France trio dropped for World Cup
It is fair to say that Marc Lievremont is not the most popular figure in French rugby. The national head coach has had a difficult reign in charge of Les Bleus since taking over in 2007 after the World Cup. The former back-row forward has been famed for squad rotation and supposedly cheapening the value of international caps. He used 84 players in his first two years in charge and claims to strength in depth and progression. But, by frequently changing the personal in your squad, it doesn't provide continuity or stability. And whichever way you look at it, the French ship sailing towards the World Cup is a sinking one. Players can be in and out of the side in an instant.
Despite the continued success of the Top 14, the international team are an inconsistant species. Capable of sheer brilliant one minute and lunacy the next, you never know which France side are going to turn up. They have match winners and flair players in abundance but recent results have suggested all is not well. A record 59-16 autumn hammering by Australia was followed by an average Six Nations campaign. That loss to the Wallabies was one of the darkest days in French rugby for many an hour. This led to Lievremont labeling his players 'cowards', saying some may never pull on the French jersey again whilst he was at the helm.
Now, he has named, and shamed, his Rugby World Cup Squad. In my eyes, it is clear that there are three, star studded, household names, whose services seem to have been readily discarded by the French Federation. Sebastian Chabal. Clement Poitrenaud and Yannick Jauzion. This trio bring experience, the X-Factor, a touch of class, yet all are surprise omissions from the 32 man squad. Whilst their country slug it out against the best the Southern Hemisphere have to offer, like they did four years ago against the All Blacks in that epic quarter final, this trio shall be thinking they are surplus to requirements. In all honesty, it doesnt look great for France. You can't help feel these three players are a massive loss. Even if one of them came off the bench to play a vital role in a match-winning play, they bring a fear factor, something special.
Poitrenaud and Jauzion have been part of a mouth-watering electric Toulouse backline for the duration of their careers. They have enjoyed unparalled success in both the Top 14 and Heineken Cup playing in a team known as the 'Kings of Europe'. They are both great, great players. Poitenoud is famed for his versatility, equally capable playing centre, full back and wing. A bit hot and cold, briiliant one minute and catastrophic the next, but on his day, he is up there with the very best with his silky skills and fluid running, bringing a touch of class to the backline.
Jauzion is a target in the heart of the Toulouse and France midfield. A physical speciman and tall and rangy centre, he is in the mould of WIll Greenwood. An intelligent playmaker, his knowledge of the game is key. He does the right things at the right time in high pressure situations. Yes, he may have lost a yard of pace but I would have banked on him being a key spearhead and attacking threat for France in the World Cup.
Then the Caveman. Seabass as he is known. Famed for his successful spell in Manchester with the Sale Sharks, he become a cult hero. An icon in those parts, he won the Guinness Premiership and is now plying his trade with Racing Metro 92, the second Parisian time slowly working their way towards becoming a major domestic force. Yes, he has been in the headlines recently for the wrong reasons which may have suggested Lievremont was right to leave him out. He criticized the standard of French domestic refereeing in his newly-released autobiography. Again like Poitrenaud, Chabal offers quality in a number of positions in the pack, at 4, 6 and 8. He felt he was a scapegoat, unfairly held accountable for some recent French performances and he has ultimetly been made to pay.
Maybe I am wrong. Maybe Lievremont was right to continue with his barbaric selection policy, discarding of players at an alarmingly frequent rate. If France win the World Cup, he'll be hailed a genius, that he knew what he was doing all along, part of his master plan. But sadly, I can see France falling again. They won't win the World Cup. Regardless of what he thinks, they surely would have been in with more of a shout had this trio of expensive talent travelled with Les Bleus. Au Revoir Lievremont.
Image from the RFU and Getty Images
