Uncapped: Antoine Claassen
France have called up South African-born loose forward Antoine Claassen into their Six Nations squad to face England next week.
The 28-year-old Castres flank is the son of former Springbok captain Wynand Claassen, but has been playing in France since 2007.
France coach Philippe Saint-André has added five new players to his squad ahead the clash at Twickenham.
Thomas Domingo, Christophe Samson, Yannick Nyanga, Vincent Clerc and the uncapped Claassen will all join the squad as Saint-André searches for a change in fortune after losses so far against Italy and Wales.
At the same time, five players have been dropped including Maxime Mermoz, Damien Chouly, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Yannick Forestier and Romain Taofifénua.
France squad:
Forwards (13): Vincent Debaty, Thomas Domingo, Benjamin Kayser, Dimitri Szarzewski, Luc Ducalcon, Nicolas Mas, Yoann Maestri, Pascal Papé, Christophe Samson, Yannick Nyanga, Thierry Dusautoir, Antoine Claassen, Louis Picamoles.
Backs (10): Maxime Machenaud, Morgan Parra, Frédéric Michalak, François Trinh-Duc, Mathieu Bastareaud, Benjamin Fall, Wesley Fofana, Florian Fritz, Yoann Huget, Vincent Clerc.
Comments
irishaussie says...
@ KiwiRooster
Marvin is a Welsh name and O'Connor is an Irish surname, not anglo-saxon.
I'm not being pedantic; your stuffing 3 completely different ethnic groups under the same banner.
Posted 11:35 22nd February 2013
KiwiRooster says...
As for Claassen and even though there are no shortage of good flankers in France, he never was part of the Springboks plan anyway. The player himself has been living in France for the past 7 years, he and his family look settled and willing to stay so his announcement was not much of a surprise. Claassen and Vosloo both were in Marc Lievremont's mind. Claassen has always said his goal was to play in the blue jersey, so good on him for succeeding. Hopefully, the best is yet to come.
Compared to other nations (take England to some extent) I would not consider France to be a poacher. Although many French clubs are overzealous poachers, the overall impact is yet to be visible on the national squad. The shortage in World-class number 10 is only due to the French club inability to comprehend the concept of tactical game set.
Brock James and his family just acquired the French nationality. Of course having played for Australia as a youngster, he will never play for France but it shows that among all expat players, some have a genuine interest in living elsewhere. Their experience can only benefit rugby and society overall.
There is one French born youngster with an Anglo-Saxon name Saint-Andre must absolutely bring into the international stage: Marvin O'Connor. That one is going to create havoc in the opposition. He should have been there already if it was not for the usual indecision. Marvin was in the november pre-list as a specialist left winger, he is now 22 and I would hate Saint-Andre to waste him until 28. French coach have developped an habit for bringing old timer newbies into the international game. While it may work with the forwards, it never will with the backs. Dominici in his late years would never be a match for a young O'Connor. The sole weight of experience is not sufficient to play at the back nowadays.
Posted 15:01 15th February 2013
KiwiRooster says...
@pierredelot1 "Michalak is not a ten, Toulouse know that..."
Except for the fact that Toulouse won two of their European titles with Michalak playing at 10 (and Elissalde at 9), while Bernard Laporte's France also played Michalak at 10, not mentionning the Durban Sharks played him (your guess) at 10 with great effect BUT there are still the "irreductible Gaulois" in his native France to believe Michalak is a number 9, which he has never been of course.
From all the best number 9 in the World (Genia, Fatuali'i, Youngs, Care, Phillips, Du Preez, etc) none actually share ANY attribute whatsoever with Fred Michalak or even Morgan Parra for that matter.
And why is that? Because French clubs do not know a 10 from a 9. That is a straight fact. The number 9 in France is THE playmaker. Of course to a certain level (nternational rugby) he sucks at it because you cannot be a playmaker from behind your fatties. Sadly for French rugby (because this is its downfall) French clubs never got that memo. So for anyone in France, a good 10 should play at 9 and conversely. Also maybe because the Top 14 is the least tactical championship you can find, just maybe.
