Barbarians ended a successful tour in Paris wining undefeated the International Festival Junior Rugby Disney Paris 2010 Cup final against Maidstone School 15-10 (5-5 half time). It is its sixth victory in same number of games
Barbarians had possession but a hermetic defence from Maidstone did not allow Barbarians to play their game. The main battle was in the breakdown were the pommies dominated during the first half. A missed tackle after 5 minutes from kick off give the British team the first try, but a pick and go play of Barbarians pack give the visitors the first points few minutes later before the end f the half time.

The last ten minutes of the first half were the best play ed by the Brisbane side.

A couple of changes in the Barbarians’ backline at the second half gave the Brisbane’s team the boost needed to exploit the backline speed and scores two tries, the last one a few minutes before the end of the game.

The second half was under Barbarians control, but opportunities to score were missing and Maidstone scored first to gain the lead 10-5. But most of he time was played at the English team ‘s half.

The forwards improved in the breakdown and a better control of the ball produced quick balls to attack. The scrum was 50-50 but in the last thirty minutes a couple of opposition’s balls gained gave Barbarians the opportunity to score and put more pressure on Maidstone. The line out was much better in the first half, during the second one Barbarians missed three vitals line outs in the British 22s that could have sealed the game earlier.

All players’ attitude and composure aftra yellow card received in the second half made possible this victory and sealed a very successful tour.

Festival results

Cup Final

Barbarians – Maidstone Grammar School A 15-10

First Round

Maidstone Grammar School B 39-0

Islinghton & Syon 15-0

Maidstone Grammar School A 37-10



Pre Festival games

Barbarians Down Under – AS Lagny 62-19

Barbarians Down Under – Val D’Europe 94-0

Yesterday was our first game.  The day started at 730 am. We had breakfast around 8 15 and one hour later we had a team meeting to explain and talk abut how we will play.

At 12:00 m we were picked up from the hotel for a transfer to a restaurant in Montmatre, close to Sacre Cour. We could not go to this church yesterday due time issues and traffic in the motorway.But we saw it and shot photos. We will go on Saturday.

After lunch we decided to go directy to the game, we arrived to AS LAgny for our first game two hours before kick off (630 pm). We were all axcited and ansious to play. It was avery good game, at the beginning we play as individuals but after few minutes we started playing as a team. At the endof the first half we were in front 26-5. In the second half we lost a bit the composture and we got few penalties and a yellow card. But we score another six tries to seal the first victory 62-19.

Playing under French rules was a bit confusing, the field is five mts shortest at the touch line and the in goal line, no pushing in the scrum and no lifting in the line out and it is played 12 A Side with free changes/substitutions, so all players have the chnace to show how good they are. Fortunately the reef spoke english.

After the game we were invited to AS Lagny club house  to ave a snack and drinks, the president of Lagny gave a speech t thanks us for the visit and game. After their speech we thanked them for the game and hospitality. We gave our tie to their coach, president and captain of the team. Also we gave away five Reds capsand surprisingly some Lagny players knew about the Queensland's team.

It was a great expeience it was not a language barrier our boys tried to speak a bit in frenchand the Lagny made an effrt to speak in english, the spend time talking to each other, laughing, and having a lot of fun. At 9 pm was time to get back on the bus and return to the hotel.

Score: Barbarians 62: Tries:Josh Christian (1), Elijah (2), Jack Otago (3), Hamish (1), Dan Ryan (1) James Smith (1) Jordan Skinner (1). Convertions: Hamish (6)
AS Lagny: 3 tries, 2 convertions.

Next game is on Thursday against Val d'Europe.

Hi Barbarians

We are in Paris, after nearly 24 travelling fom Australia. The first flight Brisbane-Singqpore was nice and smooth; we got lunch qnd dinner on the plane very nice food; but when we got into the Singqapore terminal, the boy found q Burger King restaurant qnd the do not miss the opportunity to eat again; they were really excited about it. After q couple of hours in Singqpore we got onto the plane, We boarded it nearly midnight Singapore time; a huge two level plane, we were all tired and we recomended the boys to have a long sleep on the plane for a  recovery. They were still excited qbout the trip, the plane; the ,ovies qnd video games they could play onboard and after few hour flying they were all slept.
It was a great moment to see all of them enjoying and having fun.

We landed in Paris around 715 am, it was cold and grey (8 C) a tour bus was waiting four, it took us to the hotel but we could not check in earlier, so we left our bags in  a room and we went to Paris city. We walked 20 minutes to the train station to take the train. We went to Louvremusseum, but we could not access, a long queu to enter after a long trip was not a good a idea; so we shot some photos in front of the pyramid and we keep walking through the museum gardens to the Arc of Triumph;

The plan was to keep tke team awake to avoid the jet lag, after the long walk we took the train back to the hotel, we had a pool session to relax and recovery and dinner, pasta and beef; then a tem meeting and everyone went to bed around 9 pm:

Today another day starts.

