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FRANCE TEAM PROFILE get the opportunity for revenge in their penultimate Six Nations fixture at Twickenham. Before then, though, Lievremont’s men face a tricky trip to Dublin to kick off their campaign before facing a rejuvenated Scotland. Wales then arrive in Paris for the Six Nations’ first ever Friday night match which promises to be a memorable occasion both on and off the pitch. France are more than capable of winning the title but they will have to show some consistency in both their selections and performances. Lievremont was – not surprisingly – accused of a lack of respect for the history and prestige of the Six Nations from some quarters when his tinkerings led to a disappointing third place finish last season. The French will hope he used the Autumn internationals to lay the foundations of a side he will continue to build on this time round. After being left out of the Autumn internationals, half-back pairing Dimitri Yachvili and Francois Trinh-Duc will have to fight to win back their places. Toulouse half-backs Jean-Baptiste Elissade and David Skrela are Lievremont’s favoured combination. The midfield looks uncertain as the search continues for a partner to Yannick Jauzion. Benoit Baby will look to put a string of injuries behind him to stake a claim for the No. 12 shirt but Damien Traille will be hard on the case. In recent years, a gulf of talented French centres have suffered from injury but there are now a number of quality players on the periphery. In Jauzion they have a world class centre but in order to fully utilise his ability, they must find him a partner. Cedric Heymans, Julien Malzieu and Vincent Clerc will offer the experience if Lievremont was to select a young gun such as Maxime Medard or Alexis Palisson to spark life into the French backs. Lievremont is looking for the relatively inexperienced Louis Picamoles to make the number 7 shirt his own alongside Imanol Harinoroquy and Thierry Dusautoir. Lionel Mallet will captain the side but his second row partner is still to be confirmed with Romain Millo-Chluski performing well in the autumn. It is imperative that Lievremont finds the right dynamic in the front row after many changes within the side. n ONES TO WATCH MAXIME MEDARD & ALEXIS PALISSON In Maxime Medard and Alexis Palisson, France have two equally exciting prospects at full-back. Medard, 22, has been gifted with safe hands, a lethal sidestep and good vision. Last season, he won France’s Young Player of the Season award after scoring 14 tries from wing and full-back for Toulouse. Palisson, 21, plays for Brive where he seems to have been nurtured into a mature full-back with blistering pace and exquisite kicking skills. Lievremont will look to develop the two players at international level and, if they both continue on their meteoric rise to the top, France have at least one quality full back for the next decade. Medard’s style of play would also suit the midfield where he could partner Jauzion at fly-half or inside centre. Below right Powerful winger Aurelien Rougerie should be a key player again for France in the 2009 competition THE LOWDOWN STRENGTHS Both Medard and Palisson have been indoctrinated into the French style of rugby. They enjoy to run the ball with flair and pace, passing at speed with soft hands. This will always be a strength of Les Bleus as it gives them the ability to counter attack from anywhere on the field and gain significant territory. In Vincent Clerc and Yannick Jauzion, France have two of the best backs in world rugby. Clerc’s sidestep and Jauzion’s power would be an asset to any team. The French have always had an ability to raise their game when it comes to tournaments. Lievremont will be looking for his side to put the stuttering performances in November behind them. WEAKNESSES France have yet to unify under Lievremont. The great French sides of the past
have displayed the ability to gel seamlessly as a fifteen but Lievremont’s
experimentation has denied the squad the opportunity to do this. While world
class players can often combine forces to produce results in spite of this, a
front row needs time together if they are to be strong in the set-piece.
Lievremont needs to find a commanding fly-half who he can rely upon to kick
goals and gain good field position. Either Skrela needs to grow into a 106 / CLASSIC SPORTS SERIES |