France June 2012

[Melhor Time]

Les Bleus take on Argentina for two tests and are looking to secure a third match, possibly against either Los Pampas XV or Argentina A. Getting an extra match in there would make matters worse for France not better as the first test is going to see France depleted. I doubt players from the Top 14 final will play both Pumas tests. Even those in the Sami Finals will only play two and not a third match even a mid-week one.

June 16 Los Pumas vs Les Bleus Córdoba
June 23 Los Pumas vs Les Bleus Tucumán

One week earlier Argentina play Italy in San Juan. The problem is the Top 14 Final is on the same day. Clermont, the best team in 2012, are likely to feature with probably Toulouse or Toulon being the other. Whoever plays in the final will likely not play in the Córdoba test. Curiously, the youngsters looking really good seem to be Clermont or Toulouse players such as Buttin, Fofana, Lapandry, Kayser, Koze (being poached from the Boks), Galan, Doussain, Maestri, David, Picamoles. France need Clermont and Toulouse to not be the finalists... pretty tough ask! Here is my attempt at picking for the Córdoba match assuming the final is Clermont vs Toulouse:

15 Palisson
14 Huget
13 Bastareaud
12 Mermoz
11 Andreu
10 Trinh-Duc
9 Yachvilli
8 Harinordiquey
7 Burban
6 Ouedraogo
5 Papé
4 Suta
3 Mas
2 Szarzewski
1 Barcella

Tucumán test:

15 Buttin
14 Clerc
13 Rougerie
12 Fofana
11 Palisson
10 Trinh-Duc
9 Parra
8 Picamoles
7 Harinordiquey
6 Dusautoir
5 Papé
4 Maestri
3 Mas
2 Szarzewski
1 Poux

Bonnaire, Nallet and Servat = retired.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

PSA has said that WC players will rest in June, except if they need gametime. So no: Mas, Papé, Dusautoir, Harinordoquy, Yachvili, Trinh-Duc, Rougerie.

Minus the player in the final (as a working hypothesis, let's take Toulouse and Clermont), there are very few left. No one in France is putting too much hope into this tour. Plus, the press keeps saying that Argentina won't present their top side, so it will be mostly used to try players. Here's an attempt to a side with these constraints:

1. Barcella (Domingo is back from injury and not playing for Clermont)
2. Szarszewski
3. Attoub (Ric if not used by ASM, or Ducalcon for a last chance)
4. I can't think of any... maybe the one Toulouse won't be using (Millo, Maestri or Lamboley). Should be the lineout leader.
5. Fakate/De Marco/Taofifenua (only one of these guys, all too heavy an unexperienced to go together)
6. Ouedraogo
7. Diarra/Chouly
8. Lakafia
9. Thomas/Tillous-Borde (I can't find anyone else, but not happy about it)
10. Beauxis/Wisniewski (oh lord...)
11. Palisson
12. Mermoz
13. Bastareaud
14. Huget
15. Lapeyre (I'd like to see him in blue)

So... not much hope for the Argentina B vs. France C match. We'll get destroyed in the scrums.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Hey Melhor, do you have any infos on Felan's plans for June? Is he really planning on a b-side?

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Cheers. I've been trying to figure out what kind of side Argentina will present against France, but the french press keep coming up with this "Argentina prioritizing the 4N" story. Anyway, a side of

1. Ayerza
2. Creevy
3. Figallo
4. Carizza
5. Albacete
6. Fernandez Lobbe
7. Leguizamon
8. Senatore
9. Figuerola
10. Fernandez
11. Imhoff
12. Martinez Gurruchaga
13. Bosch
14. Camacho
15. Gonzalez Amorosino

Sounds just scary... That depends on JMFL recovering, and I'm not too sure about Senatore (maybe someone from Pampas?). Also, I don't know if Roncero and Contepomi will make themselves available, or if Tiesi and JMH will be recovered. Also, maybe Bustos Moyano deserves a call up. He's a decent winger and his goal kicking would definitely improve Argentina's effectiveness.
Also, I don't know much about the argentines playing in England or for Pampas XV (Mieres, Urdapilleta, Agulla, are they getting gametime?)

