Le Bleu back themselves

Le Bleu back themselves

11 Mar 2008

France believe they can beat Wales by 20 points or more in Cardiff to win the Six Nations.

That would see Le Bleu retain their title on points difference and shatter the Dragons’ Grand Slam dreams.

“It will be a final,” France hooker Dimitri Szarzewski told reporters. “Everything is possible. It will be very intense. Wales are full of confidence and will have the crowd on their side in that beautiful stadium. It will be deafening out there. Win by 20 points, why not? But we must concentrate on winning, not on the margin we need to do it by.”

However, on current form the French should struggle to beat Wales, let alone win by 20. Coach Marc Lievremont has introduced several new players this season and encouraged the team to play an expansive game. However, they have never really got going and could only beat Italy by 12 points at home last weekend.

Ironically, France entered their last match of last year’s Six Nations having to beat Scotland by 23 points to pip Ireland to the title. The French scored a dramatic injury-time try, which was referred to the TMO, and won by 27 points.

* Lievremont has recalled six experienced players for the Wales match. Scrumhalf Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, flyhalf David Skrela and fullback Cedric Heymans return, as well as hooker William Servat, flanker Thierry Dusautoir and No 8 Elvis Vermeulen.

Backs: Dimitri Yachvili, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, Francois Trinh-Duc, David Skrela, Yannick Jauzion, Damien Traille, Vincent Clerc, Julien Malzieu, Anthony Floch, Cedric Heymans.Forwards: Fabien Barcella, Jean-Baptiste Poux, Nicolas Mas, William Servat, Dimitri Szarzewski, Jerome Thion, Lionel Nallet, Arnaud Mela, Julien Bonnaire, Thierry Dusautoir, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Elvis Vermeulen.


9 Comments

  • 1.katman: Reply to this comment
    11 Mar 2008, 08:36 am

    I’m prepared to wager one hundred Euros with Mr Szarzewski that France will not beat Wales by 20 points.If anyone speaks to him before the weekend, can you please try and set this up?

  • 2.Kerneels: Reply to this comment
    11 Mar 2008, 08:46 am

    IMO the Lions or Reds should give Wales a good run for their money. The Crusaders/Sharks/Blues should beat them by about 50.

    Worst 6 nations I’ve seen in years.

  • 3.Jinx: Reply to this comment
    11 Mar 2008, 08:55 am

    I hope the Taffs beat the Frogs. It will be good for rugby.

    Gatland may think he is God but we’ll get over it.

  • 4.Mick Dundee: Reply to this comment
    11 Mar 2008, 09:12 am

    Allez les Bleues!!

  • 5.Reserve Naartjie: Reply to this comment
    11 Mar 2008, 09:57 am

    Simon, it’s plural. Les Bleus.

  • 6.soulfusion: Reply to this comment
    11 Mar 2008, 10:53 am

    So Wales will walk onto the field 20-0 up. Don’t think the French will be able to pull a win off Wales with that sort of deficit.

  • 7.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    11 Mar 2008, 11:01 am

    6.

    France has some serious talent though and if the game goes open they’ll tear the field up.

    15. Heymans
    14. Clerc
    13. Jauzion
    12. Traille
    11. Malzieu
    10. Skrela
    9. Elissalde

  • 8.seamus: Reply to this comment
    11 Mar 2008, 11:09 am

    Going to be a cracker!

  • 9.notabullbutashark: Reply to this comment
    11 Mar 2008, 23:11 pm

    HI SIMON – Just letting you know it’s “Les Bleus -
    The Blues”, you were saying “Le Bleu – The Blue”

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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