Raaaaaarrr!!!

On Saturday in the town of Agen at the Stade Armandie, on a damp but otherwise pleasant evening (weather-wise), along with 100+ travelling supporters, I witnessed a London Irish squad demonstrating in no uncertain manner that they have reached a new level of maturity, confidence and competence.

They are the Lions of Agen!

We must laud their achievement without reservation - they came back from the dead! - just when it looked as though Agen were in complete control, assisted in no uncertain terms by a referee who was unable or unwilling to see obvious transgressions of the laws by the home side. But then perhaps he’s an amadaun (check it in an English/Irish dictionary!) - even when his attention was drawn by the TJs to infringements he appeared to disregard them.

Our lads were subjected to considerable physical challenges well outside of what could be expressed as ‘gamesmanship’. The list of injuries - from biting, gouging, knee drops and the like - will become more clear as the Club announces the extent to which the treatment room will be used in the coming days. Having said that, mind, the lads looked after themselves - the adage holds good: don’t dish it out unless you are prepared to have it returned – with interest!

Something - perhaps that magical moment of self-belief - surfaced in an amazing manner. It involved all 15 players assaulting the Agen try line from their 22 metre line in the last 15 minutes of the match and throughout injury time (of which we had seven and a half) with a determination and zeal that made us and them proud.

If only all our loyal supporters could have been there to see it! The Agen players hardly got hands to ball during this phase of the play.

Could it be done? Of course not, we just didn’t have enough time. Thankfully the team believed different and have now surely done enough to reach the quarterfinals with class and style. Agen panicked and made forced and unforced errors which our lads capitalised on.

Agen did not throw the game away, our lads took it from them.

However, in due deference to Ronnie I digress! To get back to the business of…

The game

Agen came into this match determined to achieve a win and a bonus point, but it soon became clear that Brian Smith and Toby Booth had anticipated their objectives and tactics correctly and the initial Agen surge was clinically curtailed by our centres and backs. The Agen flowing moves with ball in hand did not materialise during the early minutes.

Irish players were putting it on the line, even at this early stage. Tackling was hard and effective. Offloading and recycling equally so and errors were few and far between. The second row, flankers, scrum half and No.8 were showing great support and determination. Our front row formed an effective protective barrier - Agen were all at sea. Scrums and lineouts were holding good for both sides at the stage.

On the 10 minute mark the referee awarded Agen a penalty – for what, dear reader, your guess is as good as mine. It was the first of many erratic decisions (and indecisions) by him. As it turned out, the impressive No. 10, Jerome Miquel, failed to convert.

Irish turned on the pressure. Delon intercepted a long clearance on the right and started a swaying run which needed three men to bring him down inside their 22. Irish recycled and continued to apply pressure with Flutey, Franze and Penney causing Agen problems. Hodgson, Kennedy and Casey worked tirelessly, constantly out-manoeuvring Agen’s moves. Rucking and mauling was equally effective.

Seven minutes into the game and handbags, involving 12-15 players, started by Agen. Immediately the Irish cavalry rushed to…..stop the handbags, no doubt. The referee and the touch judges stepped in with all the effectiveness of a chocolate fire-guard - the mishandling of this incident was the first real indication that the ref might not be up to the job. Russell narrowly evaded what could have been a vicious kick by Narjissi, his opposite number - the touch judge had a clear sight line but took no action.

Hatley and Skuse made several powerful runs, gaining valuable metres on each occasion, setting up platforms for further effective surges and then, nine minutes into the game, Riki Flutey - who had taken some heavy hits -needed treatment following another heavy tackle.

Following good interceptions by Michael Horak and Paul Franze, promising attacks needed all the strength and ‘inventiveness’ the Agen backs could muster. Nick Kennedy was given a strong warning by the referee for a tackle he considered to be high. The Agen inside-centre had treatment and stayed down for a while.

Attack and counter-attack, probe and counter-probe continued, with play concentrating between the two 22s, both sides watching for that one slip that could lead to an important score.

