France call up new talent for Six Nations

Slimani is a munchkin. Hartley, Hibbard and Ford are all bigger than him.

As a parisian, I'm content to see Slimani, Plisson and Bonneval in there. They deserve it. They have played well this season. Plisson has a calm head, good vision, nothing flashy but does the basics well, and sets up his outside players. I commented that Slimani might be the next good 3 for France a while ago. Its a good squad. A shame about those missing out due to injury -they will be missed.

"" Saint-André explains fly-half choices 07th January 2014 13:29 France coach Philippe Saint-André insists that fly-halves François Trinh-Duc and Frédéric Michalak are still in contention for selection for the national squad despite missing out on the Six Nations squad. Saint-André named a 30-man squad on Monday including just two fly-halves, prefering uncapped Stade Français pivot Jules Plisson as the back up for Rémi Talès, ahead of the experienced Trinh-Duc and Michalak. Stade Français saw their surging Top 14 form rewarded when a trio of uncapped players were called up as Saint-André also included storming blindside flanker Antoine Burban and full-back Hugo Bonneval, while Castres full-back Geoffrey Palis got his first call up. 22-year-old Plisson has been at the play-making heart of Stade Français' surge to second place in the highly competitive Top 14, even up against the skills and kicking ability of teammate Morne Steyn, the current Springbok fly-half. In the absence of the injured Camille Lopez, Plisson was preferred to Michalak, who has played only once for Toulon since the end of November, and Montpellier's Trinh-Duc, who can count himself unlucky to miss out. Although previous coach Marc Lièvremont's preferred starting number 10, Trinh-Duc is not a favourite with Saint-André, having only played a total of 85 minutes in 2013 in five matches in a variety of positions. "No one has been banished. There were talks over Jules Plisson and François again this morning," admitted Saint-André. "François is making a massive effort and he's almost there, but Jules Plisson is currently putting in some high-quality performances. We've picked the most in-form and confident players of the moment." Turning to Michalak, Saint-André said: "Frederic was the starter in last year's Six Nations and he played exceptionally in the November 2012 Tests. But he got injured and is currently lacking game time. He needs more time." Burban's defensive workrate and scavenging skills have seen him establish himself as arguably the leading flanker in the French league. The 26-year-old has benefited from the absence through injury of Racing-Metro rival Wenceslas Lauret for his inclusion in the 30-man squad and he and Toulouse number eight Louis Picamoles are the sole additions up front from the forwards who disputed the November internationals. Bonneval has thrived off the dominance granted the Stade backs by their rock-solid set-piece play and has proved himself steady under the high ball, thus earning a second call-up to a France squad. Racing-Metro scrum-half Maxime Machenaud, back from injury, is named alongside Toulouse's Jean-Marc Doussain, in place of Morgan Parra and Jonathan Pélissié. Among the centres, Toulon's Mathieu Bastareaud takes the place of Florian Fritz, unavailable through injuries sustained in a motorbike accident. Saint-André will be hoping 2014 makes for better reading than last year, when France lost eight of their 11 Tests, drawing another and winning just two. It was the national team's worst record since 1980, but concerted efforts will now be made to get back on track in time for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. "'

I would think it would be on Espn, but it's definitely on Setanta (if you have it that is). I'm hoping (finally) for the coverage with BBC pundits rather than Bray et al as Bray and co put you to sleep even when watching it after waking up.

* I didn't know Lauret was injured.

"" Four rookies in France squad 06th January 2014 13:48 France coach Philippe Saint-André has named a 30-man training squad ahead of the 2014 Six Nations Championship. Three of the four uncapped players named in the group are from Stade Français: fly-half Jules Plisson, full-back Hugo Bonneval and flank Antoine Burban. Castres full-back Geoffrey Palis is also called up for the first time. Plisson's selection is significant as he is named ahead of both Frédéric Michalak and François Trinh-Duc. Fulgence Ouedraogo, Morgan Parra, Camille Lopez and Florian Fritz are notable injury absentees. The group will assemble for a three-day training camp at Canet-en-Roussillon on the French south coast, instead of French headquarters Marcoussis, with the aim of profiting from better weather conditions. The squad will be trimmed to 23 players on January 22 before heading back to the outskirts of Paris to prepare for the Six Nations opener against England a week later. ""

It should be the same in June though isn't it? They have been together for a while, and we only have 1 weeks prep down here?

That's true Ben. I think we will see Toulouse backrow vs England (Nyanga-dusautoir-picamoles). Parra is a good player but I really like Doussain too: he can play 9 and is even a decent 10 (I saw Toulouse v Clermont this w-e and he was more than ok imo) and can kick. We might even see machenaud-doussain at some stage in the 6N who knows. If the French play like they did in November they will lose against you even in Paris. I think you have more depth and also consistency. anyone knows if the 6N is on fox or espn this year?

very stinky indeed hahaha! Am starting to think that another bad 6 nations and/or wooden spoon would open the eyes of the FFR re Top 14's foreigners policy and calendar. Plus Galthie or a good foreign coach might be offered the job.

Fritz is a huge loss, as is Parra - although he wasn't playing that well before his injury. I am a big fan of Ouedraogo, and Nyanga is a similar sort of player, but PSA seems to have an obsession with back rowers who work hard, but don't offer much else. I don't see how Le Roux and Burban would ever compliment Dusautoir. I like Lauret, but he's a similar sort of player to Dusautoir. I don't understand PSA's thinking.

Bastareaud is so slow. I like Fofana to play with someone quick.

Thanks, man. Hope France can improve. 2013 was a piece of stinky cheese.

As Fritz is injured will be interesting to see who plays 13 now. Bastareaud? Would go for Fofana-Fickou in the centres.

Same here! The article is incorrect though, Jules Plisson is a fly-half, not a centre. From what I have seen and read, he has had a very good first half of the season and many think he should still be the starting 10 ahead of Morne who needs more time to adapt (have seen him play recently and he looked lost, clumsy passes, not much envy etc. needs more time maybe)

True, Ben S. Good 15 players, but not 25.

Haven't seen enough of either, Harry. I've seen Plisson in dispatches, but Palis is new to me.

That back row isn't leaping off the page. Definitely the core of a good XV though.

How good is Jules Plisson and Palis? Nickoldschool? Ben S?

Hope France can breakthough. Some exciting players in that squad. Problem with the November tests SH V NH, is the structure. All the NH players are in there club season, they are asked 1 week to prepare as team for test. Where as the SH sides, have been with each other for months so are switched on, and not rusty as a unit. Then come World Cup we see the NH V SH evens up. I don't think the NH should be more accomidating to test rugby. Club rugby is the lifeblood and heartland of rugby fans in Europe, to many more than there national team, like with soccer, save the national team hype for the Euros and the World Cup. And the domestic comp and the Heinekan Cup. But the Europeans love there 6 nations there de-facto Euro championship, more than the NH V SH November money spinner exhibition games.