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[2013 EOYT] France

No Nyanga? Is he injured?

no Ouedraogo, no Picamoles, no Nyanga ! Not sure for Nyanga, they don't seem to specify on the article...Saint-André just seemed to have not wanted the likes of Nyanga, Bastareaud or Guitoune anymore...
This month of November could prove to be....interesting.

But I have a feeling, in the deep back of my subconscious, that we may surprise some people. Because this is France, and we got the Wooden Spoon when at full strength and as favorites for a supposed Grand Slam, we may now surprise some people when expectations are the lowest.
 
Just had Lauret preferred over him. The two flankers that were kept are likely to start, unless one of the 8s is used as a flanker. I don't know much about Lauret though, I'm not really able to watch Racing games without falling asleep after 20 minutes (or Biarritz' last season).
 
Just had Lauret preferred over him. The two flankers that were kept are likely to start, unless one of the 8s is used as a flanker. I don't know much about Lauret though, I'm not really able to watch Racing games without falling asleep after 20 minutes (or Biarritz' last season).

aaaaah, well there you go, they ARE boring, aren't they ?!...haven't analyzed their game plan or anything, but it's been tough to watch them for some time now for me ! :D
Not a big fan of either Paris team....
 
Lauret played beautifully last game I saw him in Paris (week before last?)................

He had a very bad concussion that kept him off the field for three months at the end of last year. I think he can be a super player but is prone, as most 3rd liners, to give away penalties but good carrier and scavenger!
 
Le XV de France:
Dulin - Huget, Fritz, Fofana, Médard - (o) Talès, (m) Parra - Lauret, Chouly, Dusautoir (cap) - Papé, Maestri - Mas, Kayser, Forestier
Remplaçants : Szarzewski, Debaty, Slimani, Vahaamahina, Claassen, Doussain, Lopez, Fickou

Well there we go guys! No surprises there really given the choice we had.
... can't say it inspires too much confidence tho
 
Lauret played beautifully last game I saw him in Paris (week before last?)................

He had a very bad concussion that kept him off the field for three months at the end of last year. I think he can be a super player but is prone, as most 3rd liners, to give away penalties but good carrier and scavenger!

barely know the guy. This is a good opportunity...I'll be watching him.

Le XV de France:
Dulin - Huget, Fritz, Fofana, Médard - (o) Talès, (m) Parra - Lauret, Chouly, Dusautoir (cap) - Papé, Maestri - Mas, Kayser, Forestier
Remplaçants : Szarzewski, Debaty, Slimani, Vahaamahina, Claassen, Doussain, Lopez, Fickou

Well there we go guys! No surprises there really given the choice we had.
... can't say it inspires too much confidence tho 

if we just had Picamoles and Domingo, really...just these two, forget all the rest.
Anyways: not particularly defeatist either, this group can produce some fine Rugby. I really hope those "stages" in fr or exclusive training sessions were good enough. They said it was pretty intensive...
 
Yeah we still have a fighting chance to pull something off
This time last year we were ****ing ourselves hoping Australia wouldn't put 60points past us again but had a brilliant game!
 
Yeah we still have a fighting chance to pull something off 
This time last year we were ****ing ourselves hoping Australia wouldn't put 60points past us again but had a brilliant game!

You're right...France by 20+.


Honestly though, I'm expecting France to have something to show on Saturday, I have faith in them this time. Maybe not a win, but something to be at least a bit relieved about.
After all, the 30-0 test in NZ really stained the entire series because it's a horribly one-sided score, but if ppl would actually pay attention to detail and what really happened, the 1st and 3rd tests were closer than even the rather close final score would suggest.
I insist our trip to NZ this summer really wasn't bad at all.

This could be one step better than test 1 in NZ. We know them well now, and we're at home. Some pride, fellas...show some pride. Come on les bleus.
 
So everyone complains about the "overworked" French teams in the Top 14 yet they are on their first of two holiday weekends (I know that one Bayonne player is in Dubai since immediately after their game last week) this season........................where are Toulouse and Racing this weekend..............why playing a friendly...............where.....................in Hong bleeding Kong!!!

End of over worked french team players argument!!!!!
 
So everyone complains about the "overworked" French teams in the Top 14 yet they are on their first of two holiday weekends (I know that one Bayonne player is in Dubai since immediately after their game last week) this season........................where are Toulouse and Racing this weekend..............why playing a friendly...............where.....................in Hong bleeding Kong!!!

End of over worked french team players argument!!!!!

right. If only it were that simple, man...
 