On the 13th minute Riki Flutey had his third treatment session on what looked to be his left knee. He didn’t look comfortable and the physios looked concerned. While this was going on, the Agen No. 6 Culine also needed treatment. Paul Hodgson was also limping slightly at this stage.

Following treatment, Riki converted his first penalty, much to the ire of the home supporters.

Agen 0 Irish 3

Maybe I’m wrong, but it looked as though some of our lads were targeted for softening-up. It’s bad enough when an injury is caused by mistiming, but when malice is attached it’s unforgivable - particularly between professionals.

Following the breakdown of an Agen move arising out of a penalty, Robbie Russell and Bob Casey pushed forward with ruthless effectiveness and determination – to cheers of encouragement from the Irish supporters. And on 17 minutes Armitage made a try-stopping interception on Luc Lafforgue, the Agen skipper and full-back.

Agen were applying distinct pressure from the half-way line to the Irish 22. Horak, Bishop and Penney were tackling like men possessed to stem the attacks and initiate counter-attacks. From those platforms, Irish mauls were becoming even more effective with valuable territory being regained and held despite Agen trying to disrupt from offside positions.

On 19 minutes Flutey converted a penalty awarded for foul play on Horak.

Agen 0 Irish 6.

Following a series of flowing moves with ball in hand, Agen were awarded a penalty and on 22 minutes they opted to kick for touch rather than take a penalty from a very kickable position. A show of confidence, perhaps, but the resulting lineout on the 5 metre line was taken superbly by Nick Kennedy.

In the 26th minute Agen started a mesmerising move with ball in hand - any rugby aficionado would have to acknowledge it was brilliant - which resulted in Culine going over for a try, converted by Miquel.

Agen 7 Irish 6

Agen were really applying pressure now, but Bishop made an excellent interception and stopping tackle to halt the surge.

On 31 minutes Flutey needed more intensive treatment on the field, following which he kicked another penalty.

Agen 7 Irish 9.

This was the last contribution Riki made to the match and he was replaced by Barry Everitt.

In the 37th minute Richard Skuse needed treatment after a ruck where it appeared an Agen player may have landed on him.

Events now were without doubt getting out of hand; there was a lot of activity off the ball - anecdotal comments referred to biting and gouging, among other things - and the Agen No. 4, Fevre, then took a distinct liking to the grass.

Michael Collins replaced the injured Skuse in the 41st minute, while Nick Kennedy went down with an apparent shoulder/upper body injury and looked to be in considerable discomfort.

On 42 minutes a penalty awarded to Irish was competently converted by Barry.

Agen 7 Irish 12

In the 44th minute Barry was ordered to the sin-bin for apparent discontent with the referee’s decisions. I didn’t see it, but it is possible he has the skills of a ventriloquist!

In the 45th minute Agen pulled back three points from a penalty by Miquel - they were keeping in contact, despite Irish’s valiant efforts.

Agen 10 Irish 12 - Half time

With Barry still in the bin, the 14-man Irish team took the field for the second half, having had to make another change, and determined Declan Danaher replaced the excellent Kieron Dawson at outside flanker. The unspoken question ran through our collective minds: would the forced changes disrupt the Irish players? Shades of the previous week loomed large. Would we blow it?

Agen restarted with the kind of ferocity I expected in the opening period - ferocity which extended to test the laws of the game and the referee’s impartiality to the absolute limit - the latter failing to assert unbiased judgement. The louder the home supporters barracked and the Agen players harassed, the more the referee’s decisions were in direct proportion to the onslaught.

The fourth official (a Frenchman) made an invaluable contribution to proceedings by ensuring the Irish bench didn’t encroach beyond the ‘technical area’ - this included our medical team - and any apparent movement beyond the area was admonished with a wagging finger and an ushering arm. Sad.

A promising Agen attack floundered when Yannick Larguet knocked-on about 10 metres from the Irish try line.

Robbie Russell, who battled throughout, was the first to be decked with a shoulder injury three minutes after the restart.

A period of quality Irish pressure followed with Collins, Hatley and Russell prominent. On the five minute mark the Agen hooker was dispatched to the sin-bin having accumulated a number of warnings for foul play and illegal tactics. All-in-all not a very nice person. Coming up to the six-minute mark, the resulting penalty was taken and expertly converted (ball positioned league style) by Paul Franze. Irish fans were delighted.

