1. How are France shaping up this year?
It is important for France to erase the failure of the Rugby World Cup and to develop an attractive style after the devastating Philippe Saint-André era. There are many uncertainties with a new coach coming in and a new generation of players after our catastrophic performances during the Saint-André years since 2011.
Over the last few weeks, Guy Novès and his staff have started to build a team up through several gatherings during which they have focused, according to media reports, on the baseline they expect for the game itself and for the team’s spirit. They have considerably rejuvenated the team and, while many of the players look very talented, how the mayonnaise is going to succeed — as we say in French — is the main unknown.
2. What will be considered a success for Novès over the next two months?
As I’ve mentioned, the French supporters would mainly like to recover an attractive style (which has not always been the reality for Toulouse in the last few seasons under Noves). Nevertheless he has selected rather mobile players who should provide more speed in the game, like Sébastien Bézy or Gaël Fickou.
The absence of Matthieu Bastareaud, who doesn’t seem to have the profile for the style Novès and JF Dubois would like to implement, is a strong signal. All in all, staying in the race for Six Nations victory up to the end would be a success given our recent catastrophic performances in this championship.
3. Who or what is your biggest concern in the French team?
The instability in France’s half-backs remains a real problem. We always try many different options, without identifying or setting up a partnership that will play all the games.
How the new generation settles in will also be interesting. Replacing major players like retired Nicolas Mas or Thierry Dusautoir won’t be an easy task.
4. Who will be your key player this season?
This is not an easy question. How Guilhem Guirado does as he takes over the leadership from Captain Dusautoir will have to be monitored. Guirado has played at a very good level since he arrived in Toulon; now he has to back it up at international level and become the French pack’s spearhead.
In France, François Trinh-Duc’s return is eagerly awaited as he’s considered by many to be the best fly-half. He’s just back from injury so he’s not selected for the game against Italy, but he was called into the team camps while injured, and Novès has publicly said that he counts on him a lot.
5. Which player, from any country, will be the surprise star of the tournament?
For France, I would have a look at Sébastien Bézy who brings a lot of speed in the Toulouse team. If France do well, he may really be the championship’s revelation.
As for England, I am a bit disappointed by Elliott Daly’s absence; I think he is a player who could have produced sparks. Otherwise, it will be interesting to watch Jonathan Joseph’s performances.
Finally, Scottish flanker John Hardie seems to be a player with great potential.
6. How do you fancy your chances in the game against Ireland?
We did not win against Ireland during the last four PSA years so this game will be one of the most important for us. As usual the main challenge will be to cope with the Irish kicking pressure and to meet our opponents’ fighting spirit in and around the rucks in order to manage the game on our own, and to try speeding it up and moving up the meeting points to where fewer Irish would be present.
I would give a slight advantage to France, only because the game is in Paris not Dublin.
7. And finally, who will win the Six Nations?
Before the PSA era, France were always likely to do well in the championship on even years (with home games against Italy, Ireland and England).
I hope to see good French performances again from this year. I hope that Novès will set out to win the championship, a change from PSA who publicly said that the Six Nations was only preparation for the Rugby World Cup. France need good outcomes immediately.
However Wales or Ireland seem better positioned to win the Six Nations due to their longer term strategy and the continuity of their staff and players over the last few years, so I think they are one step ahead.
The great unknown remains England, who are in a similar position to us and start with a tricky game against a Scotland team that will be trying to follow up on their good World Cup.
– Read more from Jérémy Sarda at Bajadita, or follow him on Twitter @JSarda66
