France

Sinolated says...

Guys, while you all have a point and your starting XV are viable, this is not the solution for France. Changes are not the solution. Yes, Michalak, Skrela, Beauxis, Picamoles... ect are all great but you're forgetting that when Lievremont finally (at least seemingly) settled on his best XV last summer and autumn, then took them to the 6N earlier this year they were unplayable. Let's face it; they looked like world beaters and they bloody well were: beating NZ then SA and whopping everybody in the 6N.

This nightmare that Lievremont is in, is a one that he brought on himself. His tactical awareness is good; how else could he have those amazing 8 month from the summer tour last year till the 6N this year? And it seamed that he found his best XV. For all those not happy with Trinh-duc; have you forgotten how well he orchestrated France's grand slam earlier this year? I'd take Parra and Trinh-duc at 9 and 10 ahead of any other combination in the Top 14 NOT because they are the best (I admit that they are not) but because they have played good along each other for a good while and time is not on Lievremont's side to try new combinations. He's in this mess because of his obsession with blooding new players.

Everybody excused him when he went mad for the first two years capping over 70 players! But the rewards were great - he's unearthed amazing talent. But he went into overdrive. He's over done it. Everybody thought he was finished with tinkering around earlier this year, but here we go again: Rougerie at 12, Traille at 10, a non-cohesive back line when France produces players by the dozen. Leave out Medard, Poitrenaud, Clerc, Malizeau... I just don't get it.

He should be selecting the same XV (injuring permitting) to strengthen them, improve their coherence, gel them together, and start thinking of the world cup already!

Posted 14:25 04th December 2010

KiwiLad says...

No way is it to late to change a coach!

How many international sides have had a new breath of life put into them by a new coach?

Eng at last world cup?

Abs in 87? just to name two

Posted 08:41 30th November 2010

KubilaKhan says...

French Rugby? What the hell has happened to them? They Used to be such a physical side that just brutalized teams, now, they're falling apart and playing spot and go selfish rugby and giving these young big-headed players too much ball-bad form. Also, will someone put Chabal out to pasture? I think we're past savage brutality winning games at this point.

Posted 05:06 30th November 2010

gauca says...

Sebbb/bambo totally agree with you musings, I think the following looks something like Fra best 22 though.

1barcella,2servat,3poux,4nallet,5picamoles, 6dussatoir,7bonnaire,8harinordaquuy,

9dupuuy,10trin-duc, 11heymans, 12fritz,13malzieu, 14floch, 15poitrenaud.

Bench - mas, szarsewski, domingo, chabal, basteraud, medard, michalak (injury free ofcourse).

All the backs in this line up are interchangable and have the inclination to run not kick. The pack will always srummage people to death but of late Fra have been useless in line out so bonnaire must start along side imanol. A fit michalak can cover both 9/10 better than most and during the current law interpretations you need inventive players at 9/10 not someone with a big boot. And when Fra have tired out the opp defence who better to bring on to demolish people than basteraud and chabal?

I cannot think of a better line up to mix power, pace and flare, having watched how Fra have played, drifting in both attack and defence I think the sooner we learn to blitz in defence and run straight not accross in attack Fra will be far more formidable.

Posted 19:57 29th November 2010