2014 Six Nations: France vs England (Round 1)

[Patchey]

No surprises really, probably the strongest team we could put out considering the current EPS, form and injuries. Barritt on the bench at least covers us in the centres but I can't see Burrell feeling to great because its blindingly obvious that if he cocks up Barritt is there to take his place on the pitch. Really happy to see Care back, hopefully he can get some confidence from this and start to play at his best again. Pack is strong, hope Attwood gets a good 25/30 minutes not just the customary end of the game cameo. Thomas can stay on the bench for all I care.

Bring on game day!

 

[lynam1104]

Looks like the best england backline in a while, excited to see how their new guys go.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I hope that Courtney can reconvene his systematic annihilation of all things half-back in this game.

 

[Big Ewis]

Well here it is The Official XV de France for Sat opener against England, no FTD but 9 Doussain and 10 Plisson, happy with that even though very disappointed for FTD. The rest is pretty much as expected, hopefull enough to bien cuit Les Rosbifs
Le XV de départ: Dulin ; Huget, Bastareaud, Fofana, Médard ; (o) Plisson, (m) Doussain ; Le Roux, Picamoles, Nyanga ; Papé (cap), Flanquart ; Mas, Kayser, Domingo.
Les remplaçants: Szarzewski, Forestier, Slimani, Maestri, Burban, Chouly, Machenaud, Fickou

yup. Terribly sorry for your beloved TD not playing but tactically Plisson is quite similar. Haven't seen much of the latter...but what's been said about him and things I've seen, he's one promising young fella. But man, playing England with a rookie 10 ??...we'll see. He says himself he shouldn't hesitate, and play the Rugby he knows he can play. Saint-André has said "gotta start one day (may as well be now)".

Flanquart preferred to Maestri for his lineout ability. We'll want to counter the rosbifs there and Flanquart is lighter, a bit more aerial/airborne.

Saint-André has said about this match we needed to be as aggressive as possible without giving away silly penalties. In 2013 we gave some foolish ones away, and often the 6points made the whole difference.
He's used the following words as well: we need to be "audacious, show generosity, discipline and lots of aggressiveness". Encouraging to read that, hopefully we actually finally deploy that backline and show more than just fine intent on attack....if not the first match, then later in the tournament.

 

[ratsapprentice]

In the RFU interview, Lancaster explained two things:

1. Burrell will probably be used at 12 on the crash.

2. Mako will probably come on early in the second half (I'm assuming that means 50-55min mark).

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Why.
Do.
I.
Have.
To.
Work.
Tomorrow.


AFAEOGIHAEOIGHSKJDGHOESIGHSOEIGHSRHSREGS

 

[j'nuh]

My main disappointment is that it's a relatively weak bench we've got there. Barritt-Goode aren't exactly the replacements to bring on if you need a bit of magic to win the game... and Thomas isn't good enough and Morgan is relatively out of form (would have gone Kvesic).

 

[ratsapprentice]

Barritt and Goode are there as a safety net in case Burrell swims like a brick.

I think Burrell has the potential to be a good player... the actual chances of him fulfilling that potential are quite narrow IMO.

 

[Big Ewis]

Very interesting bit right here from an article on PR. It sums it up, simply: English work ethic VS French:


"I arrive early to training at Toulon, before almost everyone else, but not early enough to beat Jonny there," Bastareaud told the Telegraph.

"You see what he does and you can only admire it. You know, here in France, we can be a bit lazy. If we get something to 100 per cent, that is enough. We switch off, have a coffee, enjoy the moment.

"These guys, like Jonny, like Matt Giteau [the former Australia back], they reach their goal and then go for more. It is not enough for them. They want to go beyond. That is the Anglo-Saxon way.

"That is now my way. I am more aware these days, more mature. I was a little boy before. Everything came so quickly, too quickly. "

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16022_9139890,00.html

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Just the thought of Bastareaud and Fofana running angles down that 13 channel....
They'll be smart enough not to run directly at Burrell as he's a big enough lump to put down most players, but making him move around that channel....
I hope 36, May, Nowell and Brown are on their toes to track back.

 

[Big Ewis]

Just the thought of Bastareaud and Fofana running angles down that 13 channel....

oooh yeah, I know, terriiffyyyyiiiing.......

I love those pre-match situations where one opponent keeps praising the other side and then he ends up winning, and with little surprise

Again, this match is up to the French to grab. Either rookie Plisson's first cap is a unanimous success, France run rampant, the more time together thing pays off immediately, all is well yayyyyyyyyy or we lose this and the questions continue pouring in: "how the HELL did we go for a rookie 10, fly-half is too important of a position ! What was PSA thinking playing all those forwards and just one flyhalf the whole match ?! And what was that FTD call-up then, for decoration ?!! He should've been the man, he's got 48 caps and knows how England play ! Médard is a waste of space at wing, and we have tons of other better options there ! Doussain+Plisson is the 10th half-back combination under PSA, what were we thinking !! rrraaaaaaa !!!!!!"

