Sport360° view: France look good enough to win Six Nations

Martyn Thomas 14:13 02/02/2014
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  • Resilient: "Philippe Saint-Andre’s men never let their heads drop."

    Le Crunch was by no means a classic but France displayed enough resilience in Paris to suggest they can mount a serious challenge for a first Six Nations championship in four years.

    In a disjointed yet absorbing contest, Les Bleus had played much of the game without the ball. In neither half did they enjoy parity in either possession or territory yet to their credit Philippe Saint-Andre’s men never let their heads drop.

    Resilience is not a trait traditionally associated with French rugby but after watching Alex Goode extend England’s lead to five points late on and while struggling to get out of their own half, in a hushed Stade de France, the hosts refused to press the panic button.

    Gael Fickou skipped past Goode in a blur of blue to provide France with salvation and there is now sure to be a clamour to include the 19-year-old Toulouse centre against Italy next week.

    Fickou can be a devastating player and is clearly the future for his country but there was method to Saint-Andre’s decision to prefer a midfield partnership of Mathieu Bastareaud and Wesley Fofana at kick-off.

    Basteraud in particular was selected for his physicality and it was an approach that initially paid dividends as England started the game ponderously in defence, and man-of-the-match Yoann Huget capitalised with two tries.

    At that stage England’s much vaunted pack were looking a shadow of the cohesive unit that gave as good as they got against New Zealand in November.

    They picked themselves up, though, with Billy Vunipola highlighting his growing importance. Danny Care marshalled the forwards well and was a constant menace to the French defence as he snipped from scrum-half.

    There will be much that pleased England coach Stuart Lancaster in defeat. Mike Brown continues to improve on the international stage, and scored his first Test try, while there was also a score on debut for Luther Burrell.

    England still lack a bit of physicality in their midfield without the injured Manu Tuilagi but they may just have unearthed another brute of a back to play just outside him.

    Jack Nowell might only be playing his second season of senior rugby but the 20-year-old was not overawed in the Stade de France, throwing himself into the game with vigour, carrying the ball for a combined 87 metres – the second most by any player on the field – while not missing a single tackle.

    Nowell has come from nowhere to leap ahead of the likes of Christian Wade and Marland Yarde in the race to replace Chris Ashton, and he must be allowed to keep his place against Scotland next week.

    Saint-Andre, on the other hand, may decide to tinker with his selection. Fickou for one has shown he has the class and temperament to do it on the big stage and a home game against Italy should prove the perfect time to start him.

    A comfortable victory over the Italians should keep the Stade de France in good voice too, ahead of trips to Wales and Scotland.

    Win those and the Marseillaise will be deafening when Ireland visit Paris on March 15 for a game that should decide whether the northern hemisphere dances to the beat of France’s drum once more.

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