France v Morocco - Sat 22nd Feb (Merged Threads)

[Gomersall]

https://www.intrl.sport/article/372/morocco-return-to-international-arena-to-face-france

[langpark]

Like the France vs Kenya match last year, seems like a gross mismatch.  But great to see Morocco finally showing some signs of life.

[NRLandSL]

I wonder how many French heritage players the Moroccan team will have, or if will it be largely domestic. I guess we’ll wait and see.

[JM2010]

1 minute ago, NRLandSL said:

I wonder how many French heritage players the Moroccan team will have, or if will it be largely domestic. I guess we’ll wait and see.

Looking at the story it sounds like the Moroccan team is being picked from their domestic competition 

[Eddie]

1 hour ago, JM2010 said:

Looking at the story it sounds like the Moroccan team is being picked from their domestic competition 

For any info about that domestic competition? Just googled and I can’t find anything about it besides this https://europeanrugbyleague.com/teams/37

[JonM]

7 minutes ago, Eddie said:

For any info about that domestic competition? Just googled and I can’t find anything about it besides this https://europeanrugbyleague.com/teams/37

There were at least a couple of teams playing games in 2023,  Nador Arekmane XIII and South Lions Rugby League Bouizakarne. Both seemed to have women and kids playing too and to have beach rugby type events happening. Haven't seen anything since, but I haven't looked. I remember the names because they're not big/ well known places and they're at opposite ends of the country.

[barnyia]

The team will come from players playing in France if it goes ahead, all the coaches have been asked nales of players with Moroccan heritage, 

I don't think there are any teams playing in Morocco, 

It'll be against France b I believe 

[welshmagpie]

https://www.intrl.sport/article/372/morocco-return-to-international-arena-to-face-france?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3zny3qbgMFXRWLvzwMaYZK8nyrh1qcEUjyGyH6zp6xdWD9QwjbXBatfPQ_aem_padvDGanqSTZaX6e1l3XuQ
 

Pleasing to see, I’ve lamented France in the past for not developing opportunities with Morocco and to a lesser extent Algeria but this is certainly a positive step.

There are lots of Moroccan/Algerian eligible players running around in France’s top two tiers and many more beneath. Hopefully this inspires further domestic growth on the other side of the Mediterranean Sea. 

[Gomersall]

 

[welshmagpie]

1 minute ago, Gomersall said:

 

Apologies mate, never saw that.

Mods, feel free to delete this thread 

[welshmagpie]

On 24/01/2025 at 16:16, barnyia said:

The team will come from players playing in France if it goes ahead, all the coaches have been asked nales of players with Moroccan heritage, 

I don't think there are any teams playing in Morocco, 

It'll be against France b I believe 

What’s their old coach up to nowadays mate? Jerome Alonso?

[barnyia]

Coaching his daughters football team, 

[barnyia]

A 26 man France squad has been announced, that will be cut down to 19 next Friday for a training session before the game, players in the squad that haven't played elite for their clubs yet, the average age is around 20 years old, except zac Santo who now qualifies for france, 

Maroc have called up players from the 4 th division, 

 

[NRLandSL]

8 hours ago, barnyia said:

A 26 man France squad has been announced, that will be cut down to 19 next Friday for a training session before the game, players in the squad that haven't played elite for their clubs yet, the average age is around 20 years old, except zac Santo who now qualifies for france, 

Maroc have called up players from the 4 th division, 

 

Do you have the squads ?

[langpark]

These guys look young. Are France fielding an U19 side?

 

 

[barnyia]

Lots of u19s, a couple of 17 year olds, a few 20/21 year olds and Zac Santo from limoux who's the eldest, a few have never even  played first team, 

[NRLandSL]

2 hours ago, barnyia said:

Lots of u19s, a couple of 17 year olds, a few 20/21 year olds and Zac Santo from limoux who's the eldest, a few have never even  played first team, 

Do you have the full team anywhere ?

[barnyia]

I have the first 26 selected last week, 

But i don't have the 19 selected, 

 

[welshmagpie]

So far, squad wise, clubs have announced:

France

Correges, Munico (Albi)

Lis, Pourchi, Bonte, Fouque (Avignon)

Brocas, Salles (Lezignan)

Crunel, Dall’Asta, Santo (Limoux)

Pons (Saint Gaudens)

Kouassi, Poulain, Malbec, Beauvillers (Villeneuve)

Morocco

Dermoune, Bida, Naji, Mezyani (Avignon)

Ahcini, Hettat (VARL)

Bachouckh, Fakir, Nicolas, Hemissi (Villeneuve)

 

[barnyia]

There's only 16 players for France been announced, it's going to be a 19 man squad, Catalans haven't announced yet, nor Carcassonne, I've only seen the 26 man list so far, 

Edited February 19 by barnyia

[barnyia]

It's France 19s training today so maybe waiting for this to finish before announcing the 19 

[Gomersall]

Morocco squad.
https://treizemondial.fr/le-groupe-du-maroc-pour-affronter-la-france-a-avignon/

[langpark]

What a sham.  Not a single Morrocan-based player.

[NRLandSL]

11 hours ago, langpark said:

What a sham.  Not a single Morrocan-based player.

Yeah quite a shame, you would’ve hoped for at least 3-4 domestic guys. 0 is a bit of a joke, I don’t see a point in these national teams playing if they have not little to no intention of developing the sport domestically.

[barnyia]

Are there any Moroccan based players?