Head coach Marc Lievremont?s underachieving French stars are the latest side to fall under the microscope of the iafrica.com sports team ? a talented side but one which remains predictably unpredictable.
Many a pundit has described the upcoming Six Nations as "wide open," suggesting that there are a number of teams capable of winning the tournament this year and that, despite being the favourites, Wales face a massive task in retaining their crown which they won last year.
The French, as always, remain a side capable of winning the tournament - on paper that is. Blessed with talented players throughout their side the French have enjoyed fantastic recent success in the competition, winning four out of the last nine tournament, the last in 2007.
A powerful squad, even with the notable absentees of Frederic Michalak and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, the expectations on the French are always high.
Both talented playmakers Michalak and Elissalde have been overlooked by Lievremont as he seems set to put his faith in young Stade Francais utility back Lionel Beauxis as his first choice No.10.
With three matches on the road this year, including tough trips to Croke Park (Mar 7) and Twickenham (Mar 15), the French have a big challenge ahead of them to get themselves back to the top of the pile.
Strengths & Weaknesses: Overtly physical and aggressive the French pack could have the edge in a number of tight phases, particularly with Sebastien Chabal and Imanol Harinordoquy in the side, but their scrummaging will be a concern. While few teams in the competition boast genuinely dangerous packs of forwards the French coach will be concerned that his men might not be able to get the job done.
Yannick Jauzion remains a world class operator in the centres, and young Maxime Medard provides some real promise, but the pressure really will be on the halfbacks. With Sebastien Tillous-Borde and Beauxis set to be Lievremont first-choice pair it is up to them to provide the spark in the French side - whether they are ready, willing and able for that just yet though remains to be seen.
Coach & Captain: One could never accuse Lievremont of not being his own man. A somewhat surprising choice for the job last year he spent much of 2008 experiementing with players and tactics. 2009 therefore is the year he needs to show the world what he has learnt.
The French captain, Lionel Nallet, is also very much in need of a strong showing this season. Having struggled for form this season so far the powerful Castres man needs to be back to his best to justify his coaches faith and inspire his team.
Players to watch: With no opportunity for Lions selection this Six Nations campaign will be the highlight of many of these players campaign.
As already mentioned expect good things from Medard and Jauzion but also then keep an eye on fullback Clement Poitrenaud. The Toulouse man was in fine form against Bath in the Heineken Cup recently and could add some real class to the attacking line of Les Bleus.
2008 Position: 3rd place - 3W 2L - 6pts
Home Venue: Stade de France, Paris
iafrica.com Prediction: Lievremont has not done enough yet to convince anyone he can really mould this squad together into something that can challenge for the crown. It will be a competitive tournament and we expect France to provide a stern test or two? but ultimately to come off second best in most of them. Bottom half finish for the French.
Squad:
Backs: Morgan Parra (Bourgoin), Sebastien Tillous-Borde (Castres), Lionel Beauxis (Stade Francais), Florian Fritz (Toulouse), Benoit Baby (Clermont), Yannick Jauzion (Toulouse), Julien Malzieu (Clermont), Cedric Heymans (Toulouse), Clement Poitrenaud (Toulouse), Maxime Medard (Toulouse).
Forwards: Fabien Barcella (Biarritz), Lionel Faure (Sale/ENG), Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Francais), Benjamin Kayser (Leicester/ENG), Benoit Lecouls (Toulouse), Nicolas Mas (Perpignan), Lionel Nallet (Castres, cptn), Romain Millo-Chluski (Toulouse), Sebastien Chabal (Sale/ENG), Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz), Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier), Louis Picamoles (Montpellier), Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse).
Schedule:
Sat, Feb 7 Ireland v France 17.00 Croke Park
Sat, Feb 14 France v Scotland TBC TBC Stade de France
Fri, Feb 27 France v Wales TBC TBC Stade de France
Sun, Mar 15 England v France 15.00 15.00 Twickenham
Sat, Mar 21 Italy v France TBC TBC Stadio Flaminio
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