'We can't go on like this' - report could seal Noves' fate

The future of under-fire France coach Guy Noves is expected to be decided at the weekend – with Bordeaux’s Jacques Brunel reportedly waiting in the wings if FFR President Bernard Laporte decides enough is enough.

Speculation is also mounting that Laporte may be willing to hand the reins to a foreign coach for the first time in French rugby history after the 2019 World Cup. He has already spoken to current England coach Eddie Jones, reports say.

Vern Cotter and Joe Schmidt, who both have Top 14 experience and speak French, have also been linked to the Marcoussis hot seat. As has Toulon’s new boss Fabien Galthie, Clermont’s Franck Azema, and Pierre Mignoni who has recently signed a new long-term contract with Lyon.

Shortly after Les Bleus escaped with a barely deserved draw against Japan at the U Arena at the end of November, Laporte said he would allow himself a “period of reflection” before deciding on the future direction of the national side.

He initially said his ‘reflection’ would last a fortnight. But he later commissioned FFR vice-president Serge Simon to undertake a root-and-branch investigation into the troubles facing the national side, extending that period to a month.

Many assumed these comments – and the following report, which was delivered on Monday, December 18 – meant that Noves’ job was in jeopardy after a disappointing series in November. As the draw against Japan, France lost to South Africa and twice against New Zealand.

Only the French Barbarians – now the official France ‘A’ side, who were coached by Azema – won their solitary outing, against the New Zealand Maori.

It has been widely reported that Brunel, who became head coach at Bordeaux following the departure of Raphael Ibanez at the end of last season, will take the job if Noves leaves.

The former Italy boss, who at 63 is the same age as Noves, would be hired on a short-term deal ending after the 2019 World Cup in Japan, reports say. In the meantime, the FFR would begin a search for a longer-term coach to take the country through to the 2023 tournament in France.

It was widely accepted that the France job would be Noves’ last coaching role, so it is no surprise that Laporte would be looking to the post-2019 future. But speculation is mounting that the president’s patience has run out at the national side’s continued poor form. Noves’ record is a dismal seven wins from 21 games.

Simon has, however, insisted that his investigation was not intended as a Noves’ witch hunt.

“[Noves’ future] is neither the goal of the audit or its purpose,” Simon told French sports broadcaster RMC in early December.

Simon, whose relationship with Noves can best be described as ‘tense’, said that he had been charged to find solutions to help the French team improve in the months and years to come.

“This is not a report on Guy Noves,” Simon said. “I know that’s the question that puzzles everyone … but Bernard Laporte asked for this methodology, because the problem is not that simple. We refuse to oversimplify the French team’s problems as a staff problem.”

Some problems plaguing French rugby were obvious, he said but added that the investigation was intended to “broaden the reflection” and take advantage of a window of opportunity in which interested parties – from players to administrators and Top 14 clubs – were keen to facilitate change.

“Everyone has an opinion, not just on the coach or the guy to be played or not. By collecting a range of views and impressions, we will have a more general view and ideas that we would not have had alone.

“We can’t go on like this, or everyone loses. I sense a genuine willingness on the part of many partners to mobilise so that the French team can overcome its difficulties.”