Agen 10 Irish 15.

Agen introduced a new front row and a new level of intensity was witnessed. Irish responded accordingly.

In the eighth minute Delon was downed and needed treatment.

A big, big tackle by Paul Hodgson halted another Agen onslaught. He was penalised for this, the ref indicating he had lifted the Agen 2nd row man too high!

Irish were back to full strength with Barry returning to the fray to the cheers of the Irish fans. We were now a man to the good for a further seven minutes and the lads systematically held out, even though pinned in their own 22.

Following intense pressure, Agen broke the Irish line in the 12th minute but were denied a try by the referee - I think for failing to ground the ball.

In the 15th minute there was an almighty brawl involving about 20 players when the French were frustrated at failing to capitalise on their superiority during the previous minutes. Following this, Declan needed treatment and appeared dazed - no action taken by the referee.

On 18 minutes Kieran Roache was due to be replaced by Adrian Flavin who was standing on the touch line. He was just in time to see the award of a penalty try to Agen which Miquel converted. Irish had again lost their lead.

Agen 17 Irish 10

Flav was not being allowed on by the fourth official and Collins had to take over as hooker. At this point, an obviously incensed Brian Smith vaulted the perimeter barrier to make his feelings known! There was much finger pointing but BS stood his ground - leadership at its best!

Agen were again getting the upper hand. Distractions appeared to be disjointing Irish’s flow and concentration and Agen looked formidable and unstoppable with ball in hand, but Strudders landed a great tackle to halt a run by the Agen No. 8. Fonua.

In the 23rd minute Agen broke through again with a try by the ever-dangerous Fonua. Conversion by the consistent Miquel.

Agen 24 Irish 15

Come on you Irish!

The hard working Rodd Penney was replaced by Paul Gustard on 29 minutes, and on 31 Robbie was replaced by Flavin – his second visit to the field during the evening.

Jean-Baptiste Rue was binned.

At this stage Irish were in the ascendancy. The battle was on to recover the vital bonus point to keep the club at the top of the group, and the maul was causing Agen serious problems. Concern showed on their faces and arguments broke out between their backs.

Irish were awarded a penalty on 38 minutes and Barry the Boot had to call on all his powers of concentration. He steps back … walks to the ball …. it’s over!

Agen 24 Irish 18

The bonus point is saved. Time to shut-up shop? Not likely! This is the new London Irish.

Agen discipline was fast going down the drain. Irish took advantage and pushed forward again - you could see confidence and the fire radiating from their faces.

Gustard was making an impact, then from nowhere, in the 45th minute, an offload from Darren Edwards was taken by Paul Franze. He broke three tackles and rounded two confused defenders to score a wonderful try just at the right hand post. Barry converted.

Agen 24 Irish 25

Agen fans now started walking. Their team became disorientated and lost all rhythm and cohesion. Irish capitalised. They wanted to win convincingly. They sniffed another try. So did we!

It came from a panicky and desperate pass, read beautifully by the vigilant Delon Armitage and about three other Irish players who appeared to dive simultaneously (no chance of a swan-dive Delon!). Delon grounded the ball and the celebrations of the Irish players, bench and supporters had to be seen to be believed. What emotion! Barry was called on again to do the business. He seemed to be smiling as he prepared. It was never in doubt. He converted.

Agen 24 Irish 32

It was all over. Surely a victory that will be talked about for years. I was fortunate enough to see it.

The squad stood around talking to the fans for 10-15 minutes. It was great.

Man of the Match? We had twenty-two of them, but one showed particular determination, skill and composure – Paul Franze.

The Social Side

The supporters, who arrived by various routes and means, gravitated to the Café de la Poste (Boulevard Carnot), home of the Agen Supporters’ Club. This became the temporary HQ for the London Irish fans and an excellent staff welcomed us and saw to our sustenance in respect of liquid intake and associated culinary replenishment. A very hospitable group of people, they are now fully au-fait with the Fields of Athenry and various other LISC ditties and sayings!

