Philippe Saint-André: Setting a target
France coach Philippe Saint-André has equated his side's challenge of winning at Twickenham next Saturday with their own Grand Slam.
France's Six Nations title hopes disappeared after their opening two defeats to Italy and Wales but les Bleus will travel to London hoping to salvage some pride and end England's bid for a Grand Slam.
Defeat, however, would take France closer to their first wooden spoon since 1957.
"The England game can be our Grand Slam," said Saint-André as he met up with his squad at Orly airport on Saturday.
"The English are euphoric at the moment. Everyone is favouring them for the Grand Slam and us for the wooden spoon," added Saint-André, whose target this season had been an improvement from their fourth-placed finish in his first Six Nations last year.
"We have to go there full of enthusiasm, confidence and daring," said Saint-André.
"We are going there totally unrestrained. What a wonderful challenge to be going to Twickenham. I am really eager to be proud of a team that is going to go there and give 120 percent."
The former Sale and Toulon coach has blamed the overloaded Top 14 schedule for the fatigue of his players in contrast to squad all their games in November, but said he hoped a week's rest would have freshened them up.
"We have players who are going to be fresh physically, therefore we are going to have good training sessions," said the coach.
"It is important that the group lives well together, and from that the team gives their all on the pitch."
France will announce their starting line-up on Thursday.
Comments
JamieTheProp says...
@ papachinzo - nothing like ignoring the facts is there. England are unbeaten, playing good rugby against decent teams (and very few teams win in Ireland).
Wales are playing appalling rugby (even in their win).
Now I am not saying they won't beat England (they have some great players) but if you were a betting men you wouldn't back them to (based on the facts).
Idiot!
Posted 12:45 21st February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Just bring it.
Posted 09:56 20th February 2013
Coshie78 says...
Kid_Diablo... ha ha good point. Think it was tongue in cheek though!
I learnt long ago to ignore front row forwards, strange beings!
As for Saturday, I think the Twickenham factor will have a big effect, France rarely win there and confidence must be low in the camp.
Even if France do put on a performance it is not a foregone conclusion. I hope they do play well and we get a cracking game...as long as England win..
My prediction England by 12.... couple of tries a piece, Farrell's boot doing the job
Posted 10:01 19th February 2013
lacroix says...
It may well be France perform better but the fact is all is not well in the camp and England who are beginning to gel should beat them comfortably at home. If France even run them close it will be a good result for them.
Posted 16:56 17th February 2013
heart_of_oak says...
I'm with Melkdave on this. The French will not play badly 3 games in a row. They will give this game everything they've got and we know they've got great players.
I've watched several French games recently and the standard of rugby they play is very high. It's every bit as high as the best game you'll see in England.
They've got a powerful scrum and a powerful back line.
Having said all that, we've got a good scrum too and we've also got a good back line and our defence has improved alot. Both teams are playing some people out of position.
So the two sides look - to me at any rate - to be very evenly matched. I think if the French make any infringements then Farrell is so reliable he'll put points on the board. But we could also see some flashes of genius from some of the great French players in the back line.
This will be one hell of a tough contest for both teams. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some injuries and if the quality of the bench determines the result. I think our bench just shades it over the French one. But it's a close call.
Posted 14:09 17th February 2013
NHsaints says...
@papachinzo your posts have deteriorated into utter codswollop of late, England never bigged themselves up and beat a formidable irish side in ireland and hammered a half decent scottish side (the first I've seen since '99 that actually plays fast paced attacking rugby). If they beat france (which will be no walkover I'm sure) they will be in with a very realistic shout of the grandslam. In all fairness though we've won nothing yet.
Posted 13:28 17th February 2013
Kid_Diablo says...
@nabberuk: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_8506002,00.html About seventeen minutes after you posted :)
Posted 12:46 17th February 2013
nabberuk says...
papachinzo
utter rubbish as usual. At what point did the English team say how good they were?
give you a clue.... They didn't!
Posted 09:59 17th February 2013
kybone says...
Have to say i agree with meelkdave on this one, i just dont see France being as bad for a third game on the trot. I don't want to get carried away as do have a lot of confidence in this England team, but i still think its quite possible that we could lose two of our remaining three games. If we do then France are actually still in with a shout, and thats what they'll be clinging to going into next weekends game.
Posted 09:39 17th February 2013
gozar2013 says...
How surprising that Saint Andre hides behind the excuse of player fatigue rather than his poor selections as the demise of France. He continually picks players out of position and does not pick the best players availabe for France. He has not picked any of the good young forwards or backs coming through for France but relies on veterans, and he has also picked a South African born player. What does that do for the morale of any young french player coming through. As soon as he is gone the better, because im afraid the only way is down for France from here.
Posted 09:16 17th February 2013
PREEST says...
The French have been gutless, and do not expect them to win at all.
Posted 02:30 17th February 2013
papachinzo says...
All the talk is around this English side and to be honest, I don't think they're as good as they think they are. They beat an awful Scottish side and a poor and terribly coached Irish team, who could have put 20 points on them if things went their way.
France are coming into this match with lack-luster form, so I don't think England will face much more than a light breath of wind this weekend. The biggest challenge England face is away in the Millennium Stadium and this is where I feel they will be handed an almighty hiding by a Welsh side, pining for reconciliation.
Posted 20:51 16th February 2013
melkdave says...
And so the mind games begin.France will be dagerous thats got to be given,i just cant see them having 3 really bad performances on the trot.England have to prepare as if they are facing the France of the aurtum ,and play accordingly ,its that simple.Still a very dangerous match for England ,no complacency ,and expect a battle royal,and hopefor a solid victory.
Posted 18:19 16th February 2013