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Six Nations 2017 Preview: How Strong Is Novès' French Revolution?

Watch out for France centre Rémi Lamerat

In the second pre-tournament team preview, James Harrington looks at the chances of the French, who haven’t even bothered to try to flatter to deceive in recent years – but could now be on the rebound.

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What to look out for
A development of the free-running, nerveless, attacking game that France trialled against Australia and New Zealand in November. Please.

Strengths
France boasts a big, powerful, scrum-loving pack – but, even without Wesley Fofana, those backs should scare the living daylights out of just about any team in the world.

Weaknesses
This 21st-century France may – finally – be harking back to the future, but the on-pitch revolution is young, as coach Guy Novès has been busy sorting out the long-standing backroom mess at headquarters in Marcoussis. And now results-led president Bernard Laporte has taken over, there’s a nagging doubt that the joie de jouer that overcame French international rugby in the November internationals may be ditched in favour of a more pragmatic gameplan. Even a new accord between the union and the clubs that has allowed Novès two whole weeks with his squad before the tournament is in Laporte’s sights. You have to really hope that this revolution does not wither and die before it gets a decent run, as Les Bleus were on the fringes of a very French style that could develop into something very special indeed.

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The Man in Charge
Novès cannot be entirely sure of his place now that Laporte is the man in charge at the FFR. The pair have never seen eye to eye – and it had been rumoured that Monsieur le President had sounded out Bordeaux’s Rafael Ibanez for Novès’ job – though the Top 14 club’s current form could have put a temporary halt to that ambition. For now, however, following a long lunch with Laporte’s lieutenant Serge Simon, the gnomic Novès is the man in charge – and the accord that Laporte hates has given him a fortnight with his players. For a man who has won more titles than Donald Trump has signed dubious executive orders, that’s plenty of time. Worse still, for the opponents after England, he’s got them for eight consecutive weeks during the length of the tournament.

Player to watch
Rémi Lamerat. Sure, all the clamour will be about likely starting scrum-half Baptiste Serin, who has made quite an impression since his debut in Argentina in the summer, but watch out for the Clermont centre, who combines Bastareaud power with Fofana guile and pace. In fact, until the latter suffered a season-ending injury the French backline looked certain to feature five of the high-flying Top 14 side’s backs – with Camille Lopez, Lamerat, Noa Nakaitaci and Scott Spedding still very much in the coach’s mind. While the loss of Fofana is a blow for France, the prospect of Lamerat and Toulouse’s Gaël Fickou teaming up in midfield is not a partnership that any opponent would fancy facing.

The Big Match
Le Crunch. It’s always Le Crunch. This time, it’s on the opening weekend – and if France catch England napping it could be game over for a second England Grand Slam and that New Zealand record before the tournament really gets under way. By the same token, it would give Les Bleus a real shot in the arm.

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Prediction
Third. It would be France’s highest position since 2011, a year they also – against all odds – reached the World Cup final. But, French fans are daring to believe once again, and if Novès can start delivering results as well as performances … well, that has got to be good for the game.

Squad
Forwards: Uini Atonio, Cyril Baille, Mohamed Boughanmi, Damien Chouly, Loann Goujon, Kevin Gourdon, Guilhem Guirado, Arthur Iturria, Julien Le Devedec, Bernard le Roux, Yoann Maestri, Clement Maynadier, Louis Picamoles, Fabien Sanconnie, Baptiste Serin, Rabah Slimani, Christopher Tolofua, Sebastien Vahaamahina.
Backs: Mathieu Bastareaud, Djibril Camara, Yann David, Jean-Marc Doussain, Gael Fickou, Yoann Huget, Remi Lamerat, Camille Lopez, Maxime Machenaud, Noa Nakaitaci, Geoffrey Palis, Scott Spedding, Virimi Vakatawa

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 3 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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