[2013 EOYT] France

[ZeFrenchy]

Any bets on who will leave the group? I think that PSA not only will keep Mermoz, he will name him in the starting XV. Not that I agree with that, but I don't see him going with any combination of the remaining centers.
So we all know that one lock and one backrower will leave the group. The lock will surely be Flanquart, and the backrower will probably be one of Leroux or Nyanga (my money is on Leroux staying).
For the backs it looks more complicated, and will depend on how the bench will look like. So far, PSA has had one 9 and one 10 on the bench, plus one center, shifting Fofana to the wing if there's an injury in the back three, but the lack of goalkicking in the 9-10's of the squad might make him change for once. I suppose it will depend on how Machenaud and Doussain's goalkicking look in training. Conditional on that, I think we'll see something like:

Domingo, Kayser, Mas, Papé, Maestri, Leroux, Dusautoir, Picamoles; Doussain, Tales, Guitoune, Mermoz, Fofana, Huget, Dulin
Bench: Forestier, Szarzewski, Slimani, Vahaamahina, Chouly, Machenaud, Plisson, Bastareaud.

 

[Big Ewis]

In bold the ones I'd say they'll drop:Forwards: Thomas Domingo (Clermont), Yannick Forestier (Castres), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont), Dimitri Szarzewski (Racing-Métro), Nicolas Mas (Montpellier), Rabah Slimani (Stade Français), Alexandre Flanquart (Stade Français), Yoann Maestri (Toulouse), Pascal Papé (Stade Français), Sébastien Vahaamahina (Perpignan), Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse, cap), Bernard Le Roux (Racing-Métro), Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse), Antoine Burban (Stade Français), Damien Chouly (Clermont), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse)

Backs: Jean-Marc Doussain (Toulouse), Maxime Machenaud (Racing-Métro), Jules Plisson (Stade Français), Rémi Talès (Castres), Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon), Gaël Fickou (Toulouse), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Maxime Mermoz (Toulon), Sofiane Guitoune (Perpignan), Yoann Huget (Toulouse), Maxime Médard (Toulouse), Geoffrey Palis (Castres), Hugo Bonneval (Stade Français), Brice Dulin (Castres)

- It's a bit confusing all because of the goal kicking. Palis was brought in largely for his goal-kicking, but they're not going to make him into a FH are they so they're not going to use up a 3/4 back slot that could contain Médard or Fickou. So Palis out.
- Bonneval same thing. It's nice they get to see him up close and personal and then what he can do on a field, how coachable he is, his aptitudes etc...in the future they'll have an idea of who he is Rugby-wise and may want to pick him.
- Guitoune is on PSA's mind, he loves him and has shown really nice things already this past November. Huget and Guitoune to start on the wing, Médard dropped. Plus, the one flaw in Guitoune's game, defense, is not Médard's forte either. No loss.
- All in all, Mermoz still is a pretty accomplished center in terms of fundamental skills. We just don't see him enough in Toulon and he hasn't shined in a while in a Bleus jersey, looking mediocre. Dropped still, as PSA wants "the currently on-form" and will prefer big Basta to him, who was picked to start matches this past Feb. in the 6N so not a new thing.

I'll go out on a limb and make some 'funny' picks and say this is what PSA will align for "le crunch":
1 Domingo
2 Kayser
3 Mas
4 Vahaamahina
5 Papé
6 Dusautoir
7 LeRoux
8 Picamoles
9 Machenaud
10 Talès
11 Guitoune
12 Fofana
13 Basta
14 Huget
15 Dulin

16 Szar
17 Forestier
18 Slimani
19 Maestri
20 Burban
21 Doussain
22 Plisson
23 Fickou

But you may have a point ZeFrenchy about Mermoz and Basta. He may want to go classic with the midfield and keep Basta fresh off the bench for a big last 20min impact.

But about the kicking: PSA has said that Machenaud and others were training hard on their penalty kicking. So if the 23 you picked or mine are correct, our kickers would be in deed Machenaud and Doussain, which aren't known for that. Plisson and Talès don't kick, at least in the Top 14.
What a silly dilemma. We may have to sacrifice a much better back for another just because he can score penalties. All our kickers are dead: Parra, Pélissié, TD, Michalak, Lopez, even Fritz.

 

[Aedaphon]

No FTD again. I'm despairing.

But as an England supporter, bloody fantastic.

 

[Big Ewis]

don't speak too soon, pom. We might just see why this Plisson kid was selected in front of TD soon enough.

 

[Aedaphon]

don't speak too soon, pom. We might just see why this Plisson kid was selected in front of TD soon enough.

