I have to confess, I’m more used to using “allez” in terms of Wasps, but for one year only (and I mean one year ONLY!), I will be following Les Bleus at the RBS 6 Nations 2015. This has been a tricky assignment for me because even though I do watch and enjoy Top 14 rugby, I know little about the players and the French National coach. There are, of course, household names, such as Dusautoire, Para, Bastareud and of course, that famous diver/actor – Huget. (He may want to think about what the public know him for – I’d prefer it to be fast, exciting, explosive rugby, but we all know about that Oscar winning performance, don’t we?), but what of the rest of Philippe Saint-Andre’s squad?
Allez Les Bleus – France Six Nations Preview
The 31-man squad chosen for pre-tournament training raised a few eyebrows with the inclusion of Fijian born, Clermont Winger Noa Nakaitac and the exclusion of experienced hooker Dimitri Szarzewski. Scott Spedding, who only gained French citizenship last Autumn is also included, as is the Racing Full Back, Brice Dulin, who was initially ruled out due to a bicep injury.
Fofana, who was ruled out of the Autumn Internationals after sustaining a thigh injury during training, has been brought back into France’s hopeful squad. Fofana, another Clermont player has a massive impact at centre and pundits reckon, is yet to reach his full potential. Another star in the making?
Camille Lopez, not so much an eyebrow raiser after his starts for France in the Autumn Internationals is a man to watch, says Thomas Castaignede. He goes on to say “The evolution of Lopez’s game has been great to watch, his defence was an area that needed working on and he has done that and made great improvements.” Plaudits indeed from such a well-respected player. Saint-Andre says: “We believe he can carry us and be the man for the RBS 6 Nations. In France the fly-half is a particularly exposed position, and of course at the moment François Trinh-Duc and Frederic Michalak have been out for five months.”…but we think Cami is the best at the moment to bring results for the French team.”
Partnering Lopez, is Rory Kockott, 28. The South African born Castre scrum-half provides cover for the injured Toulon scrum-half, Sebastien Tillous-Borde; his first start for France, having played in the Autumn Internationals from the bench. Another player that qualified for French citizenship last Autumn – has Saint-Andre encouraged Top 14 clubs to recruit players from overseas, with an eye to the RWC2015?
The Lopez/Kockott partnering is the 14th different starting half-back pairing since Saint-Andre took over Head Coach responsibilities three years ago. Indecision or experimenting? Speculation continues as to whether or Saint-Andre will be in charge after the end of the RBS 6 Nations. This tournament is crucial for the French coach, ahead of the RWC later this year. A poor performance over the next few weeks could seal his fate.
According to Rugby World magazine ahead of the Autumn Internationals, Les Bleus fans expectations are so low that when L’Equipe newspaper recently ran an online poll asking readers if they still enjoyed watching Les Bleus, of the 26,000 people who responded only 24 per cent did so in the affirmative.
We all enjoy Top 14 rugby. It’s fast, it’s exciting, and it has LOTS of drop goals. The French team this year are probably positioned 4th behind Ireland, Wales, and England. BUT whatever the results, if the French national side can bring that Top 14 “Je ne sais quoi” to the RBS 6 Nations, we will certainly have entertainment and, we hope, fast EXPLOSIVE rugby.
Saint-Andre says “The objective for us has to be to win the title… this is a very open tournament, four teams are in with a shout of winning and we are one of them.” Allez Les Bleus indeed.
The training squad to date: France Six Nations training squad
Forwards: Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Eddy Ben Arous (Racing Métro), Nicolas Mas (Montpellier), Alexandre Menini (Toulon), Rabah Slimani (Stade Français), Guilhem Guirado (Toulon), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont Auvergne), Alexandre Flanquart (Stade Français), Yoann Maestri (Toulouse), Pascal Papé (Stade Français), Romain Taofifénua (Toulon), Damian Chouly (Clermont Auvergne), Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse), Bernard Le Roux (Racing Métro), Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse), Charles Ollivon (Bayonne), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse).
Backs: Rory Kockott (Castres), Sébastien Tillous-Borde (Toulon), Camille Lopez (Clermont Auvergne), Rémi Talès (Castres), Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon), Alexandre Dumoulin (Racing Métro), Wesley Fofana (Clermont Auvergne), Rémi Lamerat (Castres), Sofiane Guitoune (Bordeaux), Yoann Huget (Toulouse), Noa Nakaitaci (Clermont Auvergne), Teddy Thomas (Racing Métro), Brice Dulin (Racing Métro), Scott Spedding (Bayonne).
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