France
Are the coach and players speaking this month? It’s a cliché but the whole series for the French depends on which team turns up.
Selection and Attitude
Successive French coaches haven’t been good at it, and the constant tinkering and experimentation probably does more harm than good in the French camp. France have proven that once the coach gets the selection right they are a match for anybody, however once that tinkering starts they can produce some absolute dross. Phillippe Saint-Andre needs to find his preferred 23 and stick with it for a whole series. Once he begins to deviate the French seem to adopt a laissez-faire attitude to the game at hand and it all unravels. This Sydney resident saw it at first hand when a number of first teamers were spotted on a day time session days before the 3third test against Australia in June.
Centres
France have the two most destructive centres in the European game at present, Fofana and Bastareaud, if their pack can get some front foot ball this two will cause havoc for any defense with Bastareaud in particular softening them up for the fleet footed back three to capitalize. The French halves must keep the tempo high and get the ball out to these two if the French are to score tries. They have been surprising toothless in recent years and only on the occasion when the play has sped up have the looked dangerous. The game plan must not revolve around a Top 14 style bosh-fest if Saint-Andre wants to bring three wins to Les Bleu.
Bastareaud – destructive centre
The Bigger Picture
French rugby has welcomed professionalism into its league like no other, many teams read like something from the league of nations and some teams have few French qualified players on their first choice 23. This has lead to a dearth of French players in key positions in the league. There were instances last year of no French qualified tens starting in the league on given weekends! This has lead to a drop off in quality players that the French can select. Although there are slowly agreements being forged with the Top 14 clubs, in a country where workplace reform is notoriously slow the FFR need to broker some sort of deal with the clubs so there are more French qualified players in key positions where they are now facing a shortage of international class options. (particularly tighthead, fly half and scrum half).
Ones to Watch
Yoean Maestri – Maestri has been mainstay of the Toulouse and French teams for a couple of years now. The French have lacked leaders in the pack and now is the time for Maestri to take the next step in his career and cement his place in the pack for the next number of years. France will need his lineout prowess and ball carrying if they are to trouble the Wallabies and with the likes of Pape and Dusautoir in the latter stages of their careers Maestri looks like a long term captaincy option after the World Cup.
Rory Kockott – qualified for France
Rory Kockott – The South African born scrum half has qualified for France via residency. He has been one of the top 9s in the French domestic scene for a number of years and is a top class goal kicker to boot. His presence will give the French a true international quality consistent presence at half back, they have chopped and changed here but I feel that Kockott will occupy the shirt for a long time. Whether you agree with qualifying by residency or not it is good to see one of Europe’s top performers get a chance in international rugby.
Yoann Huget – Huget is a massive attacking threat for France, the physical winger likes to pop up all over the field and is lethal from turn over ball. He is a throwback to some of the classic French teams of old in his style of play. France will look to get him running of Bastareaud’s line breaks as often as possible, and his decent kicking game gives them another option when deep in their own territory.
Expectations
France line up against Fiji, Australia and Argentina this November. I’m expecting them to win initially against Fiji, however I think both the Wallabies and the Pumas will get the better of them. It could be a long run in to the World Cup for the France unless Saint-Andre drastically changes his style compared to the first two and a half years of his reign.
Italy
Italy still haven’t really improved on their status as whipping boys of the Six Nations in recent years, however they have improved their style of rugby to the level where they probably play the most attractive game out of the Six Nations countries and are now able to produce one off winning performances against the bigger sides.
Consistency
Due to their small playing pool, which is expanding since their introduction into the Pro12, Italy regularly struggle to back up good performances due to a lack of depth in their squad. They are usually an injury away from calling up someone from their domestic league. Jacques Brunel has struggled to get them to take the next step beyond plucky underdogs; whilst they are a match for anyone on their day you can be pretty sure that day is a one off in the series. The main thing Brunel will be looking for is three performances of a good standard whilst building some squad depth.
Italy – will be looking for good performances at least
Where’s the Beef?
When rugby people think of Italy they immediately picture a big pack, with a strong set piece and fearsome rucking. However Italy are really struggling to get some fresh talent in their tight five. For years it seemed they couldn’t produce a homegrown back now they seem to have a severe shortage of local forwards. Whilst I’m not really privy to the local development structures it seems like they have neglected their strengths as they were desperate to produce some backs. This has lead to Italy’s once fearsome scrum now one that opponents will target and reap benefits from doing so. Their breakdown isn’t as feral as it once was and due to that emotional Roman trait all Italians seem to have they are easily distracted and ill disciplined here. The age profile and lack of fresh meat has probably prompted Brunel to expand Italy’s game however long term he needs to find some props and a 19 year old Bortolami wouldn’t go amiss either.
10
Ever since Diego Domínguez hung up the boots Italy have struggled with their pivots at 10. Tommaso Allan and Luciano Orquera have chopped and changed in the starting jersey in recent times. Brunel needs to pick one and stick with them, whilst neither are international class (ever in Orquera’s case, not yet in Allan’s) not knowing who the fly half leading into the World Cup is will be doing more harm than good.
Sergio Parisse – needs to be at marauding best
Ones to Watch
Michele Campagnaro – Campagnaro is an exciting young centre who has recently broken into the Italian fold. He was very impressive in his first 6 Nations and looked like a young Brian O’Driscoll in his linebreaking. Italy will be doing all they can to get the ball in his hands and will be hoping that he doesn’t suffer a touch of second season syndrome.
Sergio Parisse – Parisse is still Italy’s best player and their only player who’d threaten to break into the side of the top teams. Italy will need him at his marauding best this November a level that we haven’t seen him at for a while. He often gets bogged down trying to do everything but I’d like to see him stay out of the ruck and try to get him running at the oppositions ten off quick ball. And Sergio no drop goal attempts please!
Expectations
Italy face Samoa, Argentina and South Africa in a tough series. Despite some improvements in playing style Italy’s pack has regressed to the point where I find it hard to see them winning any games this November. Its going to be a long month for the Azzuri and the best that they can hope for is that some of their exciting young backs get more exposure to international rugby, with a view to taking a couple of scalps in Rome in the Six Nations.
See a review of the southern teams here
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