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I saw this team posted on a french forum. It mentions a lot of new caps, so I think it's interesting more as a hypothetical exercise than as an actual predicition of the touring side. Credits to Spocky72:

Piliers
David ATTOUB, 07/06/81, St Français, 1m83 113 kgs. 1 selec
Vincent DEBATY, 02/10/81, AS Clermont, 1m91 127 kgs. 2 selec
Luc DUCALCON, 02/01/84, Castres Ol, 1m83 118 kgs. 11 selec
Yannick FORESTIER, 02/01/82, Castres Ol, 1m81 110 kgs. 0 selec
*Attoub sera ops dans quinze jours, Ducalcon même si il a fait le coupe du monde a très peu joué, Forestier reste une valeur sure. Meme si Domingo fait la fin de saison avec l'ASM, il serait peut être judicieux de le laisser de bien préparer la saison prochaine"


Talonneurs
Benjamin KAYSER, 26/07/84, AS Clermont Au, 1m82 110 kgs. 9 selec
Guilhem GUIRADO, 17/06/86, Racing Métro, 1m83 104 kgs. 15 selec
Christopher TOLOFUA, 31/12/93, Racing Métro, 1m82 118 kgs. 0 selec
*Trois talonneurs comme la configuration coupe du monde, Guirado est dans le même cas que Ducalcon, et le jeune Tolofua est un extra-terrestre"


2°Lignes
Aliki FAKATE, 26/11/85, Montpellier HR, 2m01 131 kgs. 0 selec
Yoan MAESTRI, 14/11/88, Toulouse, 2m01 121 kgs. 5 selec
Romain TAOFIFUENUA, 14/09/90, USA Perpignan, 2m00 130 kgs. 0 selec
Christophe SAMSON, 01/03/84, RC Toulon, 2m00 111 kgs. 0 selec
*Maestri a fait un gros tournoi , Fakaté reviens fort avec Montpellier, Samson est l'un des secondes lignes les plus utilisés du Rct excusez du peu !; et au meme ***re que Tolofua, Taofifuenua est un extra terrestre, il est fait des matchs énormes avec l'USAP...


3°lignes ailes
Bertrand GUIRY, 30/07/88; USA Perpignan, 1m92 102 kgs. 0 selec
Alexandre LAPANDRY, 13/04/89, AS Clermont Au, 1m94 102 kgs. 6 selec
Wenceslas LAURET, 28/03/89; Biarritz Ol, 1m88 102 kgs. 1 selec
Yannick NYANGA, 19/12/83, St Toulousain, 1m87 102 kgs. 25 selec (C)
* Lapandry est énorme en ce moment, il marche sur les traces de Mr Bonnaire en évolant dans le même registre. Lauret malgré la mauvaise saison du BO est partout et plaque à tour de bras, tout comme Guiry qui est très complet et couvre énormément de terrain. Nyanga est lui exceptionnel avec Toulouse.


3°lignes centres
Damien CHOULY, 27/11/85, USA Perpignan, 1m92 109 kgs. 4 selec
Gillian GALAN, 07/08/91, St Toulousain, 1m93 120 kgs. 0 selec
*Deux styles différents, Chouly plus trieur et technique et Galan tout en puissance. Le jeune toulousain si il améliore sa condition physique sera le grand 8 de demain".


1/2 de mêlée
Julien DUPUY, 19/12/83, Paris SF, 1m78 78 kgs. 6 selec
Jean-Marc DOUSSAIN, 12/02/91, St Toulousain, 1m74 90 kgs. 0 selec
*Dupuy s'est loupé avec les bleus contre l'angleterre, mais il fait une très bonne saison. Doussain moins en vue que la saison dernière reste un joueur proté capable de jouer aux deux postes de la charnière''.


1/2 d'ouverture
Lionel BEAUXIS, 24/10/85, St Toulousain, 1m80 89 kgs. 15 selec
Perre BERNARD, 31/01/89, Castres Ol, 1m87 90 kgs. 0 selec
*"Beauxis n'a pas été trop à son avantage, mais est il le seul fautif ? En tout cas, il est excellent avec Toulouse. Bernard a juste 23 ans, il est solide, et a un coup de pied de mamouth...En ce moment, je trouve que Wiesniewski est en souffrance.''


