Unfortunately brawls like this are all too common here in France. Not wishing to justify such behavior, but perhaps a little background will help. What you are witnessing is the clash between Amateur Rugby and the rag-tag mercenaries who have come to France to make the Big Time. :-(
The home side are called
l’Union Sportive Olympique Nivernaise, they won the match 40-0. 12-0 at half time. All their players are semi pro anyway. Fiji, Samoa, and the rest, some paid more than Top 14
An "amateur" club with an annual budget of €5 million. WTf!
The away team
Lombez Samatan, had an 8 hour bus journey to the game, with may explain why the away teams practically always lose in France. The away team are amateurs, and were shocked by the day. All of them took a day off work for the match. Their prop was delighted at the chance to go head to head against a prop who had featured in the RWC. Their scrum half played 6 years in ProD2 for Narbonne and Carcassone, he was disgusted by the attitude of Nevers. The arrogance of their Blazers was blatant. Source :
away club's match report
fédérale 1 is the highest level of French Amateur Rugby, next year USON hope to play Professional rugby. Everyone one else in Amateur Rubgy hopes they do aswell, there can be no room for such mercenaries in club rugby. Perhaps next year they will understand that such tip tackles are part of the Pro game. Only they may not get off so lightly for brawling!