France captain Pascal Pape has hit out at a rash of high-profile foreign signings by Top 14 clubs, saying they were damaging the national side.
The likes of England great Jonny Wilkinson and Australia’s Matt Giteau are at Toulon, while a host of Wales players have left regional rugby for the lure of a big-money contract in France.
Last season was one of France’s worst in recent memory, with coach Philippe Saint-Andre’s finishing bottom of the Six Nations Championship table.
“To fill in some positions in the team can become very difficult indeed,” said Stade Francais lock Pape, leading France in place of the injured Thierry Dusautoir, at the Six Nations launch in London on Wednesday.
“My club trusts home-grown players and that’s important, and I wish more did the same.
“Other clubs don’t, it’s a shame and it impacts on the national side.
“It is something that we could really do with changing.”
In the professional era the Six Nations after a British and Irish Lions tour has seen France take the title.
But with a match at home to England or Les Rosbifs as they are known in France, in Paris on February 1 as his side’s tournament ‘starter’ a concerned Saint-Andre was taking nothing for granted.
“We don’t start with a starter: we start with the main course, Les Rosbifs straight away,” said the former France captain.
“When you finish bottom in 2013 it’s difficult to say you are favourites in 2014, Wales and England are still the favourites.
“Last year it was very painful because small details make the difference.
“I hope that statistic about the Lions tour can be right again, but we cannot expect after our performance last year.
“When the Lions finish late, in July, it is unusual for them and they play more games.
“But playing 40 games a year is nothing new for our players.”
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
The%20Roundup
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Lee%20Sang-yong%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Ma%20Dong-seok%2C%20Sukku%20Son%2C%20Choi%20Gwi-hwa%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
