Being back in the French Alps this week has allowed me, once again, to immerse myself in all the colour and pageantry of the Top 14. As always, the ever faithful yellow pages of the Midi Olympique are my way in.
The first edition of 2012 ran a section on the 'Tops' and 'Flops' of the recruitment process so central to success in this league. The 'Tops' included such well-known names as Luke McAlister, Steffon Armitage and Felipe Contepomi.
The 'Flops', perhaps unsurprisingly, have even more celebrated names.
This is the depressing side of Top 14 rugby.
For every 'galactico' who lights up the league (or shores up a scrum), there are those who are simply too old, lack the motivation or respect that their hefty pay cheque deserves or simply fail to deal with the lifestyle change or uprooting of family. Two All Blacks top the list: Byron Kelleher, such a hero in Toulouse the past two years, has struggled at Stade Francais and Joe Rokocoko similarly at Bayonne.
Then, depressingly, Max Evans, comes in at no. 3. While the inexperience of his fellow backs is noted, he has yet to score in a side 4th in the league. Cedric Héymans, Paul Warwick and rugby league convert Willie Mason are all 'Flops'.
It's not all doom and gloom, however, for Scots playing in France, even if the impact on the national side is zero. Scotland's former second rows Nathan Hines and Scott Murray were both singled out for special mention with Hines making the Top 14 team of the week.
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