It's just the start for France's young axis
At the centre of a mountain of media hype before the last Saturday's Six Nations match against England, France's axis of 'enthusiasm' or 'inexperience', depending on your point of view, reacted to their team's loss in much the same way.
At the centre of a mountain of media hype before the last Saturday's Six Nations match against England, France's axis of 'enthusiasm' or 'inexperience', depending on your point of view, reacted to their team's loss in much the same way.
Phrases such as “taking the initiative”, “not worried”, “enjoying ourselves” and most of all: “frustrated by the English” seem to mirror the sentiments of their coach.
Morgan Parra, François Trinh-Duc and Louis Picamoles had less than 100 minutes of test experience between them when they ran out against England in front of 80,000 people in St Denis.
It would be fair to say that the 8-9-10 combination didn't set the Stade de France alight, but, slowed down by a well-organised English defence, it would also be fair to say that none of the French backs were truly allowed to spread their wings.
“Learning experience”, “communication” and “atmosphere” are three more phrases that repeatedly come up. Far from being clichés, they sum up the mentality being (re)instilled inside the French camp by Marc Lièvremont.
Lièvremont's plan is clearer than ever. While results remain important, more important is the long-term goal of building a team of players confident enough in their own abilities to play positively without being worried about being axed for making a mistake.
Les Bleus' youngsters continually speak of the encouragement they receive and on how the emphasis is on gaining experience rather than resting on their laurels.
“I didn't get worked-up. I knew what to expect,” Parra told rugbyrama. The scrum-half has been called “exceptional” by Lièvremont for his ability to lead a pack of forwards at only 19 year of age.
“On the whole it went well even if we sometimes struggled with the restarts. The English gave us a lot of problems in the rucks. Luckily I've been in the squad for two weeks and the forwards told me that I was the boss for this match.
“It went well. We communicated a lot during the match. We also communicated a lot with Louis [Picamoles]. We reassured each other now and then, which is good.”
Asked about their partnership in midfield, Parra and Trinh-Duc give similar answers, emphasising the communication that Lièvremont believes is so key to the team's success
“We get on well off the field, so naturally we connect well on the field. He's a relaxed, funny guy. We knew what we had to do. We were calm. He commanded the forwards perfectly and fulfilled his role, ” said Trinh-Duc.
“I had the same experience in the Top 14 with Montpellier this year. We formed a new axis with Julien Tomas and François Trinh-Duc which also went well, ” Picamoles told
Far from recklessly believing that 'anything goes', all three are conscious of the importance of their roles in the team and are reluctant to sing their own praises, not wanting to comment on the merits of their performances until after having seen the match video.
“I do have some regrets about the decisions I made, notably one where I passed the ball to Cédric Heymans' feet,” said Parra.
“There are evidently others..also moments when we weren't that lucid and we weren't that sure of what to do after a few phases because we were tired.”
“We tried a lot, took some initiatives. But we lacked rhythm because the English slowed the game down a lot. In any case, we weren't thinking about revenge,” added Trinh-Duc.
“I was tired when I came off. I was frustrated by not having a bigger impact. I say that because I'm rarely satisfied. I want to continue raising my game and make it back into this team,” said Picamoles.
“It was a frustrating match” seems to be the overriding feeling in the French side who were up against an defensively minded English side.
“We made some idiotic mistakes in their half. That allowed them to put the pressure on us and come back into our half. Against a goal-kicker like Jonny Wilkinson, mistakes will cost you three points every time,” lamented Picamoles.
“It's true that we were counter-attacked from the start. They were expecting us out wide. The English set up a veritable defensive wall and we couldn't find a crack,” said Trinh-Duc.
Above all “experience' is the key word and all three are champing at the bit to prove they're worth a spot in the XV de France.
“I've crossed a threshold. In Scotland, I was nervous. I didn't know what to expect. I asked myself if it was harder than at club or European level. It's definitely faster, but I felt freer than at Murrayfield,” said the livewire Parra.
“I makes me want to come back. I'm learning about the top level. I'm gaining experience without being especially worried,” said Trinh-Duc.
“There's a very good atmosphere in this group. The staff are very reassuring and that allows me to have confidence in myself. More than negative pressure, it's excitement. I can't wait to be on the field,” commented Picamoles.