French squad for summer tests

[Stillknox]

Backs : Clerc, Heymans, Médard, Palisson, Rougerie, Bastareaud, Jauzion, Fritz, Mermoz, Skrela, Trinh-Duc, Dupuy, Parra.
Forwards : Bonnaire, Dusautoir, Harinordoquy, Ouedraogo, Picamoles, Chabal, Papé, Nallet, Millo-Chluski, Guirado, Servat, Szarzewski, Barcella, Domingo, Marconnet, Mas.


Newcomer: Dupuy.

Returns: Clerc, Rougerie, Skrela, Papé, Servat, Guirado.

Significative absents: Beauxis, Baby, Traille, Malzieu, Yachvili, Elissalde, Michalak, Kayser...

Injured: Tillous Bordes.

Lievremont is always surprising, after telling that Skrela was too old he's back instead of Beauxis, maybe because he will be more fresh with all the injuries he had this season. Traille disappear after a convincing 6 Nations and some good performances with Biarritz. Julien Dupuy from Leicester make his first apperance after his outstanding season.

 

[melon]

As long as Chabal is there, all is well.

 

[dundeesmiffy]

This should be interesting, nobody else in the NH is really bringing all there top players because of the Lions obv. I think this is a "see what I can do without" situation for Lievremont.

 

[elgringoborracho]

Squad looks good on papaer, all on-form players. Disappointed Beauxis isn't there, he's the kind of cold headed fly half we need if the games starts slipping away. Trinh DUc ans Skrela are both the kind that crack down under pressure.
Really glad to see Rougerie is back, he had an amazing season and is back to his pure class days. Can't wait to see hiom on the field, hoping he gets some significant game time.

 

[Stillknox]

Traille is in the squad, sorry, that was a mistake from Rugbyrama.

 

[O'Rothlain]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (melon @ May 19 2009, 06:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

As long as Chabal is there, all is well.[/b]

Glad to see someone at 31 years old still banging it out like the all-powerful Chabal. Gives me hope!

 

[elgringoborracho]

Dupuy and Skrela means we'll have two reliable boots. Which wasn't the case during the 6N. Really looking forward to these tests. It's been a long time since we last went to the SH with the squad to actually win a game.

 

[DonBilly]

The issue is going to be the availability of players for the first test with the Top14 final played one week before the first test. Up to 14 of the selected players can arrive on Wednesday or Thursday only in NZ; it is very unlikely that any of them is ready for the first test.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (elgringoborracho @ May 20 2009, 03:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Dupuy and Skrela means we'll have two reliable boots. Which wasn't the case during the 6N. Really looking forward to these tests. It's been a long time since we last went to the SH with the squad to actually win a game.[/b]

not sure about reliable when it comes to Dupuy, he's been missing some very easy kicks in recent games.

 

[Flux]

I'm hoping to go to the Wellington test. I think, or hope, that's the second test they play. It's been a long time since a full strength team from the NH played down here and I'd love for there to be some more meaningful matches played in NZ with the All Blacks other than just the 3N matches.

What are the chances of Parra playing this test?

 

[DonBilly]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Flux @ May 20 2009, 07:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I'm hoping to go to the Wellington test. I think, or hope, that's the second test they play. It's been a long time since a full strength team from the NH played down here and I'd love for there to be some more meaningful matches played in NZ with the All Blacks other than just the 3N matches.

What are the chances of Parra playing this test?[/b]

Full strength team will be for the second and third tests only. Otherwise Parra should start at least two out of the three test matchs. Dupuy has never played for France so far.

 

[nam97]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Flux @ May 20 2009, 05:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I'm hoping to go to the Wellington test. I think, or hope, that's the second test they play. It's been a long time since a full strength team from the NH played down here and I'd love for there to be some more meaningful matches played in NZ with the All Blacks other than just the 3N matches.

What are the chances of Parra playing this test?[/b]

Wellington is the 2nd test so you are in luck.

 

[thomas]

what do you guys think the starting XV should be?

imo:

Barcella - Szarzewski - Mas

Chabal - Nallet

Dusautoir - Harinordoquy - Bonnaire

Dupuy
Skrela

Jauzion - Mermoz

Heymans - Médard - Rougerie


That's the best XV we can show to NZ right now, based on physical form... Might not be our best possible XV (personnaly I rate Traille higher than Jauzion at the moment and I think a midfield combo Traille + Bastaraud could be great)

Anyway if France's staff really wants to prevent the TOP14 finalist from playing the 1st game that's what the starting team could look like :


Faure - Servat - Domingo (is ha a tighthead? not sure... if the final is SF - Perpignan then we'll have to go with a tired TH)
Chabal - Nallet

Ouedraogo - Picamoles - Bonnaire

Parra
Trin-Duhc

Jauzion - Mermoz (also tricky)

Palisson - Médard - Clerc ??

 

[thomas]

Rougerie played a few matchs with the n.13 at outside centre with Clermont... and it was not bad at all... could be tried at international level...

 

[Flux]

It all sounds good to me. :bravo:

 

[elgringoborracho]

Due to a late irregular bad mean tackle by Lawes on Parra during the pointless European Challenge Cup final, the injured Parra won't be able to play the summer tests with France.
Yachvili, whose season has been like Biarritz's : crap in 2008 and awesome in 2009, will replace him.

A bit disappointed but well I guess it's good for him. He'd better play well though, as the french staff probably wouldn't have picked him if it wasn't for Tillous-Borde and Parra's injuries.

 

[Stillknox]

Lionel Nallet and Imanol Harinordoquy are ruled out too.

In: Remy Martin (Bayonne), Damien Chouly. (Perpignan)

Martin wasn't picked since the RWC2007, and it looks like he's gonna play at lock this time. Thierry Dusautoir should be the skipper...  and good news for the Church of Chabalism, Chabal might be captain for the first test with the possible absence of Dusautoir and Jauzion. (if Toulouse is in final)

 

[elgringoborracho]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Stillknox @ May 25 2009, 11:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Lionel Nallet and Imanol Harinordoquy are ruled out too.

In: Remy Martin (Bayonne), Damien Chouly. (Perpignan)

Martin wasn't picked since the RWC2007, and it looks like he's gonna play at lock this time. Thierry Dusautoir should be the skipper... and good news for the Church of Chabalism, Chabal might be captain for the first test with the possible absence of Dusautoir and Jauzion. (if Toulouse is in final)[/b]

And yet another Lievremont enigma... Martin at lock? He's never played there!

 

[thomas]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (elgringoborracho @ May 26 2009, 01:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Stillknox @ May 25 2009, 11:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Lionel Nallet and Imanol Harinordoquy are ruled out too.

In: Remy Martin (Bayonne), Damien Chouly. (Perpignan)

Martin wasn't picked since the RWC2007, and it looks like he's gonna play at lock this time. Thierry Dusautoir should be the skipper... and good news for the Church of Chabalism, Chabal might be captain for the first test with the possible absence of Dusautoir and Jauzion. (if Toulouse is in final)[/b]

And yet another Lievremont enigma... Martin at lock? He's never played there!
[/b][/quote]

Well...

despite having quite some depth at other positions (centres, wings...) we don't have much choice when it comes to international-level 2nd rows.... :-(

 

[SaintsFan_Schweinsteiger_Webby]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (elgringoborracho @ May 24 2009, 07:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Due to a late irregular bad mean tackle by Lawes on Parra during the pointless European Challenge Cup final, the injured Parra won't be able to play the summer tests with France.[/b]

Lol.

Just to check, you are being ironic/sarcastic/generally amusing?