3/4 centres
Yann DAVID, 14/04/88, St Toulousain, 1m85 105 kgs. 4 selec
Florian FRITZ, 27/01/84, St Toulousain, 1m78 97 kgs. 18 selec
Wesley FOFANA, 20/01/88, AS Clermont Au, 1m78 92 kgs. 0 selec
Julien REY, 1/09/86, Un Bordeaux Bègles, 1m90 105 kgs. 0 selec
"*David, Fofana, et Mr Fritz, sont ce qui se fait de mieux comme centres dans le top 14, et Rey est impressionnant ! Depuis le début de la saison il est exceptionnel et contre Toulouse, il leur a fait les pires misères."


3/4 Aile
Jean-Marcelin BUTTIN, 16/12/91, AS Clermont Au, 1m92 95 kgs. 1 selec
Julien MALZIEU, 04/05/83, AS Clermont Au, 1m93 100 kgs. 19 selec
Romain MARTIAL, 13/11/84, Castres Ol, 1m95 105 kgs. 0 selec
*"ç'est grand, c'est lourd, mais ça va très vite...''


Arrières
Gaëtan GERMAINL, 02/07/90, Racing, 1m87 100 kgs. 0 selec
Clément POITRENAUD, 20/05/82, St Toulousain, 1m88 92 kgs. 47 selec
''*Poitrenaud a fait une bonne fin de tournoi, tandis que Germain fait de très bonnes parties avec le Racing.''

Players not included in the last WC.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Yeah, that's more like the "candidates" for the transition. Though, it's likely the touring side will have no players from the WC, so no major results expected. Might be something like:

1. Domingo (Barcella, Forestier)
2. Guirado
3. Attoub
4. Maestri (somebody else...)
5. Taofifenua
6. Ouedraogo
7. Nyanga (Lauret)
8. Lapandry (Lakafia)
9. Dupuy
10. Beauxis (Lopez, Wiswniewski)
11. Malzieu (O'Connor)
12. Fofana (Mermoz)
13. Fritz (Bastareaud)
14. Huget
15. Poitrenaud (Lapeyre)

As you see, I change my mind every five minutes... Anyway, in parentheses the alternatives to the Toulouse and ASM players.

 

[Melhor Time]

Hey Melhor, do you have any infos on Felan's plans for June? Is he really planning on a b-side?

Tati (Santiago Phelan) has said in interviews that he is going to use a lot of players in June but is not going to field a B side. In other words, Argentina will rotate players in June for the three tests with nobody playing in more than 2. He has said that it will be a combination of the best players from Los Pampas XV and those in France and England. He has also sais he will be keeping the players interests top of the list so that they can return to club duty in October not having been burned out from playing non-stop for Argentina.

In translation - it´ll be a 45 man squad for the years tests.

What is different in 2012 is that finally Argentina willk have time together and not just be thrown together on a Tuesday with the first match taking place on the Saturday. There will be rotating as there really has to be as its not overly easy to know who is the best player in each position. Take wing for example. Agulla is the best Leicester winger this season. A finalists for player of the year at the club. Camacho in the same comp has been not scoring tries but has been helping a lower table side break into the Heineken Cup. Of the two its safe to say Agulla is the one on form. But the two were the starting wingers at the World Cup. In France there is Bustos Moyano and Imhoff both on fine form. Both ahead of Carballo clearly. But comparing them to the two English wingers is not so simple as, despite being Europe, its about two competitions. June will see all four start for Los Pumas.

You can divide the players into three groups:

- certainties for TRC
- probable for TRC
- possible for TRC

From these three a third of each will place in each June test match. This is what Tati has been indicating anyway. Those in the Top 14 playoffs will miss the Italian test. In which case maybe 6 Pampas players will start vs Italy. I would say between 3 and 5 will. But the three categories is useful as each has 15 players to complete the 45 man squad. Therefore we are really taking about three teams which will be merged together due to there being seven reserves per match. Those in the Top 14 Final will only play in the second French test. Those in the Semi´s can play both or one + Italy. Same for those in the Top 14 Barrage and the Aviva Premiership Final. From the English players those who could feature in the final are only five (Saracens, Quins, Leicester, Northampton and Exeter). Of the other seven clubs none are going to qualify for the Semi´s. The players from these clubs are Urdapilleta, Vallejos, Agulla, Ayerza, Camacho and Mieres. Therefore at most half will play vs Italy.

