France stars Maestri and Fickou swap Toulouse for Top 14 rivals

So much red meat. So much alcohol.

Help.

Unless they’re needed to pack the bus? Sweep the sheds? Hold their colleagues hands in prayer at half time?

But anyway - Rassie would never underestimate in preparation for a match against any tier one.

But I can. The Welsh are going to get fcuked up today, six love.

Watch out for Cameron Hanekom. On at about the 60 minute mark.

A loose forward the size of Jasper Wiese, with the athleticism of Pieter Steph and the mongrel of Kwagga Smith.

Oh, and he’s a lineout option.

You can never be sure which team is pitching up until the whistle blows.

I think Contemponi is a fabulous coach.

He goes on to say that they just need to deal with the Bok scrums, lineouts and territorial game. Those are not one or two little things ...

Besides, I suspect Tony Brown would like to see his new attacking philosophy clicking against Wales. That involves a lot more than set pieces and kicking. And Gatland might want to be ready for it.

For me the big question is whether the Boks retain their shape and intensity, regardless of the scoreline. If they do that then it could be a cricket score.

But there have been times this year when we have seen them get into a kind of error strewn, shelter shelter, hot potato mode on attack. Hope we don't see that, because it is silly and ineffective. Also boring.

I would love to see the new Bok plan in full flight. But, sadly, my expectation is that we will be another England-like post-game interview, with Rassie "taking the win" but declaring that they did not play the way they intended to.

The list you provided has a few viable options. However they are not as good as Joe Schmidt is who can get the wallabies back into the top 4 or 5.

They should be groomed and developed, be part of this journey. If you read my post.

And if they aren’t, and if the future remains bleak, it will be because of Australian rugby run by Australians that make the decisions for Australian rugby to be blamed.

Not Joe Schmidt, or devious kiwis. Australians.

Neither England nor Ireland will trouble this team in the 6N. That’s my prediction.

And I guess about time too. Considering that France has won but one 6N title in 6 seasons despite being the best French team for generations thriving off the platform which is the Top 14.

They must just beware of peaking too soon and going to Australia over confident.

Which is also why I thinks it’s absolutely bonkers that France isn’t sending there best players to New Zealand next year. Yes, it isn’t Australia, but getting some SH travel experience makes more sense than not.

Although Eddie picked it up and ran with it when he used to pick Wigglesworth to come on and close out games. Now unsurprisingly with Wigglesworth as the head coach it has continued.. coincidence or something more sinister?

Must say I didn’t think Tom was a standout in the A game but it’s the only game I’ve watched him this season that he wasn’t.

Luke Reimer was a clear MoM from our perspective - hard to believe Tizzano, for all his effort, is considered a better option to back up FMR. He’s a world class breakdown threat, he’s a powerful defender, and his carrying has really stepped up.

I’d pick Pearson ahead of Earl and the Curry’s. Bigger and more physical than Earl, more skilled than Curry(s).