In his column in The Independent, former England boss Brian Ashton salutes the potency of the French midfield in this year's 6 Nations and talks up Les Bleus' chances of winning next year's World Cup.
"By allowing the much-maligned Marc Lièvremont to make decisions that seemed bizarre at the time – changing half the team from one game to the next appeared to be a firm strategy during the first two years of his tenure – the French hierarchy may have struck gold.
"The side is not yet a vintage one, but the all-round solidity of their game and the presence of a good many multifaceted footballers (as opposed to one-dimensional, so-called ball-carriers!) who make a point of playing the game on their feet make a strong base on which to build. Add to this a high work rate in defence and the rediscovery of a typically French brand of support running and you have a side that will take some stopping.
"There were times against Wales last time out when the French discipline all but disappeared: proof that when a team puts them under sustained, dynamic pressure they are as vulnerable as anyone. On balance, though, they are favourites to win the title. Who knows? They might even make a serious impact in New Zealand in 18 months' time. History tells us that they know what it takes to win there."
RSS feed