Bustos Moyano will start vs France in Córdoba for the simple reason that he is from Córdoba and anyone who likes rugby and is from there can´t stop talking about him!

I´d dare suggest that Roncero will lead the team vs Italy and do so so that Fernández Lobbe can play both French tests and be the captain.

I´d also dare to suggest that there will be two props on the bench for some of these matches.

Also players will be used out of position in some cases. P. Duck said Agulla at 13 may well happen. I agree another possibility for 13 is Fernández who was used tehre for quite a while for Hindú. Tiesi won´t start a match but should make the bench at least once. He is in the final stages of rehab now in Paris.

Sticking to the view of a Clermont vs Toulouse final I´d put forward the following team lists:

vs Italy

15 Amorosino
14 Bustos Moyano
13 Agulla
12 Fernández
11 Imhoff
10 Hernández
9 Figuerola
8 Leo Senatore
7 Leguizamón
6 Tomy de la vega
5 Mariano Galarza
4 Carizza
3 Goméz Kodela
2 Creevy
1 Roncero (Captain)

16 Bruno Postiglioni, 17 Juan Figallo, 18 Tomás Vallejos, 19 Julio Fariás, 20 Tomás Cubelli, 21 Ignacio Mieres, 22 Martín Rodríguez

vs France (Córdoba left, Tucumán right)

15 Amorosino, Rodríguez
14 Bustos Moyano, Camacho
13 Bosch, Tiesi
12 Rodríguez, Fernández
11 Imhoff, Agulla
10 Hernández, Mieres
9 Figuerola, Vergallo
8 Fernández Lobbe, Fernández Lobbe
7 Leguizamón, Alvaro Galindo
6 Julio Fariás, Farias
5 Galarza, Albacete
4 Tomás Vallejos, Carizza
3 Figallo, Nahul Tetaz Chaparro
2 Creevy, Postiglioni
1 Marcos Ayerza, Ayerza

Córdoba: 16 Bruno Postiglioni,17 Kodela,18 Carizza,19 Senatore,20 Cubelli,21 Fernández,22 Camacho

Tucumán: 16 Emiliano Coria,17 Figallo,18 Maximilano Bustos,19 Tomás Leonardí,20 Martín Landajo,21 Hernández,22 Imhoff

Purple = Pampas XV
Blue = Top 14
Red = Aviva Premiership

would be pretty stupid to play a reserve side, these matches are important to get morale and confidence higher for the Rugby Championship, and also get the first team getting plenty of game time together, something that has been a disadvantage to the Pumas in the past

on the scale of Marc Lievremont humongous team changing, and Declan Kidney hardly ever changing, I would put Phelan on the Kidney side of selections

Pretty useful comparison to Kidney.

The morale is not too much of a worry. The players are buzzing. Many talking about it on twitter, yes the players.... The country and team are really keen on TRC. Leo Senatore, for instance, is happy to be back in South Africa with Los Pampas XV as he will be playing more regularly than at Toulon and getting himself better prepares for international duty. Gabriel Ascarate was reported, I didn´t see it myself, to have said he is glad to be in the Vodacom Cup now and not at Bayonne sitting on the bench at best.

Amorosino was dropped for Camacho in 2011 despite being good for the Pumas in 2010 because he was not getting game time with Leicester whilst Camacho was with Harlequins, which was fair enough, but when it became clear after the World Cup match against Romania he wasn't playing at Leicester because Richard Cockerill was simply blind to his abilities and not because he was playing poorly, he should have been fitted back into the side at full back but Phelan left him out, thankfully for the Pumas though he came off the bench against Scotland and won the match but still it was not enough for Phelan to start him in the quarter final

True, but not entirely. Camacho had never been dropped. He was the starting winger in June 2009 then missed November as he got injured for the Harlequins. He returned in November 2010 to be the starting 14 (instead of 11) with Amorosino tried at 11. Agulla had been the 15 in 2009 and then Rodríguez in 2010. Agulla was guaranteed a World Cup spot so Phelan used the 2010 tests to find two others. Carballo being the one left out as Camacho and Amorosino both performed. ... cont below

also Imhoff had a phenomenal breakout year, leading try scorer for the Pampas XV, and had just saved Argentina after a poor performance from a possible defeat by scoring two good tries, one which was particularly special against Worcester, it was clear he should have been put into the side, but Phelan just went for the conservative option and instead left him on the bench right up until the end of the World Cup despite good cameos against Romania, England and Georgia

cont from above... Imhoff then came along to be the third winger and made his debut vs a Tier One side vs Wales in August 2011. With Imhoff included Amorosino was considered 15 and with no Carballo there was a weakness at 13 as none of the wingers are notable options for 13, unlike Carballo. As such Bosch was selected more as a 12-13 than a 10-12 and Rodríguez as a 15-12 rather than just a 15.