Well, with France, literally anything is possible. I'd bet for them placing 3rd... But only because it's an average between 1st and 5th.

 

[Big Ewis]

Well, with France, literally anything is possible. I'd bet for them placing 3rd... But only because it's an average between 1st and 5th.

haha !...
well what can I tell you man...hopefully this is our year. I have a feeling we'll win the tournament, though not with a GS. We need to beat a few demons this year by winning against England first and foremost, then I think a little confidence will flow and we'll feel a little more comfortable for the rest of the way, but Cardiff will be tough. Oh, I'm sorry, didn't mean to scare you there.......*CARDIFF*.

 

[Big Ewis]

(not a double)
Saint-André has already commented on Parra being potentially available for international duty, since he's returning for the clash against the Quins on Saturday. Of course, he's not included in the current group of 30. They'll look to see if anybody gets injured and then they'll include him back...
I suuuuure hope they won't remove Doussain and take Parra though....I have a feeling that'll happen. The best possible thing would be Parra+Doussain, and Machenaud the fk out.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I hear France are playing Phillipe Saint-Andre as coach but may look to sub him after the 5th game if he isn't up to standard.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Anyone watching the Quins-ASM game? Buttin's kicking game has really improved.

 

[FrenchFan]

World Cup next year and France still do not know who will be playing 9 and 10, well played St Andre!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oui and he doesnt know his centre pairings either for 12-13, many options but he needs to nail down something definite, he is running out of time.......

 

[FrenchFan]

Anyone watching the Quins-ASM game? Buttin's kicking game has really improved.

oui i watched, great game, nail biter, great win for l'ASM, not easy place to get a win, they showed a lot of bottle and nerve away from home. Buttin had a good game. Potential recall with les bleus later?

 

[FrenchFan]

Update for the upcoming England match:
selection to be announced on Monday (tomorrow).

Here's what's at discussion:
FH
with Camille Lopez out indefinitely, who to cover as our backup 10 ? Nobody wants Michalak, and he hasn't played at all since the Nov. tests for Toulon. Everybody's still mentioning Francois Trinh-Duc of course, but the newest tendency is a big appreciation for young Stade Français talent Jules Plisson. I personally would like to see what he can do in a Bleus jersey, but maybe the return of TD could be a nice touch to this year's 6N

Center:
Fritz is out because (of a fukking motorcycle accident) so Basta and Fickou to play bigger roles, and they're both very good. I'm glad we have them. Some people still mention David Marty for his aggressive uncompromising style, and I'd like to personally add Toulouse's Yann David would look really nice on that squad. At 185cm 105kg, he'd add some good power to the midfield and he's had some quality play lately.

Third row:
Fee-fi-fo-fum Picamoles finally returns, and hopefully ogrish as ever. Lauret is still in the mentions, while Ouedraogo still is out injured. Dusautoir, Nyanga and Damien Chouly are still in the race, with SpringCock LeRoux still there.
The newer mention these days has been Antoine Burban who's apparently having a good season in SF. Haven't seen much this season. 190cm 110kg.
here's a highlight:



Burban having a great season with SF. Monster tackle. This is what they need to do agst Eng!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

I've always liked Buttin quite a bit, and he might perhaps be better than Dulin, who knows. But Dulin is very good at FB and so there isn't really a need for change.

 

[FrenchFan]

I've always liked Buttin quite a bit, and he might perhaps be better than Dulin, who knows. But Dulin is very good at FB and so there isn't really a need for change.

non not change. Dulin is his first choice at the moment. Buttin is still young but showing great potential. PSA needs more depth in that position. Huget is also an excellent full back. Buttin was called in the group last year and deserve another shot in bleu.

 

[Big Ewis]

non not change. Dulin is his first choice at the moment. Buttin is still young but showing great potential. PSA needs more depth in that position. Huget is also an excellent full back. Buttin was called in the group last year and deserve another shot in bleu.

definitely. One fantastic talent. To think we had our Fullback crisis just last year...turned out Huget is perhaps a better fullback than winger at int'l level !

 

[Maverick1987]

I think poitrenaud should start

 

[Big Ewis]

I think poitrenaud should start

? What's wrong with Poitrenaud ?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Just gonna put this out there... Nyanga is my favorite French player by quite a distance.

 

[Big Ewis]

Just gonna put this out there... Nyanga is my favorite French player by quite a distance.

like...would you fancy a nice evening in a bathtub with him ? Champagne, candles...Tom Jones....

 

[Maverick1987]

? What's wrong with Poitrenaud ?

I thought he was the French Alex Goode non ?