Philippe Saint-André, the new French national coach, has named his 30 players group for the Six Nations tournament including two uncapped players. Toulouse and Clermont, the two best teams in Top 14 and H Cup during the first half of the season, are the most represented in this list with respectively 11 and 7 players.
Clermont’s utility back Wesley Fofana (who will likely play inside centre) and Toulouse’s lock Yoann Maestri are the two new faces that are expected to wear their first blue jersey this year. PSA has also recalled players that were unofficially banned by Marc Lièvremont like fullback Clermont Poitrenaud and flanker Yannick Nyanga from Toulouse and wing Julien Malzieu from Clermont.
Florian Fritz is still missing despite high performances with Toulouse for the last two years. His absence seems incomprehensible but he might still carry the burden of some offside incidents. Yann David, his substitute with Toulouse has been called instead.
Lionel Beauxis, who has left the Stade Français for Toulouse, is back with Les Bleus thanks to high level display sending Luke McAlister to the bench. Loosehead prop Vincent Debaty is the only surprise of this list, taking advantage of Thomas Domingo two successive injuries to win a starting spot with Clermont. (….continued below Video….)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J_08IrbBpc[/youtube]
Philippe Saint-André has stated that his strategy is selecting the best available players to win the Six Nations and impress during spring and autumn tours. He has no interest in selecting youngsters in order to prepare the next World Cup in 2015 like Marc Lievremont did at the beginning of his spell.
“I’m preparing tomorrow and the future! No one is eliminated. Those who are selected today will not necessary be there for the next four years”.
This group is experienced with 22 of them who were in New Zealand last october. Lionel Nallet, 35 yo, was not selected at first but was recalled when Romain Millo-Chlusky got injured during a Top 14 game. Damien Traille, David Marty and Cedric Heymans have been omitted and their time with Les Bleus seems to be over. Thierry Dusautoir remains the captain but a fierce competition will take place for a starting spot on the third line, within the halves and at the centre of the attack. William Servat, Nicolas Mas, Pascal Papé, Thierry Dusautoir, Vincent Clerc and Maxime Médard are almost certain to start thanks to their high level of performance this season.
France are a strong chance to win this 2012 Six Nations Tournament as it is hosting three games, especially two clashes against England and Ireland plus Italy for the opening fixture. The last game will be against Wales at the Millenium Stadium. An opportunity for the Welsh to take their revenge from the controversial world cup semi final. The referee will be… Craig Joubert!
Props: Fabien Barcella (Biarritz) – Vincent Debaty (Clermont) – Luc Ducalcon (Castres) – Nicolas Mas (Perpignan) – Jean Baptiste Poux (Toulouse)
Hookers: William Servat (Toulouse) – Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Français)
Locks: Yoann Mastri (Toulouse) – Lionel Nallet (Racing Metro 92) – Julien Pierre (Clermont) – Pascal Pape (Stade Français)
Flankers: Julien Bonnaire (Clermont) – Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse) – Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse) – Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier)
Eightmen: Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz) – Louis Picamoles (Toulouse)
Scrum Halves: Dimitri Yachvili (Biarritz) – Morgan Parra (Clermont)
Fly Halves: Lionel Beauxis (Toulouse) – François Trinh Duc (Montpellier)
Centres: Yann David (Toulouse) – Wesley Fofana (Clermont) – Maxime Mermoz (Perpignan) – Aurélien Rougerie (Clermont)
Wings: Vincent Clerc (Toulouse) – Julien Malzieu (Clermont) – Alexis Palisson (Toulon)
Fullbacks: Maxime Médard (Toulouse) – Clément Poitrenaud (Toulouse)
