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'The players are unable to develop technically and physically' - Delaigue

Former France fly-half Yann Delaigue

Yann Delaigue says the huge influx of foreign players in the Top 14 is damaging French rugby and thinks it could take up to five years for Les Bleus to compete with the best in the world.

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France won just three of 11 Tests last year and lost their first two Six Nations matches last month in a new era under Jacques Brunel, who replaced sacked head coach Guy Noves.

Former France fly-half Delaigue feels the vast quantity of overseas imports is preventing young talent from being given the chance to develop and that is harming the national team.

He told Omnisport: “We have a big problem in that we just can’t seem to compete against the big nations.

“We have a problem in that in our championship we have a lot of foreign players and we don’t give the young French players enough opportunities. The players are unable to develop technically and physically.”

Delaigue added: “I think it could take up to five years to become a strong nation. We have good young players, but we need them to gain more experience playing in the Top 14 so they can develop into stars.

“We know that and things may change now, but it will take time for that to show with results.”

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Brunel got the first victory of his reign against Italy last time out and Delaigue thinks he could be a good appointment, but does not think it was a change of head coach that France need to move forward.

“Jacques Brunel is a good guy. Guy Noves was also a good guy, I don’t think the coach is the problem, there is much more to it than that,” Delaigue said.

 

– Delaigue was speaking during the Tournoi des 6 Stations Orangina [The 6 Stations Tournament] on the snow in the French Alps from February 12-18. For more information on the event visit http://tournoides6stations.com/en/

 

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Jon 12 hours ago
The case for keeping the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific

I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.

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