French Squad to face Ireland

Steffano2002

Composition de l'équipe de France:

Poitrenaud (Stade Toulousain) - Clerc (Stade Toulousain), Marty (Perpignan), Jauzion (Stade Toulousain), Dominici (Stade Français) - (o) Skrela (Stade Français), (m) Mignoni (Clermont) - Harinordoquy (Biarritz), Chabal (Sale/ENG), Betsen (Biarritz) - Papé (Castres), Nallet (Castres) - De Villiers (Stade Français), Ibanez (Wasps/ENG, cap.), Marconnet (Stade Français)

Remplaçants : Bruno (Sale/ANG), Milloud (Bourgoin), Thion (Biarritz), Bonnaire (Bourgoin), Yachvili (Biarritz), Beauxis (Stade Français), Heymans (Stade Toulousain)

Pity Laporte didn't decide to keep the team that won convincingly in Italy...

I think Ieland will win (perhaps even "easily")...

davyjose

Yep, that'll do me. Looks like he's got the old 'squad rotation' cap on. He really is quite a bad manager!

zAbbo

That's a beefy back row, Harinordoquy was the 8 at RWC2003, mixed in now with Betsen (thug) and Chabal !

Milloud on the bench is interesting, and putting in Clerc over Heymens as well.

Promising for us.

Steffano2002

davyjose wrote:

Yep, that'll do me. Looks like he's got the old 'squad rotation' cap on. He really is quite a bad manager!

Indeed... But we're stuck with him until the end of the RWC... If he stays on after that he will be murdered

Steffano2002

zabbo wrote:

That's a beefy back row, Harinordoquy was the 8 at RWC2003, mixed in now with Betsen (thug) and Chabal !

Milloud on the bench is interesting, and putting in Clerc over Heymens as well.

Promising for us.

Indeed! You guys should win IMO...

I'm happy he kept Chanal at 8 though! I'm his biggest fan! The day after the match the Italian press christened him "The Anesthetist"! LOL

terry mac

This will be Chabal's last game in this 6N methinks. He is gonna be rubbish as usual against Ireland. He looks great running at the Italian backs, but apart from Hickie I'd be fairly confident the Irish backs ( and forwards, for that matter) will be able to deal with him. Its always happened with him. Leamy any day ahead of Chabal.

I think he also benefits from the "Long Hair (and beard) effect". Whatever Chabal does your going to know who it is, whether it be bad or good. If he makes a good tackle, you know you can say confidently its Chabal, unlike other players where you go "Great tackle. Who was that, Wallace?, Leamy? oh right Marcus Horan" and many times never find out.

I have never seen video clips, of him put have been told that the great French wing forward Jean Pierre Rievve also benefited from having flowing blond hair, and always being noticed (I'm pretty sure he was class though, coz he is always mentioned as one of the best players of all time!!!)

Ponster

davyjose wrote:

Yep, that'll do me. Looks like he's got the old 'squad rotation' cap on. He really is quite a bad manager!

Not really. he and the rest of France couldn't care less about the 6Nations this year with the World Cup coming up in September.

shrapnel222

Ponster wrote:

Not really. he and the rest of France couldn't care less about the 6Nations this year with the World Cup coming up in September.

I agree to a certain extent about this- but what France wants in a year such as this is a bit of consistency which has been severely lacking up to now, and in order to feel we have the smallest of chances of winning the world cup, then winning the 6 nations by beating the best teams and playing well against the worst has become an important test. Before last autumn, everyone was saying only the French could beat the all blacks- now, after shocking international friendlies, this has gone out the window. Winning the grand slam isn't important in itself, but will provide us with a bit of a boost in the same way it would provide the Irish with a huge boost before the world cup. Can't wait!!!!!

davyjose

Ponster wrote:

Not really. he and the rest of France couldn't care less about the 6Nations this year with the World Cup coming up in September.

I don't believe this. What is the point of switching off before the world cup. Look at England 4 years ago - they demolished the Grand Slam, and it paid off. If that really is the French attitude, then it is no wonder they are consistant underachievers.

Ponster

Well based on reports in L'equipe and writings in the free "Metro" mag by Laporte himself, the 6N games are to be used to test out new players and have the best formation ready for the WC. By the time they play their last game he hopes to have the starting 15 ready.

He confirmed again that everyone out of the original 40 chosen for the 6N squad will get a game so that means that even if his selection beats Ireland next Sunday, it'll be changed against Ireland just to test out new players/new tactics.

