With the Six Nations set for kick-off this weekend, Planet Rugby takes a look at each team's chances in 2013. Next up, France!
Despite a below-par championship last year, Les Bleus will start this year's edition as one of the favourites after impressing during the November Tests.
Last Year: Having finished fourth in the Six Nations with a team that reached the World Cup final just a few months earlier, the start of the Philippe Saint-André's tenure was, in his own words, "mediocre." It could so easily have been a very different story as France's fate largely hinged on a handful of missed drop-goals that cost them victory over both Ireland and England. Unimaginative tactics and dubious selections of players out of position left French fans frustrated as PSA tried to juggle the need for stability with a desire to blood fresh talent.
In their first three games, Les Bleus started at a snail's pace and were forced to rely on their ultra-experienced bench to launch second-half comebacks to claim wins over Scotland and Italy and a draw in the weather-delayed clash with Ireland. A fourth lethargic start proved too much as defeat at home to England ended their title hopes and signaled the start of many changes. But the subsequent unsuccessful 80 minutes in Cardiff raised more questions than answers.
Fears were eased in November, however, as big wins over Australia and Argentina and a gritty performance against Samoa raised France to fourth in the world rankings.
This year: The ever-contentious Top 14 calendar means that, as usual, France will start their campaign with a number of injury worries and a week less preparation time. The draw is not in their favour either with three of their five games on the road, including a trip to Twickenham that many are predicting could be the title decider. But French teams normally perform best in the face of adversity and Saint-André's squad seems to be have established the kind of cohesive environment that was lacking under Marc Lièvremont.
Thierry Dusautoir is back and has been unburdened of the captaincy to allow him to focus on his return form injury. If he can find to his best form, the French back-row will be phenomenally good. Picking players out of position is a trend that just won't die in France and Wesley Fofana seems set to feature on the wing, much to the dismay of those (including us) who believe he should see as much of the ball as possible in midfield.
Players to watch: The French pack will once again set the benchmark. Louise Picamoles is the best number eight in Europe and his power from the back of the scrum offers a potent attacking option. Frédéric Michalak took a firm grip on the number 10 jersey with a string of excellent performances in June and November and his ability to control the game makes the XV de France a very complete side. Pascal Papé will continue to lead the team without much flash but plenty of hard graft in the trenches.
Prospects: If it weren't for their unfavourable draw, France would be the clear favourites for the title. Back-to-back trips to Twickenham and Dublin present a steep challenge, which is why the bookies have them narrowly behind England in the odds. The pack is without equal in Europe but their ability can go all they way may depend on whether Saint-André can find the right balance to his backline. A Grand Slam may be a bridge too far, but a finish in the top two is expected.
Fixtures:
Feb 3: v Italy - Away
Feb 9: v Wales - Home
Feb 23: v England - Away
March 9: v Ireland - Away
March 16: v Scotland - Home
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
Chancer: last Autumn England played ABs first. Then we ran them close and people said ABs would have smashed England if it weren't their first game. Same for both sides. MJ before the game said its the best time to play them. Note before the AB vs England game the debate was: is this the best team ever. And no they weren't meaning England.
Rugby-Rockstar: don't buy that argument. France are as good as you let them be. And in recent years quite consistent.
Posted 18:32 30th January 2013
chancer says...
France 2nd 15 should be enough to beat Italy provided they turn up with the correct mental attitude, I suspect if they are not a success, the head coach merry go round will start again. Most of us realise that the club country issue is a very potent factor, would England have beaten NZ without 4 weeks preperation??
Posted 15:03 30th January 2013
Lucasrg says...
France is a strange beast. If they will asphalt Italy in Rome then I guess they will go for a Grand Slam ambition. They have just a huge bench. Will they confidance arise or deminish after the Italian game?
I guess is just to early to speak on anything, the first 2 games will set the tournament.
Good luck Les Blues.
Posted 12:01 30th January 2013
carpelone says...
rugby_rockstar
LOL
A bit of a collection of stereotypes, but quite fun. Half bothered effort? That is it.
Posted 10:34 30th January 2013
carpelone says...
Top 14 is becoming to abrasive even for a superpower like France and injuries are becoming more and more frequent. Top 14 competitiveness is also changing the way French teams are playing, and now they are becoming very boring. So I do not think that France have still that rugby champagne approach they are famous for. I would like to know the opinion of our French friends on this.
They have a favorable tradition in Dublin, so I think that the decider will be at Twickers (a win to England is likely, as CJ officiates).
However, I am not convinced that England will win all the other four matches, so I would possibly put my money on Les Blues for the tournament.
A potential banana slip could be Italy, as they are heading to Rome lacking a number of key players due to various injuries.
Posted 10:32 30th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Its never easy to predict france's form. the annihilation of australia in november has left us expecting the same this spring, but Oz were poor. Saint Andre's track form with Gloucester, Sale and Toulon tells us to expect an unimaginative kicking game. and the day the french get motivated to play against a side they should beat on paper will also be the day it snows in hell. I predict the usual half bothered efforts vs scotland and Italy and possibly wales depend if wales can break their losing streak or not. I wouldn't be surprised if they play sublime rugby vs ireland and england, then again the have to fly to england and ireland so they may be all feeling fed up after the long flight and simply not turn up on the pitch. France are France. Forget them and just focus on your own performance. They're like the weather, fightening and down right life threatening one day, meak as a lamb the next, don't fixate on France, you may as well try to predict the direction a fish is going to swim in. Get your own house in order, focus on what you can control.
Posted 10:08 30th January 2013
Vonvon says...
A win in Twickenham would be a huge achievement. Only a few French teams have won there and that would be a clear statement that France is ready to compete with the best.
Allez les petits!
Posted 07:39 30th January 2013
melkdave says...
PSAs 1st 6Ns was more a goodbye to the old guard imo,who to be fair had underperformed for years under ML,and most posters agree lucky to reach the RWC.PSA really didnt start to put his stamp on the team until the summer tour to Argentina and North America,where he blooded players ,and tried a few new combos ect.Then this Aurtum boy they really did look impressive ,totally the destroyed the wallabies and Argentina,eventually.So they are rightly favourites for the championship.Dont think there wil be a slam this year,but i do expect France to win the championship,from either England or Ireland tbh.I think PSA has finaly got though to the players that you just cant turn up and expect to win any match these days.Every victory has to be earned.
Posted 06:11 30th January 2013
Stuntman_Stag says...
France do look good to win the six nations, even though they have a few injuries they have the depth.IMHO I believe they need to have yannnick nyanga and yoann huget in the team more too.
Posted 05:35 30th January 2013