OVER THE NEXT few days, we’ll attempt to stoop lower than Gordon D’Arcy at rucktime to bring you all the necessary information on the teams who will form Ireland’s opposition during this year’s Six Nations.
Who’s yer man in the coach’s seat again?
THAT WOULD BE Philippe Saint-Andre.
This is the start of the legendary winger’s second season in the big bleu job. You may recognise him from his previous roles with Sale Sharks and Toulon, both of whom did battle with Munster during his time there.
When he first took the reins this time last year, his squad seemed to be suffering the hangover that comes with going so, so close to a World Cup win. The 2012 Six Nations was a disaster (even when you ignore the frozen pitch) as France managed to only beat Italy and Scotland before drawing with ourselves in Paris and losing to England and Wales.
Which France showed up in November?
The good one. In fact, there’s rarely any other kind of French rugby, but the non- francophones tend to enjoy attaching some sense of mystique to les Blues because the language barrier makes proper analysis more difficult.
The summer witnessed them complete a run of four games without a win before returning to form a week later and thrashing Argentina. Back home, Louis Picamoles broke through the Australian defence at will as the Wallabies were made to look extremely ordinary in a 33-6 defeat.
They renewed their unique relationship with Argentina a week later and perhaps took the last trace of energy from the Pumas in a 39-22 win the week before the South Americans’ visit to Dublin.
The third November Test was less impressive, but all France needed was a little magic from that man Freddy Michalak to see off Samoa 22-14. Incidentally, the winning run coincides with Michalak’s recall.
Ah yeah, Mee-shell-ack. I remember him. Where’s he been?
You know yourself; the bould Fred’s been touring the world – or at least the flight-path between Toulouse and Durban – with his supermodel girlfriend.
The ridiculously talented half back has had two spells with the Sharks before moving on to Toulon at the start of this season.
There, he has thrived.
Right… have they any weaknesses at all?
They’re not easy to find, but if there’s a place to target France, perhaps it’s their outside backs. Sainte-Andre has kept Mathieu Bastareaud on track for a recall against Italy, but may have second thoughts about throwing the reformed character into a big game.
In November, he asked Wesley Fofana – most people’s choice as the best inside centre in the world at the minute- to play on the wing so that Maxime Mermoz could join the midfield with Florian Fritz.
Injury trouble on the wing leaves them with Yoann Huget or Benjamin Fall. No bad options, but by no means Saint-Andre’s preferred options in his own area of expertise.
How about the kicker?
No, no sign of a flaw there either. Morgan Parra will take control of the tee and, most worrying of all, he appears to absolutely love playing at the Aviva Stadium. Remember this... or this?
Any injury strife?
On the wing. Medard’s recall is down to injury to Castres fullback Brice Dulin who was preferred during November but will be out for the whole tournament.
Both Imanol Harinordoquy and Julien Malzieu have failed to earn a place in the squad after long injury absences. Vincent Clerc will also miss out on the tournament opener, but his knock his likely to ease in time for round two. Injury also forces Biarritz flanker Wenceslas Lauret out of the pre-tournament camp.
Many old warhorses retired since we last met?
They’re not exactly short of back row option, but Julien Bonnaire opted to hang up his international scrum cap after last year’s Six Nations.
The tight five will be shorn of even more caps as Lionel Nallet and William Servat have also bowed off the biggest stage.
Likely starting XV
Huget; Fofana, Bastareaud, Mermoz, Fall; Michalak, Parra: Forestier, Szarzewski, Mas; Pape, Maestri; Dusatoir, Ouedraogo, Picamoles.