To be honest I've spoken to many French supporters recently and they have all said that losing a couple of games in the 6N would be fine if it meant going into the WC knowing the capacities of every player in the squad.

davyjose

I don't see France even coming close to winning the World Cup, I also think the French fans are kidding themselves if they think it's possible to lose a few games in the 6 Nations, and still be good enough to win the World Cup.
Also even England, barring injuries, have a fair idea of their starting XV for Autumn, and the French don't? This is extremely shoddy management. Maybe the French will use all this as an excuse (an invalid one too) for not winning the 6 Nations, but what will their excuse be for not winning the World Cup?

shrapnel222

davyjose wrote:

I don't see France even coming close to winning the World Cup, I also think the French fans are kidding themselves if they think it's possible to lose a few games in the 6 Nations, and still be good enough to win the World Cup.
Also even England, barring injuries, have a fair idea of their starting XV for Autumn, and the French don't? This is extremely shoddy management. Maybe the French will use all this as an excuse (an invalid one too) for not winning the 6 Nations, but what will their excuse be for not winning the World Cup?

i think every team out there has the same excuse for not winning the world cup- New Zealand!!!:D

I agree though, that this has been very shoddy management, it's been as inconsistent as their players and results. this six nations might have a few try outs in there, but it's all about playing well consistantly, whoever is on the pitch

Steffano2002

terry mac wrote:

This will be Chabal's last game in this 6N methinks. He is gonna be rubbish as usual against Ireland. He looks great running at the Italian backs, but apart from Hickie I'd be fairly confident the Irish backs ( and forwards, for that matter) will be able to deal with him. Its always happened with him. Leamy any day ahead of Chabal.

We'll see after the game! I'm hoping you're wrong of course but I know deep down that what you say might indeed happen...

Ponster

Oh I'm sure they'll come up with an excuse

Jo Maso, le manager des Bleus, l'admet sans problème : « Nous avons beaucoup fait tourner à l'intérieur du groupe par rapport à l'Italie. Ces changements sont logiques, par rapport à la stratégie définie avec Bernard Laporte et le staff de l'équipe de France. Il faut faire vivre la concurrence, pour que tout le monde bénéficie de temps de jeu»
«Ce n'est surtout pas une équipe sanction, c'est une équipe de turn-over. Les cinq qui sortent n'ont rien fait de mal, on veut juste voir un maximum de monde, comme prévu. »

5 changes programmed for the Irish match and as explained (in French), the 5 players that lost their place didn't play bad, they just want to see a maximum of players play during the 6N.
To answer your question though, no, I don't think thay have a clear vision of their WC squad atm. Maybe they did before the winder friendlies but after the All Black games and beating the Pumas by only 1 point it was back to the drawing-board.

«On n’est pas là pour les juger sur un match. On a 5 matches pour avoir toutes les cartes en main», avait annoncé Laporte au sortir de la belle victoire inaugurale.

translated = "We aren't going to judge them after one match. We have 5 matches before we know what cards we're holding."

Maybe just an excuse but it was the reason given when asked why 5 players were being replaced, but as you can see, he's suggesting that the 6N is nothing more than a WC warm-up !

I couldn't care less what they think it is as long as we beat them

zAbbo

This isn't Rugby Manager, you can't throw a few players into a team and see how they get on, Squads evolve, and you pick the best squad you can at any given time, no point throwing some in for 'experience' or not being sure what your best team is.

How long has Laporte been in charge ? 6-7 years, if he doesn't know his best 22 now, he should be sacked, same if he doesn't know his best XV.

Even World Cup squads evolve, due to the unpredictability of so many games in a different environment.

Personally I think it's great Laporte is still in charge, his selections are baffling, and mist frustrate players to no end.

Steffano2002

Guys, you're wasting time trying to figure out what Laporte's plan is... He doesn't even know himself! Only time will tell if he's a genius or a completely useless a$$hole... I'm thinking the latter obviously...

Steffano2002

zabbo wrote:

Personally I think it's great Laporte is still in charge, his selections are baffling, and must frustrate players to no end.

And the French supporters!!!

That's why there is no doubt in my mind Ireland will win on Sunday. I'm just hoping to see a good game of rugby with a proper referee (not looking that way though...).

davyjose

Exacty, which is why there can be no excuses. The most important man, isn't one of the XV on the pitch - it's the coach. Laporte lost France a GS last year (try convincing me that 15 weren't good enough to beat Scotland), and it is Laporte who will lose them this one.
I agree totally with Zabbo - he realised France weren't good enough against NZ, so rather than spend 12 months improving that side, he tears up the team sheet (and remember, this side were convincingly one of the best NH sides in a long time) and starts again. I can see France tripping at the group stages in the WC. Disaster - that's why I don't accept any excuses for the 6 Nations. This year should be about ruthlessly demolishing everything in your path right the way from the opening match of the 6 Nations to the World Cup final. Just like England did; just like New Zealand Will; and, in fairness, like Ireland have determined to do!

terry mac

davyjose wrote:

I don't see France even coming close to winning the World Cup, I also think the French fans are kidding themselves if they think it's possible to lose a few games in the 6 Nations, and still be good enough to win the World Cup.
Also even England, barring injuries, have a fair idea of their starting XV for Autumn, and the French don't? This is extremely shoddy management. Maybe the French will use all this as an excuse (an invalid one too) for not winning the 6 Nations, but what will their excuse be for not winning the World Cup?

