[2013 EOYT] France

[Big Ewis]

Parra gets a 4 week ban and Machenaud is injured, leaving just Doussain of Toulouse for the All Blacks game, will this give Jonathon Pelissie of Montpellier the chance that he deserves after playing excellent rugby for Montpellier so far this season, and if PSA had any balls he would select Trinh-Duc at 10 while he is at it!!!!!!!!!!! but that is another story.

lol well I was going to post that, about Pélissié...but seeing how nobody's replying on here !
Yup, I sure hope he picks Pélissié. But still, it's not like Pélissié is going to lead France past the All-Blacks in his first ever test. He's got a bunch of raw talent, already has good skill, but he needs more experience, a lot more at this point. But I do think he could become a 'great' SH.
Not sure if it's wise to pick him against the Blacks and Boks though. It's very risky.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

lol well I was going to post that, about Pélissié...but seeing how nobody's replying on here !
Yup, I sure hope he picks Pélissié. But still, it's not like Pélissié is going to lead France past the All-Blacks in his first ever test. He's got a bunch of raw talent, already has good skill, but he needs more experience, a lot more at this point. But I do think he could become a 'great' SH.
Not sure if it's wise to pick him against the Blacks and Boks though. It's very risky.

It's not just this thread that's gathering dust, my friend. I'd think after the opening rounds of the HEC and the finals of the Currie Cup are done we'll see action on these boards again.

As for selecting a raw player I almost want to say, "why not?" Against the All Blacks France are probably underdogs and a bit of risk might just be the spark needed to ignite that potential.Against SA a more conservative approach and banking on the expected home advantage is probably the best bet as it's probably a 50/50 game and one France should look to win at home. In SA the feeling is that we need to bring in some of our up-and-coming talent to replace what we feel are still weak points or rather not strong positions. Heynecke Meyer is a conservative coach but even so I expect you'll see two new caps this tour for SA so why not France?

 

[gaston le gaff]

Thrown into the deep end swim or drown, if he makes it he will never look back and there are plenty of 9,10's who have done similar, he's ready and full of confidence, the amount of interviews he is getting at the moment post training, every week someone wants to talk to him or video him, he is more attractive material than both Oeudraogo and Trinh-Duc together. He is ready and it would be a better bet than Doussain, although i have nothing against the Toulouse no.9 Pick Pelissie and you never know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Watch the Montpelier v Ulster ( on France's A2) game Pelissie v Pienaar 2 excellent scrum halves one with buckets of expirience, the other just superb raw talent and the speed of a black panther, (not bad for a white Frenchie)

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I wouldn't trade Parra for any of the other 9's. For me he's well above as far as consistency, game management and variety (this myth that Parra only slows down the game is pure nonsense imo). Pelissie has been outstanding at times, but he was very average against SF and against Perpignan.
This time, though, we have nothing to complain about Parra's suspension, it was really deserved. Though, on the other hand, the two ASM players that were holding the other player down should have been banned as well. The right way to stop a fight is to hold back the guy from your own team, holding the other is participating in the aggression.
I guess there will be no backup for Parra, as he will only miss one match. If one of Doussain or Pelissie gets injured, I suppose Tillous-Borde or Dupuy would be called up as emergency.

 

[Big Ewis]

I agree with ZeFrenchy, and that's why I'm reluctant towards Pélissié. I love the guy, I love his raw energy, attack-mindedness and creativity, good legs, can actually score tries for a SH that's rare, and is an essential part of a big machine in MP. But yes, he has shown inconsistency, but that's normal though. He can't score like 30 points every night obviously, and he can't shine and be all over our TV screens every single night.
But he was rather invisible on some occasions, it's true. Hence, my concern, and concern for the XV de France selection.
Parra is consistent, but has looked rather dimmed down himself a lot. He would shine previously, and he hasn't been as "visible" it seems this year.

Doussain is the most standard no.9, he's looked very good though in that one test in NZ last summer, but he's just....fine. He's good, but he's not super creative and all that...
Tillous Borde or Dupuy ? hmmmm...we'll see.

 

[gaston le gaff]

whether you agree or disagree Parra will not be playing against the All Blacks as he is banned, so whatever happens will happen, without Parra, nobody is saying get rid of Parra he is just unavailable.........

 

[Big Ewis]

whether you agree or disagree Parra will not be playing against the All Blacks as he is banned, so whatever happens will happen, without Parra, nobody is saying get rid of Parra he is just unavailable.........

right.
I think ZeFrenchy is saying through this that Parra has his place right now as the standard, experienced and better fit for the XV de France no.9 - and talks of his replacements should only be for the short term solution, and not extend that.

I do agree with that for the most part, but ZeFrenchy does have a soft spot for Parra. In fact, I bet he has a nice wide picture of him naked as his desktop background...

 

[Tony Manx]

Parra and FTD...............terrific!! Probably be Doussain and Michalak though......................Ugh!!

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Parra is appealing against his ban; so wait and see if he's available for 1 or 2 of the November matches.

What starting XV would French fans like to see PSA select to face the All Blacks?

 

[Big Ewis]

Parra is appealing against his ban; so wait and see if he's available for 1 or 2 of the November matches.