another one is he continued to select Alfredo Lalanne despite having a poor series of matches against Scotland in 2010 and not getting a game for London Irish, I still have no idea why Phelan went for Lalanne rather than Figuerola who was very unlucky not to go to the World Cup, even an Argentina based scrum half like Landajo would have been better than Lalanne

My guess is he felt Lalanne was closer to Vergallo, which he is in terms of style and saw this as better rather than taking a different kind of scrumhalf. IN any event I don´t think he´ll be a Puma again - not while playing for London Scottish.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Did Contepomi resign?

 

[Melhor Time]

Did Contepomi resign?

No - but Tati is giving him the choice and Contepomi has said the Pumas are going to be placed before him. He´ll play if he is needed but he prefers to give the next generation the ball now. I doubt he´ll play in June unless there are injury concerns to two of JMH, Mieres and Bosch. He should play in at least 2 matches in TRC however but for June I think he´ll not feature given his extensive season sith Stade Français.

Phelan was too conservative in World Cup selection, he should have put Amorosino into the side after the performance against Romania, and put Imhoff in after his form for the Pampas XV and in the warm up matches against the CONSUR XV and Worcester, he should have taken more gambles

and from what I've seen of the Pampas XV, Cubelli has been a standout player, he deserves to be in the squad at least

I agree but Agulla and Camacho were both coming off great seasons in England. Imhoff just making the squad was, in itself, a gamble. As it has turned out it was a jackpot!

Cubelli should make the cut like you say he is perfoming. He´s ahead of Landajo now.

 

[welshglory]

they should just make the two prop on the bench rule into international rugby, about time it was introduced in my opinion

Unfortunately that won't happen unless SANZAR start using it in Super rugby

 

[Melhor Time]

A bit of a shock, thoug I wouldn´t pick him myself, is the retirement of scumhalf Alfredo Lalanne. He is only 29 but is quitting rugby to work for the Deutsch Bank in London.

 

[welshglory]

He's playing for London Scottish so is probably getting a rubbish salary, smart decision to get his post rugby career up and running imo

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Good indicator. More because of the players it rules out rather than because of major surprises. From those, Papé and Swar are pretty sure not to go, as they need rest. Synaeghel would be a major surprise if included, same as Dupont.
Of the pairs Lauret/Guyot, O'Connor/Planté, Dulin/Michel and some others, I see at most one going. Slimani main earn his sopt on polyfunctionality (last internationals with only one prop on the bench, btw) over Watremez. Guillamon may go, but PSA may give Ducalcon another chance. Taking into account the players in the top 6 that won't be left resting, I'd guess a squad like this:

Hookers: Guirado, Kayser. Servat's retirement, and Swar's likely rest, leave these two, plus Tolofua, Ivaldi, Rallier, Orioli. I think the former needs to stay and work on his lineout throwing (he's freaking 18 ffs) and the oher three are not as good as the two I mentioned.
Props: Attoub, Domingo (perfect for a comeback, one TH an one LH), two out of Watremez/Ben Arous/Forestier (Looseheads), Ducalcon/Guillamon (Tightheads) and Slimani/Montès (play both sides). I think that 23-man squads from november plays againt Montès, as polyfunctionality is his main advantage and he's not too young. Slimani should specialize from next season, but may go on this tour as he's only 21. Two specialist looseheads seems unlikely, so I think Ducalcon and Slimaniwill get to go. Each should play 80 minutes, and one of the young looseheads should tour as injury cover.
Locks: Pierre and Papé will rest. Toulon's Samson is 28 and there are younger locks that are as good, so I don't see the point. De Macro and Taofifenua are very young and have similar profile. Logically, only one would tour, but we may see the second one touring for the experience. Fakaté has to go, it's now or never. Flanquart is too young, and not as good as the others his age. Maestri should go to tighten his grip on the post, but the calendar may play against him. I think Millo-Chlusky should get minutes under PSA as well.
Backrowers: Nyanga should make his comeback after an outstanding season. Ouedraogo should go to become a leader for the future. Lapandry has earned a comeback, and is still very young. Lakafia has not been impressive, Picamoles will rest. Chouly may get a chance, and the fifth spot could go to one of Battut/Diarra/Gunther. I'd like to see Gunther. Galan needs to get fitter before being tried internationally.
Scrumhalves: For the 9 and 10, we should take an experienced one and a young one. Dupuy will go based on risk aversion, and one out of Tillous-Borde/Machenaud/Cazenave. Doussain hasn't played much so he won't be going. I think Tillous-Borde should get a chance.
Flyhalves: Plisson didnt play enough (probably from next year he will). Beauxis will play, and the other one will be Lopez or Bernard. I'd go for Bernard.
Centres: Mermoz will rest, and we may not see Rougerie in blue again. Fofana is sure if the calendars fit, and the others should be Fritz and David. Potential calendar problems should keep Doumayrou, Chavancy and Estebanez on the radar.
Outside backs: Huget is likely to get another chance. Palisson, Buttin and Lapeyre could complete the group.


Squads could go like this:
1st test:
1. Slimani
2. Kayser
3. Attoub
4. Maestri
5. Fakaté
6. Ouedraogo
7. Nyanga
8. Chouly
9. Dupuy
10. Bernard
11. Palisson
12. Fofana
13. Fritz
14. Huget
15. Buttin

16. Guirado
17. Domingo
18. Taofifenua
19. Lapandry
20. Tillous-Bordes
21. Beauxis
22. David

2nd test:
1. Domingo
2. Guirado
3. Ducalcon
4. Millo-Chlusky
5. Taofifenua
6. Ouedraogo
7. Gunther
8. Lapandry
9. Tillous-Borde
10. Beauxis
11. Palisson
12. David
13. Fritz
14. Huget
15. Lapeyre

16. Kayser
17. Slimani
18. Maestri
19. Nyanga
20. Dupuy
21. Bernard
22. Fofana

 

[Cave Dweller]

Frances omen Argentina. France have been a great help with Argentina's rugby development. We have been assisting them as well and it is great that they have been entered in the Tri Nations which makes up the Championship. The Pampas play in our Voda cup and last year they won it. They were knocked in the quarters this time by Griquas who are the finalist this year with WP but I am sure since 90 percent of the Pampas squad were new players they gained a lot of experience and will be back stronger next year. Tomás Cubelli i has been one of the teams players to stand up in the Vodacom Cup.

I think like the Argies are going to do to us what they have done to the French and that is thanking us for the development and beat us as well. Also that the venue for November´test match between France and Argentina will be the first ever rugby test at the brand new Grand Stade Lille Métropole in Lille.

Los Pumas International Fixtures 2012

June Home Matches
June 09 Argentina vs Italy
June 16 Argentina vs France
June 23 Argentina vs France

The Rugby Championship
August 18 South Africa vs Argentina, Cape Town
August 25 Argentina vs South Africa
September 08 New Zealand vs Argentina, Wellington
September 15 Australia vs Argentina, Gold Coast
September 29 Argentina vs New Zealand
October 06 Argentina vs Australia

November European Tour
November 10 Wales vs Argentina
November 17 France vs Argentina
November 24 Ireland vs Argentina

Marcos Ayerza,
Juan Manuel Leguizamón,
Lucas González Amorosino,
Marcelo Bosch
Agustín Creevy
Juan Martín Hernández
Martín Bustos Moyano
Leonardo Senatore
Rodrigo Roncero
Gonzalo Camacho
Patricio Albacete
Horacio Agulla
Juan Figallo
Santiago Fernández
Tomás Cubelli
Marcos Ayerza
Manuel Carizza

They got 4 inform wingers. Depth at flyhalf. Its only the centers thats a bit of a weak spot as Bosch play better at flyhalf. Tiessi is there but the 12 spot will be the interesting to see who gets that opening.

