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'The tournament is a disappointment. We are disappointed with this tournament'
By Ben Spratt
Jacques Brunel admitted the Six Nations was a disappointment for France despite ending the campaign with a backs-to-the-wall win in Italy.
Les Bleus conceded several opportunities to Italy in Rome on Saturday but preyed on the hosts' missed chances to triumph 25-14, adding to last month's win in Scotland.
Coach Brunel was not enthused by their display or their tournament as a whole, but he was able to identify some positives.
"The tournament is a disappointment. We are disappointed with this tournament," he told Eurosport. "We have been too inconsistent.
"Like today, we have had no control at times and had great moments at others. We are not satisfied."
Outlining the positives, Brunel added: "I'll remember two things: this character that has been shown in difficult times and the emergence of young talents like Romain Ntamack, who showed qualities today, and also Demba Bamba.
"I will therefore remember the emergence of these young players and the work of the experienced players to mentor them."
The Rugby World Cup represents France's next big assignment, but Brunel does not believe too much can be read into their Six Nations performances ahead of that competition.
"The World Cup is something completely different," he said. "We will have a longer time to prepare for another competition format with four decisive games.
"We will have time to settle all those details that were not good during this tournament. But, whatever we have just experienced, a World Cup is a special moment."
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Latest Comments
But he chose rightly or wrongly to play for Tonga. If he wanted to play for the ABs why didn’t he hold off?
Go to comments“A succession of recent ex-players going straight back into the game as coaches in their early 40’s would prob be enough to kill it stone-dead. Innovation would die a death.”
Would it? I do think one of the major differences between rugby and most other sports - which we’ve been overlooking - is the degree to which players are expected to lead team meetings & analysis sessions and the like. Someone like Owen Farrell has basically been an assistant coach already for ten years - and he’s been so under a variety of different head coaches with different expectations and playing styles.
“The most interesting ppl I have met in the game have all coached well into their sixties and they value the time and opportunity they have had to reflect and therefore innovate in the game. That’s based on their ability to compare and contrast between multiple eras.”
I don’t doubt that that’s true. But having interesting insights doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be the best able to inspire a team, or the best at managing the backroom staff.
“Wayne Smith winning the WWC in his mid sixties three years ago prob means nothing to you but it meant a lot to him. It took him back to the roots of is own coaching journey.”
I don’t doubt that! But I don’t think coaches should be hired on the basis that it means a lot to them.
“The likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Wayne Bennett and Andy Reid all have a tale to tell. You should open your ears and listen to it!”
I agree! Never have I ever suggested otherwise!
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