While on Tour in Paris the following Heineken Cup Games will be played:

Date	Local Time	Stg	Home	Score	Away	Venue	TV/Att
9/4/10	20:00	QF	Leinster	v	ASM Clermont Auvergne	RDS	Sky Sports / Sky Italia	More
10/4/10	16:00	QF	Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque	v	Ospreys	Estadio Anoeta	France Televisions / Sky Italia	More
10/4/10	17:30	QF	Munster	v	Northampton Saints	Thomond Park	Sky Sports / Sky Italia	More
11/4/10	17:30	QF	Toulouse	v	Stade Francais Paris	Stade Municipal, Toulouse	France Televisions / Sky Italia	More

The closest Stadium is Toulouse at 590 kms from Paris. If you would like to go, please check tickets availability at  http://billetterie.stadetoulousain.fr/index.php

Only three weeks to go, and one of the question is what to eat in Paris?
Below is a list of suggestions (all looks delicious). Have a look.

You’ll certainly want to try some French specialties when you’re in Paris. Be prepared to have some of your pre-conceived notions dashed when it comes to French cooking. Rich, heavy sauces? Not necessarily true. Unless you’re in a region famous for its butter and cream sauces like Normandy, meat dishes are most often served in their own jus. Gravies, in general, tend to be much lighter than American or English gravies. This also holds true for soups or potages.

Miniscule portions? Also not true. In recent years, starters have doubled in size. You’ll usually encounter small portions only when ordering a gourmet meal meant to be eaten in different courses. Portions are kept small enough so that you can enjoy each course - and still have room for the goodies to follow.

>> If you’re traveling on a budget but still want to eat well in Paris, be sure to check out these tips for finding cheap eats in Paris.

French snacks

The French don’t normally snack in between meals, but around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, kids are treated to a ‘goutee’ or tasting. This could be a ‘pain au chocolate’, a slice of brioche with jam, or a bar of chocolate.

You may want to try these French specialties for your ’snack’:
Croque Monsieur
A grilled cheese sandwich with ham.

Croque Madame
A grilled chesse sandwich with ham and one sunny-side up egg.

Quiche Lorraine
A cream and cheese tart with bacon bits.

Les Madeleines (made famous by Proust). You can buy these buttery little bite-size cakes at the bakery or at the grocery store. They will melt in your mouth - and are just the right thing for an afternoon tea (but you rarely would see them on a restaurant menu, because it’s just a snack). My preferred version of the Madeleine is the Financier which seems to be twice as buttery.

Crepe
A sweet pancake usually filled with jams or ice cream.
>> How to find the best crepes in Paris

Galette
A salty pancake usually filled with cheeses, meats, cream, seafood, ham, tomatoes, etc.

Escargots
Snails. What could be more French?

Comfort Food
Couscous (not exactly French, but definitely a North-African contribution to French cooking which is here to stay)
More on Couscous

Boeuf Bourguignon (Beef Burgundy)
Beef stew prepared in burgundy wine is a favorite in the winter months.

Blanquette de Veau (Veal Stew)

Coq au Vin
Chicken simmered in wine. Another winter favorite.

Pot au Feu (Pot Roast)
If you can try a traditional pot-su-feu, do so!
Some restaurants leave the bone and its marrow in the serving bowl. This is the secret to a good pot au feu.

Confit de canard. Simmered duck.
This dish should be designated the No 1 Comfort food of France. Nothing is better than a good confit.

Boudin Noir
Blood sausage, or blood pudding with sauteed potatoes and apples. This is comfort at its best.

Cassoulet
A specialty of the Toulouse region, cassoulet is made with beans and sausage.

Raclettes
A mountain specialty, raclettes are usually potatoes dipped in a cheese fondue. Good for stick to your ribs appetites on cold winter nights.

Seafood
Moules (Mussels)
If you have never tried mussels in Europe, you’ll find them to be quite different from New Zealand or Maine mussels. These mussels are normally much smaller and very sweet tasting.
‘Mouclade’ is a tasty preparation of mussels baked in a cream and white wine sauce.

Huitres (Oysters)
Oyster bars are popular in Paris (check out the Oyster bars in Montparnasse - at the Blvd. Montparnasse and Blvd. Raspail intersection.
We eat oysters at Le Dome and have never been disappointed.

Desserts
Iles Flottantes
Floating islands are mountains of meringue floating on a lake of ‘Creme anglaise’ or vanilla cream sauce.
Light and almost calorie free! (Okay, I’m fibbing, but it tastes that way).

Clafoutis.
Sponge cake type texture filled yummy fruits of the season.

Fraises du bois. Wild strawberries.
Delicious - if you can find them in the market.

Eclairs

Full-Meal Salads

Do you have a favorite French dish?
Let us know at Parislogue.

http://www.parislogue.com/what-to-eat

Hi teams

Thanks all players and parents who attended yesterday training session. It was a fantastic and enjoyable session. Next it will be on Saturday again at Chermside (7 Brigade Park), hopefully (if weather allow us) we will back at Brothers on Monday 15/03.

Please click the below link to see photos of our session yesterday.

Training session 6/3 photos

Thanks

Leo

The past Monday we had a special guest in our training session. Roger Gould. Thanks Roger for coming to our training, hopefully we will have you again on 22nd.

Here are some photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leomohamad/sets/72157623499913062/

Cheers

Leo