 

[ratsapprentice]

Just so that the French guys are aware: our outside centre, Burrell is an inside centre and his defensive positioning is liable to be kak.
Fofana and Bastareaud could have a field day.

So much so that Barritt (who can only play in the centres) is taking up the utility back slot on the bench just in case that happens.

 

[Big Ewis]

Just so that the French guys are aware: our outside centre, Burrell is an inside centre and his defensive positioning is liable to be kak.
Fofana and Bastareaud could have a field day.

So much so that Barritt (who can only play in the centres) is taking up the utility back slot on the bench just in case that happens.

you perfidious s.o.b.....trying to give us more hope and make us confident, the higher the fall the better huh ?! WELL WE'RE NOT BUYING INTO THIS CRAP !! We'll lose on purpose just to prove a point !!!

 

[French TommyGun]

Well here it is The Official XV de France for Sat opener against England, no FTD but 9 Doussain and 10 Plisson, happy with that even though very disappointed for FTD. The rest is pretty much as expected, hopefull enough to bien cuit Les Rosbifs

Moi je prefère mon rosbif saignant!
Holly crap I've just seen a photo of Plisson! He hasn't hit puberty yet has he!?
All those things you were kind of joking about Ewis are also my genuine concerns! Why are we trying out not only a new uncapped pre-pubescent fly half, but ANOTHER new half back combination!?? Not just for this match but only a year away from the World Cup?!! it scares me man! And whiles we're on the subject of Medard being useless... he is bloody useless isn't he!?? I can't remember the last time he did anything good for France!
Pessimistic rant over...
I do feel like we'll win in Paris on Saturday but it won't be by more and it won't be pretty!! It's going to be a hard and bloody uphill forward battle! so it is probably best we have and extra forward

 

[Toby Sweeney]

Not agreeing this is the best back line for a while, May is just not a top class player and will get smashed if he continues to run across the field like he always seems to, although I do think this is the best wing combination possible with the injuries. Barritt should 100% of been starting, his defence against Basteraud and Fofana would of been vital and I just think Burrell will let England down in that regard, better to bring him on later under less pressure!

 

[Maverick1987]

Had we got Dave Wilson on the bench our sub forwards would be immensely powerful and a handful .

Could see an up of intensity similar to last year in the final quarter

 

[ratsapprentice]

http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/6-nat...-nowell-lors-du-crunch_sto4114907/story.shtml


lel

 

[Maverick1987]

http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/6-nat...-nowell-lors-du-crunch_sto4114907/story.shtml


lel

Jordan Turner-Hall ????

 

[Big Ewis]

Moi je prefère mon rosbif saignant! 
Holly crap I've just seen a photo of Plisson! He hasn't hit puberty yet has he!? 
All those things you were kind of joking about Ewis are also my genuine concerns! Why are we trying out not only a new uncapped pre-pubescent fly half, but ANOTHER new half back combination!?? Not just for this match but only a year away from the World Cup?!!  it scares me man! And whiles we're on the subject of Medard being useless... he is bloody useless isn't he!?? I can't remember the last time he did anything good for France! 
Pessimistic rant over...
I do feel like we'll win in Paris on Saturday but it won't be by more and it won't be pretty!! It's going to be a hard and bloody uphill forward battle!  so it is probably best we have and extra forward

Ah, pas mal celle-là !! (not bad this one)
Not just Plisson struggling to grow pubes and more than three hairs on his chin, but Doussain hasn't ever started for us and has just about 5 caps for us. Plus his surname sort of means "soft boob".
It shouldn't be scary though, rest assured. Plisson is one pro motherfkr, he's got that Northern/Parisian calmness and precision, and doesn't seem intimidated by this (according to interviews).
And Doussain is one hell of a talent. He's very smart, already very mature, plays very fast out of the rucks...but you know that since you're a ST fan too..

Médard is a good opportunistic winger. He finishes plays off nicely, has good pace and good technique/footwork. But he's not Jonah Lomu so he won't tackle a forward into touch or run over props in his run. 180cm, 90kg not a girlie either. He's no Guitoune or B. Fall though who can create on their own without counting on good team attacking structure...huge loss, Guitoune, no doubt...
Many French fans consider he's a more effective FB than he is a wing. They're probably right, but to think he's a bad int'l wing is an extreme. But do we have better in France atm, yes we do. He's just a regular, and we need chemistry so it's good we're keeping him in the absence of Guitoune right now.

And FTD-Plisson might be the future of the XV de France, and our saving grace come 2015, so don't worry, just enjoy the ride in Feb and March

 

[Maverick1987]

I think France will win by 5 or so

Too many new faces for us (good thing)

May just be a bridge too far