To me the closest there is to Michalak in style (the intuitive type) and technique is Quade Cooper just as the closest to Parra is Aaron Cruden. Both fly-halves.
Remember that Dimitri Yachvili already had nothing in common with the likes of Dawson, Stinger, Kelleher, Gregan, etc. No grunt Yachvili.
France is a country of "paradoxe". While all the nations to have won the Webb Ellis trophy (Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, England) achieved it with a playmaker at 10 and a feisty little punk at 9, France is trapped in its own belief.
A number 10 whether in rugby or football is THE PLAYMAKER.
A number 9 is a gnarly grunty little pitbull. It is NOT a mastermind, never will be.
Michalak and Parra are two number 10.
Posted 01:46 15th February 2013
pierredelot1 says...
Just can't understand where St A is going. Surely as a long time player and coach he understands the dangers of playing people out of position. Not only that but to move Fofana to the wing was a grave error. Michalak is not a ten, Toulouse know that, most of France knows that except StA. How can 3rd choice Toulon be first choice France. if you're going to play him play him at 9. Nyanga should always be in and around the squad, not the biggest flanker in the world but certainly one of the quickest and also one of the hardest working. Trouble is is TD really back to full fitness, when the answers yes there is no question to his inclusion. Don't like the idea of Clerc coming back (Solely an English point of view) one of the great finishers and a real delight to watch, they have missed him. Sadly the other Toulouse players are not showing any sort of form, what is this thing with the old Latins. Can't work out if its a loss of form or a dose of can't be bothered, its there country for gods sake. Huget at fullback, England will love that, he's a great attacker but I doubt really up for an afternoon in the trenches, dealing with Englands multiple ball carriers. Poaching a South African is a very interesting culinary prospect, what sort of sauce would you recommend Miladiou, Sauce Anglaise ?
Posted 13:34 13th February 2013
lacroix says...
are you sure he's not going to start Claassen at 10 and Fofana at 2?
and who needs a specialist full back anyway.
Posted 11:03 12th February 2013
5Lock4ward says...
The in form Nyanga's initial absence in favor the too early return based on reputation of Dusatoir is why France is 0-2 so far.
Posted 01:15 12th February 2013
Lastman says...
@ Armchair General
You're sounding like Alex Ferguson, "...everyone plays their best game against us!" Yeah right.
If just a normal person were allowed pick the French team they'd have the Grand Slam this year. Instead they have PSA!! Poor buggers.
Posted 00:59 12th February 2013
Stuntman_Stag says...
Good to see they finally have Nyanga in the team. Supprised to see Fulgence Ouedraogo dropped and Thierry Dusautoir still there, and its nice to see a winger finally there as well. Also what about Fabian Barcella????
Posted 22:56 11th February 2013
RobinMasters says...
The English look miles above France this year, however, remember the last WC? Lost Tonga then knocked down England in a weeks time...
Well, it wasn't Twickenham, but still...
So unpredictably French...
Posted 20:44 11th February 2013
ericmarseille says...
Samson is extremely promising, the group is much better balanced (even if I don't understand keeping with Bastareau, he's strong all right, but alll in all he's a liability), but you don't revolutionize a team before a match against England...We're in for a hiding.
And with that super-dork Huget, we're playing at 141/2 versus 15
Hope one day Vaahamahina learns his trade enough to join Samson in the starting 15 ; wow, a Samson-Vaahamahina pair at lock...That could hold some power!
Posted 19:52 11th February 2013
Chinstan says...
I don't care what form the French are in they are now injured animals and very dangerous. Coupled with a possible back line including Para, TD, Fofana, Bastareaud, Clerc, Fall, Huget looks awesome and we are in for a very stern test. France can be anyone anywhere on their day lets just hope it's not on the 23rd
Posted 17:26 11th February 2013
ABasquefan says...
don't understand why PSA insists on playing with no real FB. Huget is clearly a winger. With the selection made I would play with:
9. Parra, 10. Michalak, 11. Clerc, 12. Fofana, 13. Bastareaud, 14. Huget, 15. Fall
this backline could cause some problems to England. France, as they made each time they are in the hole, will show once what they are capable of when they play as a team. And I have the feeling that this will happen in Twickenham.