 

[Melhor Time]

Frances omen Argentina. France have been a great help with Argentina's rugby development. We have been assisting them as well and it is great that they have been entered in the Tri Nations which makes up the Championship. The Pampas play in our Voda cup and last year they won it. They were knocked in the quarters this time by Griquas who are the finalist this year with WP but I am sure since 90 percent of the Pampas squad were new players they gained a lot of experience and will be back stronger next year. Tomás Cubelli i has been one of the teams players to stand up in the Vodacom Cup.

I think like the Argies are going to do to us what they have done to the French and that is thanking us for the development and beat us as well. Also that the venue for November´test match between France and Argentina will be the first ever rugby test at the brand new Grand Stade Lille Métropole in Lille.

Los Pumas International Fixtures 2012

June Home Matches
June 09 Argentina vs Italy
June 16 Argentina vs France
June 23 Argentina vs France

The Rugby Championship
August 18 South Africa vs Argentina, Cape Town
August 25 Argentina vs South Africa
September 08 New Zealand vs Argentina, Wellington
September 15 Australia vs Argentina, Gold Coast
September 29 Argentina vs New Zealand
October 06 Argentina vs Australia

November European Tour
November 10 Wales vs Argentina
November 17 France vs Argentina
November 24 Ireland vs Argentina

Juan Manuel Leguizamón,
Lucas González Amorosino,
Marcelo Bosch
Agustín Creevy
Juan Martín Hernández
Martín Bustos Moyano
Leonardo Senatore
Rodrigo Roncero
Gonzalo Camacho
Patricio Albacete
Horacio Agulla
Juan Figallo
Santiago Fernández
Tomás Cubelli
Marcos Ayerza
Manuel Carizza

They got 4 inform wingers. Depth at flyhalf. Its only the centers thats a bit of a weak spot as Bosch play better at flyhalf. Tiessi is there but the 12 spot will be the interesting to see who gets that opening.

Great to see someone is reading my site!

 

[Melhor Time]

I am not concerned about the options for the centres. Both 12 and 13 are covered by players who have been playing in these positions for quality European clubs this season. The concern, as PD points out, is the backrow with not so much depth as would usually be expected. But I am not concerned yet as, overall, the players who will feature have been getting solid game time and seem to be playing to a good standard. Bosch did well as Tiesi´s replacement at the World Cup. Agulla, on form, has to start for Argentina and could very well be used at 13 in June given the options for wing. I´d personally be happy to see it get the go ahead as he has the body for it and the mind.

13 Bosch, Agulla, Tiesi
12 Fernández, Rodríguez, Contepomi

There will be changes with Julio Farías no longer to be a backrower but, rather, a secondrower. Mariano Galarza was Argentina´s reserve secondrower for the World Cup but is out of much, if not all, of 2012 after having shoulder reconstruction surgery. Alvaro Galindo is back for Racing Métro and started the other week while Fernández Lobbe is defeinetly ready for international action after recoving from knee surgery and doing well for Toulon since returning. Leguizamón has played non-stop for Lyon. So these three guys are all tuned up and ready. de la Vega, Senatore and Campos are likely to be the others involved. They are not of the level of Fernández Lobbe but they are all good players.

10 is interesting as Mieres may well start vs Italy with Hernández being rested or maybe even out of action if Racing Métro make the Top 14 Final. Argentina have players to burn at 10 but 9 is different.There are talented players but they are simply not getting sufficient game time.Vergallo has been third choice for Toulouse and Figuerola has been playing regularly for Brive but at the bottom of the Top 14 and the team has been relegated. Landajo and Cubelli are both to feature in June I would suggest.

So there are concerns but the scenario is much better than at the World Cup when Hernández, Tiesi, Contepomi and Fernández Lobbe were missing for all or some of the campaign. At long last, Argentina has a solid calendar and will put it into use this year. Judging Italy´s squad, Argentina can afford to give a number of fringe players a start, Don´t be surprized to see de La Vega start in the backrow, Cubelli at scrumhalf and Mieres at flyhalf.

 

[Melhor Time]

Coaches field players based on their needs.

Aaron Mauger was always a 10 but with Andrew Mehtens in his prime he was used as a 12 and it turned ouit to be gold. Then in 2004 the Crusaders had Carter at 12 and so Mauger was moved to 13. Mirco Bergamasco was 12 for Italy for the same reason and now Carter is back playing 12 too. Not the position but the need of the team.

