The French

There was an interesting article in the Guardian about the French public's views on the national football team.

The French have always been seen to have lacked real passion in the same way we see elsewhere, despite having had great success, outstanding players and an often wonderful style play.

There has also been some debate about what the team says about French society.

How do the French public, media and politicians view their national Rugby team?

Probs the best source of info would be dipping into their papers..parlez-vouz franglais?

I know we have a couple of our French colleagues posting here, but while they often seem very lucid and balanced they might not be the best to ask (lucid and balanced opinions are not really 606)

A word of warning about using google translate, it sometimes brings back life changing translations.

Once I raided a French forum seeking info on them and one of the phrases that popped up was 'phecking the green woodpecker' - didn't get to the bottom of what it meant and many years later, in the quiet watches of the night, it will sneak back into my consciousness. WTF did it mean??????

I'll never know.

TrailApe my best guess is this might be similar to the French expression " enculer des mouches" a rather familiar way to say "picky".

Merci Monsieur.

Where is France touring in the summer? Are any of their games going to be televised in the UK?

France B reject side is touring Argentina later this month. Probably not much to see though apart from a few spankings.

So the senior side isn't touring, that's a surprise, Spankings will be dependent on if its the Pumas 1st 15.

It's meant to be the senior team... Well in theory... In practice it will be a team missing most of the T14 semi finalists players... So a bunch of stade Francais players will be the core of that team and who knows who else will be around for the 1st game.

That's a shame.

Now I'm not one of these people who think that rugby starts and ends with internationals - club rugby is very important - I think (my opinion) that France has lost it's way a bit - the balance is not right.

What do you French lads think?

People are very divided on this matter. At least authorities are starting to acknowledge that there is an issue with the French selection and lack of quality French players. The coming FFR elections will hopefully bring some change although I doubt the calendar will get lighter.

to those who think club rugby is not that relevant anymore...
Look at how those supporters were celebrating the promotion of Bayonne to the T14. Yet this is only 2nd division rugby but still better than what you would get if France were to win the 6N.

https://mobile.twitter.com/avironrugbypro/status/739230909560422400

There is a recognition at the top of the game that something needs to change if Les Bleus are going to ever be a serious international force again. Bernard la Porte is currently campaigning to be president of the French union.

He wants to bring in dual contracts, along similar lines to England, to allow the national team to have longer preparation and designated rest periods for the selected players. If, and it is a big if, this happens then France would be serious contenders again.

I watch a lot of T14 and for all the talk about the game being dominated by foreign players there are still enough quality French players coming through the academies in most positions ( although 10 and 3 are problem positions) to maintain a strong presence in the 6 N's.

As expected the FFR has named 17 players that will travel to Argentina this week. Mainly Stade Francais and UBB players there that would be joined early next week by playoff losers ( so either mainly from Racing or Toulouse I guess).
France A at his best :
Atonio (La Rochelle) ; Poirot (UBB) ; Slimani (Stade français) ; Bonfils (Stade français) ; Demotte (Agen) ; Le Devedec (UBB) ; Goujon (UBB) ; Gourdon (La Rochelle) ; Lakafia (Stade français) ; Serin (UBB) ; Plisson (Stade français) ; Trinh-Duc (Montpellier) ; Danty (Stade français) ; Rey (UBB) ; Camara (Stade français) ; Mignot (Grenoble) ; Bonneval (Stade français).

France has started their 1st test against Argentina for those who are interested. 3-0 for France after 13 minutes.

17-10 for Argentina at HT. French players inexperienced, missed key tackles but are showing plenty of enthusiasm.

19-17 for France. Argies not very disciplined... 20 minutes to go.

Vamos Los Pumas ffs!
Win for the hosts puts us up to 8th! If France win Wales go up 5th despite getting tonked 2 weeks in a row.

French LH got YC for deliberate Knock On.
20-19 for Arg now.

Just realised we are actually playing with 3 number 8s

That French yellow card has turned the tide temporarily. Argentina now lead 23-19 after 66 minutes, with 4 sin bin minutes left.

Argentina score under the posts after 73 minutes. 28-19 with a simple two points to come.

Great run by Argie lock Petti who outpaced a few French backs to score a try.
Apart from that Argentina has not impressed me. Good a turnover but far from creative.

30-19 now. Score flattering Argentina.

It wasn't a vintage Argentina team but nevertheless a convincing performance by France (the first for a long while) who win the 2nd test match 27-0. Another great game by 21 yo SH Serin from UBB as well!

woo-hoo allez les blueues!

Not that bad a day for the NH seniors then. 2 wins, one competitive loss and one game against the AB's