6N countdown: TOL's team-by-team guide: No 1 – France … according to 'the ex-pro turned top pundit'
Yesterday at 07:01 AM
IN a quest to really get under the skin of the six competing teams, to understand their strengths and weakness, what drives them and what particular challenges they will face in this championship, Iain Morrison has spoken to six individuals with a unique insight to the country they have, through one route or another, come to call home.
First up is Johnnie Beattie, a swashbuckling No 8 who earned 38 caps for Scotland between 2006 and 2015. He quit Glasgow Warriors for France where he played for Montpellier, Castres and Bayonne. His family have made their home in France and he is much sought after as a pundit on all things pertaining to French rugby.
La France
1. Am I right in thinking that you left Glasgow for Montpellier which was coached by Fabien Galthié !?
Yup, that's right. I moved to Montpellier in 2012 and Galthié combined coaching the club with being the main co-commentator/analyst for Television de France, the national broadcaster. He signed me from Glasgow and he was working with Mario Ledesma and Stéphane Glas. Fabien was by a very long way the best coach that I ever worked with in 16 years as a pro! He was incredibly gifted, with a wonderful balance of technical and strategic understanding. It was the best rugby I ever played, that two years at Montpellier. Fabien was a very good teacher. He had an answer for every question you may have and Montpellier was way far ahead of where Scotland were at the time.
2. Are you surprised he survived?
No, I am not surprised that Galthié survived. France are resurgent and exciting to watch. Les Blues are back in the eye of the public with a great set of results. Fabien is clearly the best coach for me although (Toulouse coach) Ugo Mola may be the next in line. French rugby is riding a wave of enthusiasm and excitement with lots of young French kids coming through. In terms of profile, Antoine Dupont is right up there with (swimmer) Leon Marchand and (footballer) Kylian Mbappe.
3. France should be there or thereabouts. Always?
Yes, of course, France should be challenging but to my mind at least they usually are! They have great playing numbers at their hands. They have huge numbers alongside England and South Africa. In France they have three (mostly) fully professional leagues! France should be first or second every single year. One centre in the squad, Noah Nene, plays for Dax in the ProD2.
4. Uini Atonio was injured against the Sharks … is there sufficient back up at tight-head!?
There is still an abundance of tight-heads. There are loads of young French players. Dorian Aldegheri is starting for Toulouse every week. Georges-Henri Colombe is at La Rochelle. He has been clocked at 33/34 KPH by the GPS on his back. A big, relaxed guy from Martinique and a fantastic athlete. Rabah Slimani (Leinster) has not been selected for three years or so but he is back in the picture and guarantees scrum stability.
5. After a stodgy Autumn will the return of Romain N'tamack see France ‘jouez jouez’ a bit more?
Will France open up and play a bit more rugby? I honestly don't know but they have the skillset if they want to."
6. How many players will Toulouse provide?
Cyril Baille is coming back from injury, Atonio if he's fit and both hookers, Peato Mauvaka and Julien Marchand. At lock, you should see Emmanuel Meafou at four and Thibaud Flament at five. Anthony Jelonch has pulled out but Franscois Cros will probably start. So, probably five or six in the pack from Toulouse. Three in the backs, Antoine Dupont, Romain N'tamack and Thomas Ramos at fullback. I am told that another Toulousain, Pierre-Louis Barassi is currently running at 12, so maybe four!
7. Who is the biggest loss?
Anthony Jelonch, my old team-mate from Castres, a lovely fella. I was disappointed to see him drop out after picking up a knock at the weekend. But he will likely be replaced in the starting XV by (La Rochelle's) Paul Boudehent who is also 6' 5" and 110 kgs! A real worker.
Gaël Fickou also leaves a huge hole. He is the defensive leader for the backline. He is a calming influence on everyone around him and a big loss.
Fickou’s absence and that of Jonathan Danty in the midfield means that the Bordeaux-Begles duo of Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortère may get a chance to reprise their club double act in French colours … unless the rumours about Barassi are true?
NOTE: The France team to Wales in round one has now been selected with Barassi at inside-centre.
8. How will the Six Nations table look after the final ball has been kicked on 15th March?
It would have been different if you asked me before Sione Tuipulotu's injury but here we are ….
France
Ireland
Scotland
England
Italy
Wales picking up the wooden spoon
France launch their Six Nations campaign with against Wales at Stade de France on Friday night, kick-off time 8.15pm, live on ITV.
- You can book your Six Nations hospitality and VIP tickets with Seat Unique HERE, an Official Hospitality Partner of The Murrayfield Experience
6N: Steve Tandy delivers positive Scotland squad update ahead of Italy curtain-raiser
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