PR: don't you have any other picture?
Posted 16:55 11th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
99call: no way England will be laughing their heads off. France have at least one good game in them, probably more. If they could choose one win it would be vs England. It's no coincidence England find it harder to close out grand slams than other teams. It is harder as we get the best performances from every opponent except perhaps Italy.
Posted 16:55 11th February 2013
Jhamer25 says...
Already looking like a winning team again. A front row with domingo in will always be dangerous.
A front fow of Domingo, benjamin Kayser and nicholas mas is a good scrummaging front row and is very physical. Yoann mastri and pascal pape also then adds to a strong frenach pack with picomoles who is by far the best 8 in world rugby. Then you have you two fast and hard working flankers in dusatoir (6) and Nyanga (7).
Now thats a pack that could beat any.
backs then you have Parra, trinh duc, vincent clerc, welsey fofana, mathiau batareaud, vincent clerc and yonn hugett.
You have a mix of strength (Bastareud, fall) and skill there (parra, trinh duc and fofana).
This team can beat England so please put them out phillipe.
Come on France you have the team now you just need the confidence.
Posted 16:49 11th February 2013
miladiou says...
Hate to break it to you all but the team that PR have put up is wrong. Pape is still out and Suta will play.
Very very very disappointing to see us poaching a South African. I thought we were past that.
Posted 16:41 11th February 2013
Vonvon says...
@99call
You have a point and since we have our traditions, we don't "guillotine" only one person at a time. Maybe we could / should add some people from the FFR and the LNR to the convoy...
PS: It's "la" guillotine. Yeah, the French Revolution was trying to promote feminism I guess :-)
Posted 16:17 11th February 2013
melkdave says...
Looks a better balanced 23 with V.Clerc there,and finally W.Fontana and M.Bastareaud may have a chance to show what they can do as a pair(mouthwatering)But still no specialist FB,would have liked to see Butlin or Dulin involved,must stil be injured.I also cant understand why Suta has been dropped,he was one of the players imo,who actually made some impact in the last 2 games.
Posted 16:03 11th February 2013
99call says...
Im not getting PSA at all here, hes only changed one back ok hes dropped one of his many centres and replaced him with a top class winger but there still doesnt appear to be a cohesive backline in that squad
England will be laughing their heads off with this squad especially if he picks the same half backs, hes at least got to start with Para and Trinh-duc but that still leaves to high likely chance that Freddy will get another outing on the pitch lets be honest Freddy Mercury could do better at the moment
If PSA loses this game then the french public will be calling for le guillotine
Posted 15:36 11th February 2013
papachinzo says...
Hopefully Fofana will be in the centre and Parra at 9.
Posted 15:20 11th February 2013
mlbp says...
And Forestier was dropped too. He was OK in the scrums, maybe not so visible as in November with the ball in hand.
Suta played well, he was physical and tackled his heart out, won a handful of line outs. Taofifenua doesn't look to be mature enough for the international arena. I wonder about Samson. Maybe lyhel, Toulousain, lacroix, Kiwirooster, gauca or Rosbif can introduce him to the rest of the contributors (and me).
Chouly didn't prove to be an impact. Ouedraogo looked injured and that might be the reason why he has been dropped.
Mermoz was ineffective, anonymous in defence and in attack. He may have played his last game in blue if he doesn't change his attitude on the field.
The probable line up for Twickers then:
Domingo, Szarzewski, Mas
Pape, Maestri
Dusautoir, Nyanga, Picamoles
Parra, Trinh-Duc
Fall, Fofana, Bastareaud, Clerc
Huget
It makes some more sense. I would give Michalak another run, though.
Posted 14:56 11th February 2013