Bosch is similar to this. he´s been moved around to for the needs of Biarritz. I´m confident that he can step into the Pumas 13 shirt just fine. Similar with Agulla. The guy has played two matches at 13 for Leicester (replacing Tuilagi) but I´m sure he can do the job very well for Argentina.

Incidently...

Tiesi = 92KG
Bosch = 92 KG
Agulla = 90KG

Edit: I liked the chat here and went about using it to argue the case fo Agulla to be the Pumas outside centre. See the link here.

 

[Me 1]

France's squad has been updated. It's not as bad as before but still not quite full strength.
Forwards: David Attoub (Stade Français), Vincent Debaty (Clermont), Antoine Guillamon (Lyon), Yvan Watremez (Biarritz), Christopher Tolofua (Toulouse), Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Français), Yoan Maestri (Toulouse), Christophe Samson (Toulon), Pascal Pape (Stade Français) (capitain) Romain Taofifenua (Perpignan), Alexandre Lapandry (Clermont), Wenceslas Lauret (Biarritz), Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse), Raphael Lakafia (Biarritz).
Backs: Maxime Machenaud (Agen), Morgan Parra (Clermont), Frederic Michalak (Sharks), Francois Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), Geoffrey Doumayrou (Montpellier), Florian Fritz (Toulouse), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Maxime Mermoz (Perpignan), Benjamin Fall (Racing Metro), Romain Martial (Castres), Yoann Huget (Bayonne), Jean Marcellin Buttin (Clermont), Brice Dulin (Agen).

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_7788264,00.html

 

[Tony Manx]

Iin case not fully aware....Yach has had an operation on his knee in Lyon and will not be back for the start of next season.

As regards Bosch, he has indeed played many positions though last season as required by BO and willingly so. He is a good handler of the ball and well capable of making good breaks. My problem with him is over his use of the ball vis a vis other players, his kicking out of hand and his tackling which, although braver than some, is technically not that great.

Incidentally, I understand that the toast at the post Amlin Final banquet centred around the players now being able to smile following the departure of Lagsiquet to the national team...he was not a popular guy and I think he will hold France back rather than assist in taking them forward as I believe is evidenced by the reappearance of Michalak! Talented but like so many like him in the past wholly unreliable and likely to lose as many games as he will win for the team! I await the SA's response with interest...........!!

 

[ZeFrenchy]

It's a decent list. Here are my thoughts:
Props: I'm only concerned about the rotation. None of these guys can play a full match, maybe only Watremez, and none can scrum on both sides. Chosing the bench will be hard. Guillamon has played a grand total of 10 league matches, and only four starting, for a relagated team... I haven't really see him play, but if he's good, it's a right time to teach him a bit. He's only 20 yo.

Hookers: Not what I would have chosen. Szarsewski has had a very long season, I would have left him at home, but I think coaches see this as his chance to make the 2 jersey his own... He's spent too long playing reserve to different players. I'm happy for Tolofua, but I would have thought this was the moment for Kayser.

Locks: For Papé, see my thoughts on Szar. Good call on Maestri and Taofifenua. The former is on time to become one of the team leaders, the latter to start joining. I'm surprised about Samson. The guy is 28, I think that De Marco or Fakaté would have been better ideas.

Backrow: For Picamolesn the same as for Papé and Szar. Happy for Ouedraogo and Lapandry. Lakafia had a horrible season. He's basically only played well on the second half of the 2010-2011 season, and then disappeared, I don't think that merits selection, I think Gallan or Gunther would have been better. Lauret had a mixed season, but he's shown he can be consistently very good, so no problem on that.

Halfbacks: Ok, not much to say.

Fly-halves: Michalak, seriously?

Centres: Mermoz and Fofana were pretty obvious. Fritz is thoroughly deserved. And I like Doumayrou... he's more "classical" than most 13's on the top 14. He gets the point that his job is to run lines to bring defenders together and open spaces for his winger, and not just crush or try to score (Bastareaud, Rougerie, I'm looking at you). Gutted for Yann David though. Another one that was pushing was Chavancy, who is outstanding on defence but lacks some flair.

Outside backs: I'm not a fan of Martial. But good for the rest. I think it's a good idea to give Fall some playing time. He's played two games back from injury and (I've heard, I didn't see the games) he's been looking good.