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France in disarray as players suggest taking matters into their own hands
By Online Editors
France's dismal Six Nations campaign is set to go from bad to worse as the playing squad prepares to revolt against its coaching staff.
Les Bleus suffered their worst defeat in 108 years to long-time rivals England on Saturday when they were thumped 44-8 at Twickenham, just a week after their capitulation against Wales in Paris.
The home side were up 16-0 in that clash, before a calamity of errors both on and off the field saw them succumb to a 24-19 loss at the Stade de France.
Lock Sebastian Vahamaahina, who threw an intercept pass from halfway that allowed George North to score what turned out to be the match-winning try in the 72nd minute, revealed he did know he was made team captain by coach Jacques Brunel following the substitution of regular skipper Guilhem Guirado, finding out only through referee Wayne Barnes.
The miscommunication throughout the squad portrayed in the French loss to Wales is one of many symptomatic tendencies that has seen France lose eight of their last nine matches, which has led to an all-time low ranking of 10th on the World Rugby rankings.
Veteran halfback Morgan Parra has since opened up to Midi Olympique of his team's disdain at the way in which they're being managed by Brunel and his associates.
"I think that we are capable of doing what the English do but are we working on this during training? I think we don't work on it enough, even not at all," he said in the wake of his side's pummelling in London.
"Yet these are very simple things that are today part of high-level rugby. We can do this. But do we work on it? No.
"Before the staff, it is first for us, the players, that the situation is hard to live and it is up to us to find solutions because today we are not invited [to give our opinions]," he added, hinting at the possibility of a player revolt as the squad looks to take matters into their own hands.
They would not be the first French squad to overthrow the coach and seize power of the team in recent history.
Former coach Marc Lievremont was pushed aside by his players following their 19-14 loss to Tonga in the pool stage of the 2011 World Cup.
It was that shift of power that managed to see France through to an unlikely World Cup final appearance against New Zealand at Eden Park, while there were similar whispers that emerged of mutiny against former coach Philippe Saint-Andre after his side crashed out of the 2015 World Cup following a quarter-final thrashing at the hands of the All Blacks.
France will look to resurrect their Six Nations campaign in just under two week's time when they host Scotland in Paris.
Jacques Brunel and Guilhem Guirado post-match conference:
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I guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
Go to commentsWhatever let's see if this load of waffle is still valid in 2 years time. ABs will rise we have a lot of new talent coming through. The NPC was the highest standard for years. The game is changing to suit the fast pace we like to play. We get to play the Springboks more, including the franchises, which will make us better! Overall I am optimistic. I will add having watched the England game multiple times we made most of the play. England are an awesome physical team, but you can expect the All Blacks to get better and better at executing the chances. It could easily have been 5 tries to one instead of 3 to 1.
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