Having reviewed New Zealand, England and Australia, Cameron Gray continues looks at how the runners and riders are faring for RWC 2015 with France.
2013 FORM
Capable of the sublime, mediocre and ridiculous in one half of rugby. That French cocktail used to be known as champagne but the 2013 vintage is more a warm and stale lager. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work which one Philippe Saint-Andre prefers on his lips.
Some dispatches show the number of foreign players in France is directly affecting the national team. A quick glance at the squads from the Top 14 final from 2012/13, Toulon and Castres, indicates there might be some truth in that cable.
With two wins, eight losses and one draw it’s hard to know what positives France can extract from a horrible year. At a stretch you could suggest that having only played eleven tests, compared to South Africa (12), New Zealand (14) and Australia (15), they’ll be fresher than some of their rivals going into 2014.
KEY PLAYERS
Despite being mistaken for Thierry Henry in the RWC 2011 final post-match interview by Ian Smith Thierry Dusautoir is the real deal.
Referred to in some quarters as the ‘Dark Destroyer’, he made 38 tackles in the RWC 2007 quarter final and is reported to have belted Jerry Collins so hard that the tackle forced Collins from the field. Scored a try in that game and the RWC 2011 final.
The Ivory Coast ex-patriate will need to find a way to rally his troops otherwise they might be looking at an early exit.
Is Wesley Fofana the Northern Hemisphere’s answer to Israel Folau? This man’s feet wouldn’t be out of place during the Paso Doble. A player with lightning speed and a genuine ability to find the line. His try against England in the 6 Nations was a classic – twice he evaded Chris Ashton as he sailed down the touch line. He could light up RWC 2015 but he’ll need support.
Mathieu Bastareaud poses an interesting scenario for opposing teams. Has only played 18 tests to date but at 6ft tall and 110 kilos with a bit of pace behind him he could scare a few backlines. Started the last game off the bench versus South Africa but has the potential to be a regular member of the squad. Gave the last pass to Fofana in his try versus England in the 2013 6 Nations – opposing teams will want to shut them both down pretty quickly.
STRATEGIC APPROACH
Who knows? On current form you’d struggle to identify to exactly what this is.
Capable of carving up defences and plundering up the middle through their forwards but at the moment that’s about it.
Aggressive at the breakdown which served them well this year but is that enough for RWC glory?
STRENGTHS
Possess an uncanny ability of rising to the occasion on the biggest stage. Conceded over 50 points to New Zealand prior to both the 1999 and 2007 events but managed to knock them out of the tournament each year. The 1987 Australian team have their own horror story too featuring Serge Blanco as the Boogey Man.
Lost to Tonga and New Zealand in pool play in RWC 2011 but blew England away in the quarter final and scraped past Wales before nearly scuttling New Zealand in the final.
Former stars like Blanco, Magne and Pelous, so often the catalysts for the French resistance, need to be re-generated within the next two years.
WORK ONS
Winning some games would be a good place to start. They’re at home to England in round one of the 6 Nations. Saint-Andre will be hoping Paris is the venue for the next French revolution.
Need to find a way to blend their ferocity at the collision with their attacking weapons out wide. If Fofana or Mathieu Bastareaud can get one on one with defenders courtesy of quick ball they’ll be dangerous.
Argentina or New Zealand await them at quarter final time. Neither prospect is comforting.
2015 PREDICTION
Semi-finalist (Based on current form you’re probably shaking your head right now but if they can get past Ireland they’ll top their pool and face an easier QF v Argentina).
