1
France great believes Les Bleus can 'dominate the world'
Jacques Brunel named a strong France team to face Scotland on Saturday night in Nice, resulting in Biarritz and France great Serge Betsen sending a warning to the rest of the world on Twitter.
ADVERTISEMENT
Barring a few absences, this is almost a full-strength side which is loaded with players that have impressed throughout the Top 14 season. Clermont Auvergne’s Alivereti Raka and Toulouse’s François Cros are also set to make their debuts.
With 14 players out of the matchday 23 under the age of 25, this is a sign of the promise that France have over the next five years or so. In fact, after winning the past two World Rugby Under-20 Championships, emerging talent has never been something that France are in short supply of.
However, the main criticism of the French team over the past two years has been the way that they have been managed by Brunel, the choices that he has made with selection and the style of rugby he has chosen to play.
(Continue reading below…)
France have endured some dark days since the last World Cup, but the class at their disposal has never been questioned. Betsen clearly knows this and he has sent the message on Twitter that France can “dominate the world” if they collectively decide to.
Le rêve commence ! Rêver d’une coupe du monde et être enfin là pour embarquer pour la #RWC2019 : bravo a tous. Très belle composition, hate de vous voir en action. Si collectivement on le décide on peut dominer le monde et aller au bout de cette magnifique aventure #NeFaisonsXV https://t.co/KrDf2w1Kpo
— Serge Betsen (@SBetsen) August 15, 2019
The 63-cap flanker is touching upon what has been France’s clearest problem, but the hardest one to solve in recent years. Les Bleus have looked laboured and disjointed in seasons past and have lacked any belief, but have shown flashes of what they are capable of.
Their opening game of the Six Nations against Wales was a microcosm of where they are currently, as a sublime first half played at tempo saw them race to a 16-point half-time lead before they capitulated and fell apart.
ADVERTISEMENT
France are in a tough pool this year with both England and Argentina and will want to save any blushes of going out in the pool stages, which is a possibility. The players are there for them to dominate world rugby ahead of the 2023 World Cup on home soil, and even to thrive in Japan this year. But, as Betsen says, it requires them all to play their part.
WATCH: Wales boss Warren Gatland talks to the media ahead of the World Cup warm-up match against England in Cardiff on Saturday
Comments on RugbyPass
Hats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to commentsNice piece Nick. I haven’t seen much of the brumbies this year so will keep my powder dry on charlie, but clearly has the speed and footwork to be damaging in space. Similar to Samu, I’d worry about the size of our pack if the likes of Mcreight and Cale were in the b/row together. Maybe Cale could play a similar finisher role like Samu did for Rennie’s wallabies. Has Cale leapfrogged wilson in your eyes? He obviously has the lineout, but harry probably better (although not great) in the physical stuff and also has great hands in the loose. You’d have to say mcreight and valetini are shoe-ins at 7/8, so the question becomes who matches best with them at 6 and on the bench. I don’t know if he has a high enough ceiling, but id love to see wright given a shot based on how much bad luck he has had with injuries. He may also fit that no-nonsense graft/work rate irish approach…? If schmidt wants size and a 4/6 tweener then I’d probably pick Uru. On the bench I’d have no idea, Wilson if you want to give valetini a rest, and maybe hanigan/wright/uru as 6 replacements.
21 Go to comments