French rugby thrives at U20s level

Lacklustre performances at senior level and an unrivalled foreign influx into the Top 14 may have some concerned about the long-term health of French rugby, but there is certainly no shortage of talent emerging for Les Bleus.

The French U20 side may be the most balanced and talented crop that France has produced in years and they have begun to show their promise with impressive campaigns in both the Six Nations and World Rugby U20 Championship.

Historically, France’s age-grade side has performed well at the Six Nations, but has then struggled to replicate that form at the World Championship, often imploding against the likes of New Zealand, England and South Africa.

That has not be the case so far this season however, as France have raised their game since arriving in Italy for the Championship, beating Wales 19-10 in a match where the scoreline does not reflect their dominance, before backing that up with a 47-7 victory over Japan. An enticing clash with England, reigning champions and the side which beat France to this year’s Six Nations crown, looms to decide who tops the pool and heads to the semi-finals.

Key to this French upsurge has been the remarkable play of their back row trio of Sekou Macalou, Lucas Bachelier and Fabien Sanconnie. The group is headlined by Macalou, who is perhaps this year’s Maro Itoje in terms of talent and projective success at the senior level, but neither Bachelier nor Sanconnie should be forgotten in what has been the pick of the back rows at the tournament so far.

Macalou, a product of RC Massy, has reportedly signed a three-year deal with Stade Français, and has the ability to contribute for the Parisian side next season, whilst Sanconnie has boosted his hopes of an increased role with Brive thanks to a fine Championship so far. Bachelier, who is currently contracted to Perpignan, could be an ace up the sleeve for the Pro D2 side, as they bid to return to the Top 14 in 2015/16.

The tight five is also infused with plenty of Top 14 potential, not least so Montpellier lock Tristan Labouteley. The powerful second row is physical enough to make an impact in the Top 14 next season, but it remains to be seen whether the mass turnover at the club under the guidance of Jake White will create an opportunity for Labouteley, or see him play second fiddle to a South African-dominated pack.

Racing Metro’s Camille Chat and Clermont Auvergne’s Michael Simutoga offer plenty of promise in the front row, but with their club’s fairly well-stocked at their respective positions, they may have to bide their time at club level.

The back line is also blessed with an abundance of talent, much of which harks back to the often-used but rarely-seen stereotype of free-flowing, skilful Gallic rugby. Scrum-half Anthony Meric of Toulon stands out amongst the half-backs, whilst the back three is also talented, with Toulouse’s Arthur Bonneval and Thomas Ramos offering plenty of incision and ambition out wide and from deep.

Clermont centre Damian Penaud could be the pick of the bunch, however. A dangerous outside centre, Penaud has sparked the French U20 back line this season and even at just 18 years of age, already looks well on his way to being the next hero of the Auvergne.

The hiring of Guy Noves as French coach after the Rugby World Cup has caused a fair amount of raised eyebrows around the rugby world, but in his defence, his track record of developing talented young French players is second to none. With the Top 14 taking on more and more southern hemisphere players with each passing year, having an international coach who is adept at finding and developing talent is not the worst thing.

The biggest stumbling block in front of these players will be the amount of playing time they see in the Top 14 next season. The quintet of Macalou, Sanconnie, Labouteley, Meric and Bonneval are all certainly ready for the physicality of the competition and now need that exposure to take their games to the level. Macalou (Stade Français), Labouteley (Montpellier) and Meric (Toulon) have unenviable tasks ahead of them given the current rosters and mass of arrivals this summer at their respective clubs.

Providing these players are given the opportunities in the Top 14 they need to develop, then the future could be very bright indeed for Les Bleus, but lose this golden generation to inexperience and time, and French rugby could well be reeling for years to come.