Rugby news: Scotland player hailed by French press after notable victory ends 11-game streak

‘Omnipresent’ flanker is man of the match

Jamie Ritchie has been hailed by the media in France for his performance for Perpignan as they finally ended their long losing streak in the Top 14.

The Scotland flanker, who moved to the Catalan club in the summer from Edinburgh, was man of the match as they defeated Clermont Auvergne 26-20 at home, ending a run of 11 consecutive defeats.

Perpignan remain bottom of the table but their first league victory of the campaign gives them hope as the regular season approaches the halfway point.

Ritchie, the new Perpignan captain, delivered “an international-calibre performance”, according to Midi Olympique. “He was simply omnipresent, with incisive and precise interventions in attack, remarkable defensive sequences... and a significant contribution in the air,” said the French rugby paper. “A real nightmare for the Auvergne attack. His leadership was also evident, as he was highly committed and inspiring. Quite simply, a commanding performance.”

Perpignan’s Olympic gold medal-winning winger Jefferson-Lee Joseph scored a try and was later sent off in the home win. Perpignan play Toulon away on Sunday.

Kinghorn at 10 as Toulouse bounce back from Glasgow loss

Toulouse ended a difficult week with a notable result as they beat Lyon away for the first time in eight years.

Blair Kinghorn started at stand-off for the French champions as they won 41-19 in their final outing before Christmas.

It was their first game since blowing a 21-0 half-time lead against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun in the Investec Champions Cup, a match they went on to lose 28-21.

A couple of days later they were deducted two points in the Top 14 and fined for a salary cap breach relating to the signing of France full-back Melvyn Jaminet from Perpignan in 2022. The points penalty saw Toulouse lose top spot in the league to Pau.

Scotland full-back Kinghorn was selected at 10 to face Lyon, the position in which he spent two seasons playing with Edinburgh, and sometimes the national team, between 2021 and 2023.

Antoine Dupont was on the bench for the visitors, but came on to replace Paul Graou early in the second half.

New role for Bryan Easson

Bryan Easson, who led Scotland to the quarter-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England this year, has landed a new job as head coach of the Netherlands men’s team.

Easson stepped down as boss of the Scotland women’s side after the World Cup following five years in charge. They twice qualified for the World Cup under his watch and also won the WXV2 tournament.

He now succeeds Welshman Lyn Jones in charge of the Netherlands men’s team who failed to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. “I’m excited to begin this new chapter at Rugby Nederland,” he said.