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Outlandish French campaign's latest twist involves the captaincy... again
By Online Editors
France’s miserable Six Nations has been eventful, to say the least.
Everything from Sebastien Vahaamahina only learning on the pitch from referee Wayne Barnes that he was suddenly the captain against Wales, to Jacques Brunel calling a player into the squad in the week of the England match whose arrival was delayed as he was on holiday.
They now head into their round three assignment at home to Scotland on the back on the revelation that skipper Guilhem Guirado was the subject of a players' vote to remain on as captain last Friday on the same day that French rugby federation boss Bernard Laporte gave the squad a verbal rocket at Marcoussis.
According to French rugby newspaper Midi Olympique, Laporte was invited to address the players without the presence of under-fire coach Brunel, who has won just one of his last nine matches in charge.
Laporte, the Six Nations title-winning coach from 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007, didn’t bite his tongue when given the chance to speak following the hammering by England at Twickenham, allegedly telling the players in no uncertain terms: “When we take 40 points, we shut up!”
Reports also claim that Brunel later intervened before afternoon training, addressing some criticism made of him and asking Guirado if he wished to give up the captaincy amid the growing crisis surrounding the team.
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The players opted to take some time among themselves and they then voted unanimously for Guirado to remain on as skipper. They also appointed a player leadership group tasked with raising issues with staff and to also have a daily debrief every evening after work.
Brunel, meanwhile, has rebuffed claims that Fabien Galthie, who would have played for France under Laporte, has been lined up to come on board the coaching staff.
“The name of Fabien Galthie has never circulated, I do not read the press… I never thought of bringing him in. I have a staff and I’m good with my staff,’ insisted Brunel after he unveiled a team on Tuesday to face Scotland that shows four changes from the heavy defeat to England.
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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