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Seismic Semis & Rugby's Don King

·45 min·4 clips

All Blacks legend Andrew Mertens explains why his first French rugby stint was miserable and how he's fixing it now.

["The episode opens with hosts Tim Groves and Johnny Beattie catching up after a week off, discussing holidays and work trips.", "They introduce guest Andrew Mertens, an All Blacks legend who commentated on the Top 14 semi-finals and now lives in France.", "Mertens gives an overview of the semi-final atmosphere in Bordeaux, describing it as a carnival-like festival with intense games.", "He analyzes the La Rochelle-Toulouse match, focusing on two red cards, expressing sympathy for prop Uini Atonio's controversial sending-off.", "Johnny Beattie discusses the fallout from that game, noting Toulouse's muted celebration and Brice Dulin's defensive struggles against Antoine Dupont.", "Mertens then breaks down the Bordeaux-Stade Fran\u00e7ais semi-final, highlighting Stade's attacking incoherence despite having Joe Marchant.", "He comments on Joris Segonds' missed conversion that could have tied the game, discussing the pressure on kickers in such moments.", "The conversation shifts to Mertens' playing career in France, where he played for Toulon, Racing, and B\u00e9ziers over eight years.", "Mertens reveals his nickname 'Don King, the promoter' came from being part of three club promotions early in his French stint.", "He shares an anecdote about forgetting his boots, mouthguard, and underpants before a game, disappointing a teammate expecting professionalism.", "Mertens describes Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal's intimidating pre-game threats to rip up contracts if players performed poorly.", "He recounts how Toulon fans, despite having little money, raised funds to pay player fines for fighting to encourage their aggressive style.", "The hosts discuss Racing owner Jacky Lorenzetti's recent public criticism of player Sekou Macalou as an example of tone-deaf ownership.", "Mertens talks about his transition to coaching at B\u00e9ziers, where he was placed on French unemployment benefits in a player-coach role.", "He details how he was appointed head coach after Philippe Benetton was fired, then backstabbed by assistants he hired, leading to his dismissal.", "Mertens explains this experience made him avoid coaching due to French rugby's volatility, preferring media analysis instead.", "The hosts ask for his Top 14 final prediction; Mertens favors Toulouse but notes Bordeaux could compete if the game becomes a physical slugfest.", "He analyzes key absences for Bordeaux, including Mathieu Jalibert and Ben Tameifuna, and how Toulouse's ruck efficiency might dominate.", "After Mertens departs, the hosts discuss Montpellier's narrow relegation escape against Grenoble and subsequent coaching changes.", "They mention transfer rumors including Stuart Hogg to Montpellier and preview France's inexperienced 42-man summer tour squad with many uncapped players."]

As heard by us

Semi-final talk with enough match-day chaos and French rugby gossip to keep it moving.

Le French Rugby Podcast spends most of its time on the two Top 14 semi-finals, then broadens into Andrew Mertens' view from the commentary side and the run toward the final.

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Why you'd press play

Top 14 semis, Andrew Mertens, and a full rugby rundown from front to back.

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