France at the Rugby World Cup 2011

[Lee Grant]

Use the Pool match thread for discussion of the France games and this thread for other matters pertaining to the France squad. There will be similar threads for South Africa, England, NZ – and the Wallabies, of course. If folks feel another country deserves another thread, or have a particular interest in that country, they can start one.

The idea is to avoid starting dozens of threads for such subjects as: “What a goose Fred Nerk is” and the like.

There will be some big news items or incidents that deserve individual threads – play it by ear. Don't be miffed though if you start a thread and it is later merged with another one.

 

[Lee Grant]

As reported in the injury thread, flyhalf David Skrela, is returning home after being injured in France's opening game.

His place will be taken by Jean-Marc Doussain of Tolouse. It is a pity that Jonathan Wisniewski of Racing has been injured in the Top 14 recently as he may have got a shot at the gig.

Doussain is still just 20 and is one of those players that can play just about anywhere in the backline. When Kelleher was injured last year he turned his hand to scrummie in the Heineken Cup but I've seen him play flyhalf and fullback as well. He's big for a half and plays more like an inside centre.

This youngster will be around for a while.

 

[François]

Jean Marc Doussain will be a star of the game. At Toulouse they called him 'mini byron', because he was similar in style with Kelleher. A very promising young player, I hope he gets some game time. I reckon he should have been there in the first place.

It's sad to say but with Skrela gone and Doussain in, the french team is a lot better.

 

[Lee Grant]

Agreed - please keep posting on France in the RWC and in any match threads of games they play in.

 

[Manuel]

I don't think I've seen Doussain play much at 10 for Toulouse, though. I think when Bézy and him were playing together, it was Bézy who was playing 10. (though I admit I get confused between the two... shame on me!)

 

[Lee Grant]

I see that Elissalde has to come out of retirement to help Tolouse. Doussain has been playing scrummie for Toulouse and since he will go to the RWC where other Tolouse scrummies are playing (Burgess for Oz and Vergallo for Argentina) Toulouse are short of halves (scrum or fly).

You have to feel sorry for Toulouse coach Guy Noves. Naaaaaah - suck it up Guy; now you know what the other clubs go through.

 

[François]

Doussain plays mostly 9, but in the U20 world cup apparently he was at 10. He's a short, bulky, very quick, and has good vision and passing. I look forward to him having game time, although Elissalde apparently said that he thought his selection came too early.

It's always the same thing in France: we never give opportunity to youngsters, until they are a solid 21-22 years old. If I recall at that age O'Connor and Beale have probably 50 caps together. That's something Australia can thank Deans for.

 

[BRIX]

My French mates were saying that they preferred Rougerie at 10 rather than Skrela. Either way it should be interesting to see how Baby Byron fairs in the squad, and where you will play. I am confident that he will contribute well given the chance

 

[tranquility]

Rougerie at 10?? surely not. Surely.

I love how France produce these prodigy's year after year, although the last couple haven't really kicked on into superstars; think Parra and Lionel Beauxis and even Michalak depending on how you look at it.

France are one of only 4 teams who I think can win this bloody thing, and they will be my second team if anything untoward happens to our Wobblies.

 

[Lee Grant]

Parra has kicked on. Going to be around a long time representing a country that has the best depth in scrummies of any nation IMO.

 

[sudrugby]

Doussain was playing 10 and Bézy 9 for Toulouse before they exchange the roles last year or the year before I guess.
I like Doussain and I believe he has a really strong potential but the issue is that we need a 10 to replace Skrela (who was already a calamity). Wiesniewski could have suited more for this position but now we have 3 scrum halves with two also able to play 10. I'm not really convinced.
After the two first game I'm still worried about my team... when we rely on guys like Rougerie or Traille, we can't expect much!

 

[antipodean]

After the two first game I'm still worried about my team...

Êtes-vous sérieux? They've looked very comfortable to me; quite content to step it up a gear when needed. I suppose next week will give us a good indication.

 

[sudrugby]

Êtes-vous sérieux? They've looked very comfortable to me; quite content to step it up a gear when needed. I suppose next week will give us a good indication.

Je suis sérieux!
It was only Japan and Canada.... and we have already shown too much mistakes... For three years now we were not able to build a team and now the weaknesses are too important.
You will see pretty soon the limits of France. We only have a scrum, and without Nicolas Mas it will be even harder

 

[antipodean]

We shall see my friend. Bonne chance.

 

[BRIX]

Rougerie at 10?? surely not. Surely.

Ha ha, sorry mate, I meant Traille. I love the French. I was lucky enough to play a few games for Stade Francais Crabos U/19's during my sejour there back in the day. Lively bunch they are - If the Wallabies get bowled out I know who I'll be supporting from there on.

Bonne continuation les gars

 

[Lee Grant]

It's interesting to an Aussie how much the club system in France gets precedence over the national federation.

When flyhalf Skrela was injured in the first France pool game Lievremont called for a replacement and chose Doussain from Toulouse, who is principally a scrumhalf at the minute, but can play in most backline positions.

Last weekend, about a week after Skrela was injured, Toulouse played Biarritz and Doussain trotted out in front of his team to get applause from the crowd. I was puzzled as to why he hadn't jumped on a plane about a week before, but I thought it was nice: to get a clap from his home crowd before he left.

Bloody hell - he started in the game at scrumhalf and as far as I know hasn't yet arrived in NZ at the time of writing this.

It was probably just a bit of needle from Toulouse coach Guy Noves as to where the power in French rugby is.

Only in France.

 

[Jethro Tah]

Parra has kicked on. Going to be around a long time representing a country that has the best depth in scrummies of any nation IMO.

I thought Parra looked quite sharp running at 10 at the end when they scored all the points v Canada. Maybe he is the solution as backup to Trinh-Duc with Yachvilli off the bench to 9, which would allow a 5-2 bench split.

 

[sudrugby]

I thought Parra looked quite sharp running at 10 at the end when they scored all the points v Canada. Maybe he is the solution as backup to Trinh-Duc with Yachvilli off the bench to 9, which would allow a 5-2 bench split.

Yes but a nation who wants to win a world cup already got a high level number 10, not a guy that suddently becomes the new best 10 in the country after having played number 9 for four years!
It is another ridiculous decision from Lievremont.

 

[sudrugby]

It's interesting to an Aussie how much the club system in France gets precedence over the national federation.

When flyhalf Skrela was injured in the first France pool game Lievremont called for a replacement and chose Doussain from Toulouse, who is principally a scrumhalf at the minute, but can play in most backline positions.

Last weekend, about a week after Skrela was injured, Toulouse played Biarritz and Doussain trotted out in front of his team to get applause from the crowd. I was puzzled as to why he hadn't jumped on a plane about a week before, but I thought it was nice: to get a clap from his home crowd before he left.

Bloody hell - he started in the game at scrumhalf and as far as I know hasn't yet arrived in NZ at the time of writing this.

It was probably just a bit of needle from Toulouse coach Guy Noves as to where the power in French rugby is.

Only in France.

True... but there are two entities, one for the amateurs (managing the national team) and one for the professionals
In England they found an agreement, in France they can't.... the amateurs are always complaining about old school values whereas the pros have economic and performance issues.