What starting XV would French fans like to see PSA select to face the All Blacks?

from the already picked 30 (listed a little higher on this page) ?
This for me:

1 - Domingo
2 - Kayser
3 - Mas
4 - Maestri
5 - Papé
6 - Dusautoir
7 - Nyanga
8 - Picamoles
9 - Doussain
10 - Lopez
11 - Guitoune/Huget
12 - Fofana
13 - Fritz
14 - Médard
15 - Dulin

* No discussion for 1-2-3, no scrum destroys this or hardly ever pushes it back.
* 4-5 Going traditional for the locks, perhaps young blood could be good but I like experience in the locks.
* 6-7-8: I like the all-Toulouse back-row, Nyanga offers extra-flanker ability, Dusautoir is a classic pick against the AB's and then Fee-fi-fo-fum Picamoles is the biggest no-brainer (along with Fofana at center).
* 9 Doussain had one very good game last summer against the Blacks, and is good overall. He may have another quality game here.
* 10 Camille Lopez or Rémi Tales ?...I'll say Lopez. I feel he has more ability while Tales is a good classic fly-half in the making.
* 11-14: wish I'd see other names here (Fall, injured Clerc, Malzieu, Rémy Grosso from Castres, Nakaitaci...or even Marc Andreu, Palisson ?)...excited to see what Guitoune can do at the highest level, but I'm obviously not expecting a whole lot in just one match. Huget has never been nearly as good at the wing at int'l level for some reason (as in Toulouse) and I always feel like he's a bit of a liability for us, though he's not really entirely...but would be risky to start Guitoune at the 11. And Médard has always been good at his craft.
* 12-13: Fofana no explanation (though he disappeared on us in tests 2 and 3 in NZ...) and Fritz who had some good breaks against NZ some months ago, and is always tougher than he looks.
* 15: Dulin, I'm hoping will be our regular fullback. This position is ever so important, and he does everything at a good level. We need stability in our lineup, and the 15 should be covered by him I believe. Also he's the one "pure" fullback we have in this selection (Médard, Guitoune and Huget have all played at 15 though really are all wingers).

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Thanks Big Ewis for the very informative post; always interesting to see how the French team are shaping up. PSA just needs to start sticking with a regular 15, injuries and suspensions permitting.

Do you not rate Ouedraogo? PSA seems to rate him over Nyanga.

 

[Big Ewis]

Thanks Big Ewis for the very informative post; always interesting to see how the French team are shaping up. PSA just needs to start sticking with a regular 15, injuries and suspensions permitting.

Do you not rate Ouedraogo? PSA seems to rate him over Nyanga.

that's right.
And about Ouedraogo-Nyanga, I bet gaston has something to say about that
But personally I think Ouedraogo is your classic, int'l level French flanker. Always consistent work on defense, but doesn't offer a whole lot offensively. Nyanga can carry, even score tries on his own, has brutal power and can occasionally break through tackles. I like Nyanga better because he's got that adventurous, atypical side to his game at the flank.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I do agree with that for the most part, but ZeFrenchy does have a soft spot for Parra. In fact, I bet he has a nice wide picture of him naked as his desktop background...

i won't deny that.
My other soft spot of the moment is Flanquart. Already bought this year's dievx du stade

 

[Big Ewis]

i won't deny that.
My other soft spot of the moment is Flanquart. Already bought this year's dievx du stade

...and your XV for the Autumn Tour, may I inquire ?

 

[gaston le gaff]

Knee operation (cartilage) for Thomas Domingo, Clermont reckon he will be out for about a month so France may need to find another replacement.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

...and your XV for the Autumn Tour, may I inquire ?

Same as yours. Maybe Ouedraogo instead of Nyanga, and I'd go for Guitoune and one of Médard/Huget.

At loosehead prop... I don't really rate the alternatives, but will have to go for Forestier over Ben Arous/Barcella/Watremez. Anyone has seen how the young'uns are doing this year (Taofifenua the younger, Poirot, etc)?

 

[Big Ewis]

Same as yours. Maybe Ouedraogo instead of Nyanga, and I'd go for Guitoune and one of Médard/Huget.

At loosehead prop... I don't really rate the alternatives, but will have to go for Forestier over Ben Arous/Barcella/Watremez. Anyone has seen how the young'uns are doing this year (Taofifenua the younger, Poirot, etc)?

I agree we'll "just have to do" with those other props. Slimani seems like he can help out at int'l level from what I've seen him do in Paris (Stade).
And no, haven't seen Taofifenua at all...I still wonder about his consistency and form these days.

Knee operation (cartilage) for Thomas Domingo, Clermont reckon he will be out for about a month so France may need to find another replacement.

that suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks...it was a chance to show the Blacks our scrums in France and take advantage, but again just like this past summer we're not full strength in the tight 3.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Knee operation (cartilage) for Thomas Domingo, Clermont reckon he will be out for about a month so France may need to find another replacement.

That's a pity. Adam Jones rates him as the toughest scrummaging loosehead prop he has faced; so was looking forward to seeing him play this November.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Double post.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

damn unlucky