Well, they've come pretty close in the last two World Cups and their performance in 6NATIONS and international tests in the preceeding year was abysmal. Its not about knowing 6 months in advance what your team is going to be, its about knowing the morning of the match that you've got your best XV on the field. Last WC, France performed as a pretty w ell oiled machine if I remember correctly ( England match was a bit of a disaster, mainly due to Michalak's flakiness).

The French open style of play allows them to chop and change a lot more and not be that badly affected. They just all play the same way! Same with Wales to a lesser extent. Teams like Ireland and England play a much more structured game, based aroung the set piece, pre-set plays etc. Thats why we need consistency and continuity in team selection. We can make changes in the back three, back row easily enough, but bringing in a new hooker or new half backs can cause shall we say teething problems.

davyjose

terry mac wrote:

Well, they've come pretty close in the last two World Cups and their performance in 6NATIONS and international tests in the preceeding year was abysmal.

Well if their happy to do it that way again, good luck to them. The thing is, they don't have to play abysmal this year - they have the numbers and are being wasted. I think giving players gametime as a unit is more important. And remember France went on from the World Cup and won the 6 Nations (Grand slam?), because they continued to improve from then on - perhaps if they'd had a good previous 6 Nations, they'd have won the tournament!!!.[/QUOTE]

terry mac wrote:

The French open style of play allows them to chop and change a lot more and not be that badly affected.

I strongly disagree - France are terminal underachievers. Now and again they come out with a strong 6 Nations, and usually a decent WC run (which again isn't surprising when your inside the top 4 nations in the world regularly - are New Zealand WC over-achievers? No way, but When have they missed a semi, or final?). In fact the only level of consistency they maintain is always against us! Maybe they think they can chop and change - I don't. And having a structure is what won England the WC, even though they had peaked, because they could rely on that structure. If France have a bad game, they crumble, because there is nothing to fall back on.

terry mac

davyjose wrote:

I strongly disagree - France are terminal underachievers. Now and again they come out with a strong 6 Nations, and usually a decent WC run (which again isn't surprising when your inside the top 4 nations in the world regularly - are New Zealand WC over-achievers? No way, but When have they missed a semi, or final?). In fact the only level of consistency they maintain is always against us!

You suggested they won't get out of the group. You seem to be basing this on their manager's current strategy of squad rotation, not putting everything into the Six Nations etc. The same strategy that got them to RWC final and semi last 2 times.

And I think winning the Six Nations 5 times out of the last 10 with 4 Grand Slams is slightly more regular than "Now and again". If thats terminal underachievement in a period where you have a very good English team, sometimes brilliant Irish team, then maybe you've set your standard a bit high. Think of it this way, 3 years ago Ireland made a very big deal out of winning Autumn internationals or the Triple Crown, a few years and a couple of wins, suddenly its not such a big thing and we've set our sights higher, at Grand Slam/ Six Nations win. Same with France, they've set their sights on the World Cup. You never know, I'd still back them ahead of Ireland to stroll through to another Grand Slam.

Maybe they think they can chop and change - I don't. And having a structure is what won England the WC, even though they had peaked, because they could rely on that structure. If France have a bad game, they crumble, because there is nothing to fall back on.

They're French. Thats what you get. They're not going to be anglicised in rugby terms!!

Steffano2002

terry mac wrote:

They're French. Thats what you get. They're not going to be anglicised in rugby terms!!

You can say that again! And again. And again...

davyjose

I think not performing to the best of your capabilities is underachieving. There is no doubt in my mind that France are guilty of this from time to time. When you look at Top 14 rugby there is no reason that the French cannot dominate in the NH the way New Zealand do in the SH.
Speaking of New Zealand, they have come under criticism for not settling on a first team, and now they seem to have. Ireland have, Wales have, Even England seem to have. I'm not particularly having a dig at France's past history. But I am about this French side. I think that trying to figure out your best line-up with a maximum of 8 games to the world cup is very dodgy. What does this give players to rely on when they come against the big sides in the WC (which they will do in the group stages)? Practicing as a team is more important than individually. Rugby is the ultimate team sport.