The next team I will be reviewing ahead of the opening weekend of the six nations is France. The Gallic flare has often been the biggest weakness for Les blues, especially, over the last decade. The age old cliche of ‘ you never know which french side are going to turn up’ has evolved into, ‘ how will France throw this away?’. They were ill disciplined and poorly motivated throughout the 2010’s, barring a player rebellion inspired run to the 2011 world cup final. They have an embarrassment of riches to choose from but always seem to pick the wrong person for the job or the team. Guy Noves was appointed about a decade too late and I don’t think anybody truly believed Jacques Brunel was the right man for the job.

But, it seems that the French rugby federation have finally seen the light. They have appointed ex captain Fabien Galthie as head coach, he in turn has assembled an impressive pool of assistants. Yannick Bru is in charge up front, the former Toulouse hooker will organise the behemoth pack, the jewel in the crown is the addition of Shaun Edwards as defence coach, a man who has had pretty much an instant impact wherever he has gone. Edwards has been the driving force behind the Wales defence under Warren Gatland, he is tasked with organising a French defence that has been lax at best over the last 10 years

‘Each game is a different entity, but it would be nice to replicate what we did with Wales in 2008’

Edwards spoke to Scrum V and recalled the immediate impact he and the rest of the coaching team had with Wales in 2008, where an opening win over England sent his team on the way to a Grand Slam.

It’s not just the coaching team that is encouraging for Galthie, a golden generation of players is emerging. France have won the last two under 20 world cups and many of the players featured have already stepped up to full international level. Demba Bamba is a colossal anchor at tight head, Romain Ntamack is a silky player with his father’s grit. Anton Dupont is a dynamo at scrum half and Damien Penaud is a world class predator on the wing. France have also moved the mighty Vakatawa to centre, where he has caused all sorts of problems for defences, alongside him Gael Fickou is in form and Teddy Thomas is also back in favour. There is certainly a lot of firepower in the backline, Charles Ollivon, the all action Toulon flanker skippers the side and will want his pack to win enough ball to set the backs free.

‘ Dupont, points to what i feel Scrum halves will start to look like in the future…….He mixes the nuts and bolts of running a game, and mixes in the odd moment of improv(isation)’

Squidge Rugby breaks down Anton Dupont’s importance to France in his Six Nations review.

Things are certainly looking up for France, the long term plan is to win their home world cup in 2023, which they are more than capable of. For this six nations, their opener against England on February 2nd at Stade de France is huge, if they can win that, they will be a formidable opponent as the competition progresses. With so many of the other nations in serious transition, this could be France’s year,Edwards influence in defence, they will be a much tougher but to crack. I am all in on France to win the next world cup, as is Squidge. I feel they are due to have a major say in the next few six nations winners. I’m dreading them coming to Cardiff this year, something I have not felt about France for a long time.

Fixtures:

2.2.20- England (H) 15.00

9.2.20- Italy (H) 15.00

22.2.20- Wales (A) 16.45

7.3.20 Scotland (A) 15.00

14.3.20- Ireland (H) 20.00