Poor France

[Ze Stade Fan]

The performance of France against Tonga was so poor that players couldn't find excuses during the press conference. Lièvremont invited his team to share a few beers and meditate the defeat and... they did not turn up.

Looks like the morale is close to zero. Estebanez was deservedly sent home for a spear tackle (3 weeks suspension) and the only one that showed some envy and desire to play in front of the Tongans is Maxime Médard. Poor France.

[Old Hob]

Poor France, indeed. Is there any explanation? Are they, like soccer players, too rich and too proud to play for their country?

[salcombe bob]

trouble is France are France and so unpredictable! They can come out and suddenly be brilliant again.

[Ze Stade Fan]

In the past France's selections managed to stay glued together in spite of critics and defeats. Now it looks like the spring is broken, players are not acting as a team any longer. Lievremont is definitely not the right man in the right place.

Still unpredictable is a well chosen word, who knows who are going to turn up on the 8th of october...

[fleabane]

Watch out England?

[Kinoulton]

I would say England should watch out.

There have always been two French teams and you never know which one will turn up, because the personnel are exactly the same.

Either they come out sullen and disinterested or they are brilliant and run your legs off.

I think the likes of Croft, Moody and Tuilagi need to hit them very hard and very early, to stop them in their tracks and make them wish they weren't out there.

[Ze Stade Fan]

I had forgotten that man Tuilagi. Ooooooh he's brutal and mean and speedy and fast and has a high velocity...

[kingneptuneii]

I had forgotten that man Tuilagi. Ooooooh he's brutal and mean and speedy and fast and has a high velocity...

dont forget quick as well.
his favorite food is raw gazelle and french half backs

[Kinoulton]

I guess ZSF covered that aspect with "high velocity"!

[kingol22]

Think it will be interesting next week. I reckon it will either be a big win for England with France imploding or a tight win for France with them playing some of their best rugby.

[GS]

It appears that we have a French team in the process of imploding, but being French anything could happen in the next 80 minutes, and an England team whose only consistent performer who has given everything and been pretty effective is a 20 year old Samoan who was refused a work permit. Gonna be a great game - bring it on.

[stonebob]

its all a ploy ...be careful england !! france are waiting in the long grass. when you see tran duc at number 10 you know they mean buisness..

[Kinoulton]

its all a ploy ...be careful england !! france are waiting in the long grass. when you see tran duc at number 10 you know they mean buisness..

Nicely put!

[Granby]

its all a ploy ...be careful england !! france are waiting in the long grass. when you see tran duc at number 10 you know they mean buisness..

Nicely put!

That's good then, 'cos they haven't picked him - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_u ... 162947.stm

[Ze Stade Fan]

Lièvremont is a nut job !

Attacking in the 9-10 zone will be a ball for Tindall and friends. Haskell is going to atomise Parra. oooooh poooooor France !