 Rowlands 5 Taofifenua 6 Kpoku 7 Woki 8 Joseph

Subs - 16 Tarrit 17 Julien 18 Sanconnie 19 Baudonne 20 Lebail 21 Lancaster 22 Chavancy 23 Kharaishvili

Our boy straight in at 12 between Farrell and Fickou with Arundell and Tuisova outside. Opposite man will be Jack Goodhue. Dam I'm happy for him.

[FarnhamShark]

That's quite a team!

[eBike]

Racing lost narrowly 31-28 to Castres. Leading 26-28 with only a minute left on the clock but undone by a Max Spring (?) try in the corner. No mention of Sam's performance in The Rugby Paper's Top14 round up. However, that's one hell of a backline.

[Yareet]

Racing lost narrowly 31-28 to Castres. Leading 26-28 with only a minute left on the clock but undone by a Max Spring (?) try in the corner. No mention of Sam's performance in The Rugby Paper's Top14 round up. However, that's one hell of a backline.

Wasn’t Spring playing for Racing?

[Yonah]

Racing lost narrowly 31-28 to Castres. Leading 26-28 with only a minute left on the clock but undone by a Max Spring (?) try in the corner. No mention of Sam's performance in The Rugby Paper's Top14 round up. However, that's one hell of a backline.

Ambadiang is credited with scoring last try at 79+min

[RinTin]

This is the Farrell highlight reel, but SJ features heavily. A few nice touches by the looks of it from him and he played the full 80.

[RinTin]

Racing lost narrowly 31-28 to Castres. Leading 26-28 with only a minute left on the clock but undone by a Max Spring (?) try in the corner. No mention of Sam's performance in The Rugby Paper's Top14 round up. However, that's one hell of a backline.

Maybe some confusion re Max Spring in the corner - he was the victim of a phenomenal cover tackle earlier in the game from the man who eventually won it for Castres:

https://x.com/jimhamilton4/status/18327 ... -racing-92

[RinTin]

Found full game highlights - SJ does Goodhue a treat at the beginning.

Looks to have been shifted to full back for much of the second half. Almost exposed due to a chip over the top and could have been at fault for the final try depending on his positioning.

Can't post a link due to it not being possible to share on other sites.

[DoctorSharky]

Watched Racing last night. Surely Stuart Lancaster on borrowed time given their spend but awful structure. Not to mention him shoehorning his son in at 12 at the expense of much better players..

On a related note, Sam James was out of position and played 15. He was pretty solid bar one horror moment in the second half where a basketball offload under pressure was intercepted by LBB leading to a try. Hopefully he’s moved back to the centres soon!

[RinTin]

Watched Racing last night. Surely Stuart Lancaster on borrowed time given their spend but awful structure. Not to mention him shoehorning his son in at 12 at the expense of much better players..

On a related note, Sam James was out of position and played 15. He was pretty solid bar one horror moment in the second half where a basketball offload under pressure was intercepted by LBB leading to a try. Hopefully he’s moved back to the centres soon!

Agree on all the above. Surely it makes more sense for SJ to be at 13 with Tuisova inside him and Arundell at 15? All players there in their primary positions.

[RinTin]

Looking pretty sharp (and a little larger). Think he got around 57 minutes or so.