miladiou says...

@Toulousain - why not keep all 33? well because we can't. The agreement between clubs and FFR means we can only keep the match squad. All other nations keep 30 plus but again we lag behind due to the all powerful clubs.

Secondly - your suggestion to rotate is not a good one. That's what Lievremont did with disastrous results (WC final excepted). FFR have so little access to players that there needs to be continuity.

Posted 14:16 05th November 2012

melkdave says...

Still looks a pretty decent squad ,and @Rosbif echo your thoughts about those cut..But im alot more optomistic it seems than you my friend ,i really feel Australia could get a hammering in Paris,if France turn up to playPSA is a canny coach ,and i bet his been showing them the 50 +point thrashing they got last time against the wallabies,and turning the sound right up when the crowed booded France off.I would also have papers delivered at breakfast ,to drive home just what the french press and public thought of that performance.If that doesnt fire them up nothing would LOL.Also i feel aslong as France can do the basics well ,and pressure the Australian players ,by getting up quickly onto them ect.Natural french flair will open them up .Thats what im hoping for anyway lol.and a cracking game of course lol

Posted 13:11 05th November 2012

Rosbif says...

So the forwards not selected are Attoub, Ben Arous, Guirardo, Vahaamahina and Gunther. Backs released are Plisson, Fickou, Fall and Martin.

Of those, only Gunther and Vahaamahina are surprises for me. Fickou is getting all the press, but it's really too early for him to get his first cap. Plisson would have been interesting to see too. Maybe, if there are a few injuries, we might see some of them against Arg or Samoa?

Add Dusautoir, Toloufua, Medard, Malzieu, Yann David and possibly Harinordoquy, and that feels like the core group for RWC 2015.

Still think we lose this weekend by 20+, but happy to be proven wrong :-)

ALLEZ!!!

Posted 11:15 05th November 2012