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Just after another disappointing 2013 Six Nations tournament for Les Bleus, Philippe Saint-Andre and his senior coaching staff invited a dozen of journalists to what they call ‘une table ronde’.
On this day, the 18th of March 2013, PSA spoke at length about the Six Nations itself, the disappointing performances of his team, why French rugby had been stagnating or even struggling in recent times.
Why bring that up now, six months after the interview?
Well it’s again this time of the year when we rugby fans don’t call ourselves English, Australian, kiwi, French, Irish, Italian, South African, Samoan anymore.
We have suddenly become “northerners’ and ‘southerners”!
Yep that’s right! The Kiwis with the Aussies and saffas, the frogs, poms, paddies, jocks and taffies together too.
Forget the wars, Six Nations rivalries and fights, kiwi and Aussie jokes; we are now and for the next few weeks two big, albeit dysfunctional, families.
I actually find it funny, and a bit odd, to be part of these ‘temporary allegiances’ but hey, it’s only rugby!
So yes, it is indeed a very timely opportunity to give PSA, a northerner, a voice like his southern hemisphere counterparts have on our shores all year round.
As it was a very long article, I decided to only focus on what matters most at this time of the year, i.e. some of the reasons according to PSA (‘some’ is important as there are obviously many more reasons ) which may help explain why France is behind the southern hemisphere.
Personally I found it interesting as I didn’t read it as a diatribe against the south or a list of excuses but rather a snapshot of what’s happening, and especially what’s wrong, in French rugby.
I should also mention that the interview was given before an important meeting with the FFR (and PSA clearly wanted to get media/public support before the start of the negotiations.)
Here we go.
“In France, an international player can play 43 games/season but is only at national team’s disposal for 87 days. All Blacks internationals usually play a maximum of 26 games and spend 146 days together as a squad. English internationals play 26 games and spend 119 days with the national coach. In Oz, its 26 matches/145 days.”
“At the highest level, rugby is a sport where players have to be physically fresh and extremely hungry. For example, the fact our guys didn’t play with their clubs the week before the England’s game was extremely beneficial to the troops.
We must find a way to preserve our internationals as it’s also a matter of health.”
PSA’s demands are as follows.
“We need a real break at the end of the domestic season so that our internationals can have a proper rest then start again their physical training.”
“We (the French national team) should also spend at least 13 days as a squad before every major competition and be able to name a 33-man squad.
“We have to find some sort of financial agreement with the clubs for that to work as clubs shouldn’t feel tricked/losers.”
Then Yannick Bru (French forwards coach) to add: “With only 23 players available at national training camps, it’s impossible for me to organise some proper 8 vs 8 scrummaging sessions. Same with line-outs.”
“We have to get some guys from Massy (club from Paris’ suburbs that play semi-pro rugby a few divisions below top 14)! The other international coaches laugh at us when they hear that. “
So then, it’s actually the whole French rugby system which needs to change.
“Let’s have a look at three specific positions and see the % of foreign players at Top 14 level. 88% of tight-head props who are in the starting line-ups are foreigners.”
“The French represent only 12% of fly-halves and 14% of wings. We aren’t having a go at the clubs but there is definitely something wrong with the system in place.
“The national team that gets an audience of 15 million for a Six Nations’ game should be the priority of our rugby.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.