OF THE STARTING XV that France put out against Ireland in last year’s Six Nations clash in Paris, only five players are back again for this evening’s contest in Dublin.
Yoann Huget, Mathieu Bastareaud, Damien Chouly, Yoann Maestri and Pascal Papé remain integral to Philippe Saint-André’s team, but there are a number of relatively fresh faces for les Blues that may not be as familiar.
We caught up with French rugby journalist Arnaud Coudry of Le Figaro to get the view from l’hexagone on whether or not the new additions can cause Ireland real harm at the Aviva Stadium.
Camille Lopez
Position: Out-half Age: 25 Club: Clermont
The 25-year-old stepped up to the mark in November to secure his status as France’s first-choice out-half, impressing with his rounded game. Lopez had one of his quieter outings last weekend against Scotland, even if his place-kicking was key to the success.
“He has totally changed in dimension and class since arriving at Clermont last summer, where he is number one ahead of Brock James” says Coudry. “An excellent playmaker with ball in hand, he has a good kicking game too, which is generally the defect of French out-halves [Michalak and Trinh-Duc].
“Amazingly, he was playing in the third division five years ago with Mauléon in the Basque region. He then exploded with Bordeaux-Bégles, where he really slimmed down, having been overweight before.
“He’s definitely the most complete French out-half right now.”
Teddy Thomas
Position: Left wing Age: 21 Club: Racing Métro
“He was the revelation of the November Tests, scoring four tries in his first two caps. He has really grown at Racing Métro, after tasting relegation with Biarritz last season. Thomas still needs to improve lots in defence, where he sometimes looks lost.
“Some people reproach him for a certain nonchalance, a side of him that’s almost ‘too cool’, like when he arrived late to training before the Argentina Test. His trademark ‘goose step’ wrong-foots defenders, but he may be figured out by everyone very soon.”
Bernard le Roux
Position: Openside Age: 25 Club: Racing Métro
“Le Roux has an enormous physical impact, and he made 17 tackles against the Scots, although he has a lack of cutting-edge in attack. He just doesn’t have the same power with the ball in his hands.
“If he had the same impact in attack as he does in defence, he’d be one of the best flankers in the world. He arrived at Racing from South Africa at a very young age during Pierre Berbezier’s reign and is considered a JIFF player. He’s somewhat in Dusautoir’s shadow for now.”
Scott Spedding
Position: Fullback Age: 28 Club: Bayonne
“For me, he’s one of the best fullbacks in the Top 14. He’s assured under the high ball, powerful in his kicking game and dangerous on the counter attack. Spedding has not quite made the jersey his own; Brice Dulin remains the number one when fully fit.
“He also arrived in France at a young age to join Brive, where he thrived and became a key player. Back in 2006, he played for South Africa U20 in the final of the world championship, but lost to a France team that included Guilhem Guirado and Damien Chouly.”
Eddy Ben Arous
Position: Loosehead Age: 24 Club: Racing Métro
After injury to Alexandre Menini last week against Scotland, Ben Arous moves into the starting team to win his third cap. The loosehead did impress off the bench in Paris against the Scots, even managing to win two turnovers.
“He’s a very modern, very mobile prop,” says Coudry. “He has made a lot of progress in the scrum recently. Saint-André and the staff have been following him closely for some time now.”
Rabah Slimani
Position: Tighthead Age: 25 Club: Stade Français
“After a difficult start to the season, when he didn’t look to be fully fit, he has worked hard to find his best form. Slimani is a very mobile prop, like Ben Arous at loosehead. He’s always formidable at the scrum too.
“It was Jacques Delmas, Stade Français’ former coach, who first moved Slimani from loosehead to tighthead. He’s reputed for his irreproachably healthy lifestyle, often highlighted by the French coaching staff.”
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On the bench, the likes of Benjamin Kayser, Vincent Debaty, Romain Taofifenua, Morgan Parra, Remi Tales and Remi Lamerat are well known to Irish supporters through international rugby and the Champions Cup, but what of the two lesser known names?
Uini Atonio
Position: Tighthead Age: 24 Club: La Rochelle
“A force of nature,” says Coudry. “At school back in New Zealand, he weighed 150kg! He’s the heaviest player in the Top 14 and the Six Nations. Having been overlooked in New Zealand rugby, he revived his carrier with La Rochelle, where he’s now captain.
“He’s still some way off the rhythm and pace of international rugby, but he is a real impact player. Breaks the gainline very often.”
Loann Goujon
Position: Back row Age: 25 Club: La Rochelle
“He’s the surprise of the French squad, nobody really believed he would be selected for the Six Nations. He’s a mobile and powerful player, and a big prospect in the back row. He can play at flanker or number eight.
“He came through at Clermont, who have one of the best academies in the Top 14, but preferred to then get game time at La Rochelle, who he helped get promoted. He’s profiting from the absence of Louis Picamoles, who has no real equivalent.”