Similarly the people of Agen, including the youngsters, approached us as we took in the sights of their town, shaking hands and genuinely welcomed us - whilst telling us that Agen would be victorious. Dream on!

The Travelling Supporters

We were very fortunate to be there. Our absent friends and acquaintances were foremost in our minds at the final whistle, evidenced by the number of mobiles being held aloft to relay the strains of The Fields to those back home!

The singing was par excellence – the occasional note was dropped, but we’ll overlook that (in the circumstances). The dress code was, as usual, colourful and conservative – in keeping with the event.

We thought our cheering and encouragement drowned out the Agen supporters and their combo – which, for some inexplicable reason, played ‘Roll out the Barrel’ at one point.

When our cheering flagged, Griff and Richard Langley picked it up with the rhythmic pounding of the drums (kindly arranged by MWM and carefully transported by the ever hardworking Terry - thank you both).

The feeling of camaraderie continued after match and as Agen supporters left the excellent stadium (early) they applauded the Irish supporters - a reassuring gesture.

We had an additional bonus in that we met and spent time with the justifiably proud parents of Paul Hodgson, and the parents and brother of Paul Franze.

Following the match, the squad was sighted and feted by the supporters at a hostelry in the town centre before we all adjourned to an early(?) bed in preparation for our return home!!!!

Referee: Giuilo de Santis (Italy - Occupation: Police Inspector)

Teams:

Agen – 15. Luc Lafforgue (capt); 14. Yannick Larguet; 13. Conrad Stoltz; 12. Sylvain Mirande;11. Rupeni Caucaunibuca; 10. Jerome Miquel; 9. Julien Tilloles; 1. Christian Califano; 2. Jalil Narjissi; 3. Patrick Blanco; 4. Damien Fevre; 5. Kirill Koulemine; 6. Fabrice Culine; 7. Colin Yukes; 8. Opeti Fonua.

Replacements: 16. Jean-Baptiste Rue (temp. rep. Yukes 48 mins, rep Narjisi 56 mins); 17. Jean-Jacques Crenca (rep. Califano 46 mins); 18. Alessio Galasso (rep Blanco 46 mins); 19. Jean-Michel Parent; 20. Aaron Persico; 21. Nicolas Morlaes; 22. Aca Ratuva (rep Stoltz 68 mins); 2. Narjassi (temp sub Culine 61 mins).

Yellow cards: Narjissi 45mins (arguing); Rue 57 mins (fighting); Galasso (fighting).

London Irish - 15. Michael Horak; 14. Delon Armitage; 13. Rodd Penney; 12. Paul Franze; 11. Justin Bishop; 10. Riki Flutey; 9. Paul Hodgson; 1. Neal Hatley; 2. Robbie Russell; 3. Richard Skuse; 4. Bob Casey (Capt); 5. Nick Kennedy; 6. Kieran Roche; 7. Kieron Dawson; 8. Phil Murphy.

Replacements: 16. Michael Collins (rep. Richard Skuse 41 mins); 17. Adrian Flavin (temp sub Kieran Roche, Robbie Russell 68 mins); 20. Declan Danaher (rep. Kieron Dawson 40 mins); 21. Darren Edwards (rep. Paul Hodgson 73 mins); 22. Barry Everitt (rep. Riki Flutey 34 mins).

Yellow cards: Barry Everitt 45 mins - arguing; Robbie Russell 57 mins – fighting

Scoring sequence (Agen first): 14 mins 0-3 (pen Riki); 20 mins 0-6 (pen Riki); 26 mins 7–6 (try Culine, con. Miquel); 32 mins 7-9 (pen Riki); 44 mins 7-12 (pen Barry); 45 mins 10-12 (pen. Miquel)

Half Time 10-12 (40+6)

46 mins 10-15 (pen Paul Franze); 58 mins 17-15 (pen try, con Miquel); 61 mins 24-15 (try Fonua, con Miquel); 78 mins 24-18 (pen Barry); 82 mins 24-25 (try Paul Franze, con Barry); 88 mins 24-32 (try Delon, con Barry)!!!!! (40+8)

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