Weeks 1 and 2 in Top 14

First off, can I say, finally the time has come! Lauren is getting on a flight in just minutes so that she can find her way back home, to Agen. It's been a tough few weeks, as the internet, phone, tv, and purchased furniture have all been delayed, and is just now getting here. The lack of posts can be blamed on me/no internet, but now that Lauren will be here soon...I'll be making her update more often.

The first two weeks of the season have come and gone. In Week 1, we played Toulouse, losing 44-24. A tough loss, and a rude awakening to the Top 14. I did not play in that match, but went with the team as what they call, "van quart," or 24 (not sure if that spelling is correct, I just know how to say it). Anyway, they always bring a 24th guy they know won't play, unless something freakish happens getting on and off the bus. For me, they wanted me to get an idea of how everything works. The coaches said the next few weeks will see a lot of players in and out of the lineup until they find their "group."

This last weekend, we played Bayonne in Bayonne. This is a beautiful city in the Basque country, on the south-western coast of France. About a 3 hour drive from Agen. Unfortunately for us, we also lost this match, 27-0. It was a difficult loss because we started off really poorly, getting a yellow card within the first 5 minutes, and subsequently, giving up 20 points, in the first 20 minutes. The rest of the game was defended much better by us, but our offensive attack was obsolete for the entire 80 minutes. Players don't know if they'll be in the lineup one week to the next, so if you don't make something happen, it's a coin toss for you to be on the field the following week. In my case, without any offense as a team, there obviously weren't any opportunities for me personally either, so that was frustrating.

We have some things that need to be fixed quickly as a team, but with our coaches, and the determination of our players, I believe this will happen. This next weekend we play at home, which I hear is a great spectacle. Luckily Lauren will be back for this and there will be more pictures to come. And stay tuned to see the house as well (hopefully with some furniture in it).