So everyone complains about the "overworked" French teams in the Top 14 yet they are on their first of two holiday weekends (I know that one Bayonne player is in Dubai since immediately after their game last week) this season........................where are Toulouse and Racing this weekend..............why playing a friendly...............where.....................in Hong bleeding Kong!!!

End of over worked french team players argument!!!!!

This way they get their hols paid for by their respective clubs professional through and through old chap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! most of them had a long weekend booked in Blackpool before the friendly was arranged.
 
This way they get their hols paid for by their respective clubs professional through and through old chap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! most of them had a long weekend booked in Blackpool before the friendly was arranged.

HaHa................you can imagine the discussion in the team room.............where would you like to go on holiday............HongKong is so well known for its beaches and relaxing ambience where we can all be together without the family so why not go there instead of Dubai (which is 5 hour flight time less) with the family..........I understand those nasty Parisiens are going to be there at the same time..................would it not be great if we had a game of rugby.................after all who wants to miss a week without a game!!!!
 
Well today is the day that we either continue having an abysmal year or make a come back in true Frenchie style!

I was thinking last night about how badly we've done this year and how we came last in the 6Nations for the 1st time since 1999! but then I thought 1999 ey?? That's the same year we had that historical 43-31win in the RWC semi-finals against the All Blacks! so I've decided it must be an omen and that history will repeat itself! Strangers things have happened! Allez Les Bleus!
 
Well today is the day that we either continue having an abysmal year or make a come back in true Frenchie style! ��

I was thinking last night about how badly we've done this year and how we came last in the 6Nations for the 1st time since 1999! �� but then I thought 1999 ey?? That's the same year we had that historical 43-31win in the RWC semi-finals against the All Blacks! �� so I've decided it must be an omen and that history will repeat itself! Strangers things have happened! �� Allez Les Bleus! ����

That is getting pretty desperate when you start looking for omens. I remember England football team constantly doing that; until we realised our players were just crap and no amount of searching for omens was going to help.:D

Good luck to Les Bleus anyway, if any one team can pull off a one off astounding performance, it is them. They do have the talent, but I would be much more confident as a French fan if the game was played in Marseille rather than Paris. Paris is not the fortress that teams fear and inspires Les Bleus.
 
Well today is the day that we either continue having an abysmal year or make a come back in true Frenchie style! 

I was thinking last night about how badly we've done this year and how we came last in the 6Nations for the 1st time since 1999!  but then I thought 1999 ey?? That's the same year we had that historical 43-31win in the RWC semi-finals against the All Blacks!  so I've decided it must be an omen and that history will repeat itself! Strangers things have happened!  Allez Les Bleus! 

That's right. I feel like we're going to war today, I woke up with that weird feeling in my heart...and that 43-31 semi-final was seriously beyond miraculous. There's no way in hell it ever should have come close to happening if you think about the context and outcome...easily the greatest upset in Rugby history with no hesitation whatsoever, and probably more.
And yes, as that dyckhead Karl Marx would suggest, history seems to repeat itself but I don't know if I'd flirt with numerology !...but I do have a gut feeling we'll come close again.
Vive la France. Les Bleus, give us something to be proud of.
 
So close! 

Almost extra-ordinary, but "just" excellent I'd say. I'm very tranquil over this tbh. All I could ever ask from my XV de France is that they make me proud and play somewhat to their ability...that's all.
I'm sleeping good tonight. :)
 
France were better but you have to give credit to the ALL BLACKS every time they get the ball they are dangerous there are always 2 players on the shoulders of the ball carrier, they are at their best and are going to be difficult to beat by anyone.
 
France were better but you have to give credit to the ALL BLACKS every time they get the ball they are dangerous there are always 2 players on the shoulders of the ball carrier, they are at their best and are going to be difficult to beat by anyone.

The work at the breakdown was close to monumental. Constantly working on those rucks with great intensity, the whole 80min, never let down once, and that's all it may have taken for the excellent All-Blacks to retaliate with a lightning counter. McCaw looked practically non-existent in there, and we weren't bothered by his usual ruses. I'm just so glad our loosies came through in such a way.

The thing now is to keep selecting the right guys. With the return of Picamoles at 8, I think Lauret is a must from now on, I had no idea he was that incisive. What work....what work...
Dusautoir has little left in the tank anymore, and alas, it is probably best for the Dark Destroyer to hang his bleus shirt soon in the locker room.

And I'm not sold at all on those two "Spring cocks" we have at loose forward...
 
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