Despite loss to England, French showcase the players and style of rugby’s future
For 65 minutes on Saturday, every English fan of rugby union watched with bated breath as two young, inexperienced French half-backs poked and prodded their countrymen to within 3 points of their opponents, the aging English juggernaut.
French scrum-half Morgan Parra and fly-half François Trinh-Duc, just 19 and 21 years of age with only 6 caps between them, showed courage and tenacity beyond their years. The young half-backs performed almost flawlessly with Parra testing the forwards at every opportunity around the break-downs/set pieces and Trinh-Duc slicing through the mid-field.
However, France could not convert these opportunities into enough points to take the lead. Although the midfield attack and defense in general were excellent, the wide French attack that has been so successful during this campaign for the likes of Cédric Heymans and Vincent Clerc sputtered frustratingly as the English slide defense grappled the players ‘ball-and-all’ into touch not less than four times. In addition to penalties, the typically reliable replacement fly-half David Skrela prevented a final French assault with a knock-on on the French 5 metre line with the scoreline in favor of England by just 6 points.
Abdel Benazzi, a personal hero and former captain of Les Blues during the 1997 Five Nations campaign, commented during the broadcast of the match that France needed ‘to get some experienced players’ on the pitch. But I don’t think the problem was with experience. In fact, I don’t think there was a problem at all.
As they always do, the French ensure player depth by constantly rotating players in their 1st XV side. Saturdays contest in Saint-Denis was no different. Key players such as Parra and Trinh-Duc - who likely have a role in the 2011 Rugby World Cup - received some invaluable experience against their main competition. In addition, France showed that they are already adapting their game play to the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) now being trialed in the Super 14 and expected in the north in 2009. There is even talk that the French and Irish summer tests against Australia will be played under the these new laws.
Once the ELVs reach the northern hemisphere, France look ready to take advantage with the youthful, daring style they showed this weekend as they consistently ran the ball from behind their own 22 metre line. Even the penalties given away by the French will evaporate, as most offenses will be free kicks under the ELVs.
Unfortunately, England is still relying primarily on the same old players and the same old game plan: grind the ball up front and make room for their star kicker Jonny Wilkinson. Once ‘Wilco ‘ plays his swan song, the oft-described ‘pragmatic’ England are poorly equipped for the future of the sport. Le future est la France, n’est-ce pas?
(On Feb 25th, 2008 at 5:22 pm)
I agree about the player depth theory. It appears Warren Gatland is doing the same with Wales or at least his perogative is to create competition within the club so no one becomes complacent with their position.
I’m hopnig Ireland is learning from these two clubs and it seems they’re on their way now that they’re letting their young talent in the game. For a while and up until a month ago, Ireland were like England, relying on their standard players. Hopefully all clubs follow suit with France because the key to their success in the last 10 years has been their depth and development of their young players.
Ireland has very impressive U-19, U-21 and U-23 squads. In fact their U-21 team reached the U-21 World Cup final only to lose to New Zealand in 2004. But for some reason they’ve chosen to wait until these guys are 25 to even consider giving them test experience. For some reason though, England has had success with their dinosaurs over the years, so lets not completely disregard experience since that’s what you rely on so heavily these days grandpa!
(On Feb 25th, 2008 at 5:36 pm)
Grandpa indeed! Go dinosaurs!
(On Feb 26th, 2008 at 8:00 am)
While I agree that Parra in particular competed well (and looks a great prospect for the future) you have to question the French tactic of running the ball from side to side all night. I can’t see that how playing under the ELVs will make any difference to tactics which were just plain dumb.
You also have to ask whether it’s a good thing that “the penalties given away by the French will evaporate, as most offenses will be free kicks under the ELVs.” Surely it’s disastrous for the sport if players can effectively cheat with impunity?
As for England’s depth you obviously have very little knowledge of the English domestic game where there are several seriously talented youngsters waiting for their opportunity - the trick will be how and when to introduce them to the national team and, although personally I’d have liked to have seen a few more playing in this Six Nations, don’t doubt that the talent is there.
(On Feb 26th, 2008 at 8:20 am)
Of course England has the talent, but I would argue that France has much more depth in ‘test experience’ than almost any of the top 10 rugby playing nations.
And surely you are tired of England winning matches based on penalty kicks. Wouldn’t you prefer more contest in open play? I don’t expect more infractions due to the ELVs, just less infractions that result in kicking for points.
(On Feb 26th, 2008 at 10:10 am)
You can’t even contest the fact that France has more depth than England or many other nations.
And I agree with Vic that the ELV’s won’t promote or result in more infringments. Offsides and foul play will stil be penalties and referees will not be any less likely to issue yellow cards for offenses that will soon be free kick offenses.
In fact, I would expect a referee to issue yellow cards more frequently for inside the 22m infractions that would have simply been a penalty kick. So while we’ll see less penalty kicks, I think you’ll see less instances of idiots killing the ball at scoring opportunities.
(On Feb 26th, 2008 at 10:21 am)
Re France’s depth - possibly, but currently it’s only a matter of a few caps in certain positions - as I say, I’d like to have seen more of the youngsters involved with England and it’s inevitable that they will be at some stage (I hope) - but also don’t forget that England have introduced new players at numbers 6, 8, 9, 10 (briefly) and 11 so far this tournament. I only wish they’d very quickly add numbers 2 and 15 to that list (permanently). France’s biggest problem is lack of depth in the front row but, like Australia, they must be praying that the ELVs will come riding to the rescue in this area.
As for England winning matches based on penalties (and setting aside that we outscored France 2 tries to 1 on Saturday and 1 try to 0 in the RWC semi) if the opposition are going to commit offences to stop us playing then what else should we do?
Mark my words, the free kick is a total cop out. Take this scenario - England (or New Zealand or anyone else for that matter are on the attack just outside the oppo’s 22. Tackle made, ruck forms, defence manages to get a hand on the ball and slow it down, killing the momentum of the attack. Current sanction: penalty = 3 points or a kick to the corner and chance of try from lineout (so a defender with any sense will leave well alone or will knowingly sacrifice 3 points). ELV Sanction: free kick = possession only, or a scrummage at best (so the defender’s choice is easy). Rugby players are not fools and will use the new laws to their advantage.
The idea that tries are everything and that the laws of the game should be reduced to their lowest common denominator to make the game simpler for the sofa-bound soap-opera generation is just a joke. If they want to watch a simple game where each team takes turns to score they should try watching sevens…or better still, basketball. Rugby is by its very nature more complex, is all the more compelling because of such complexity and long may it continue to be so.
And don’t get me stared on the effect the ELVs are likely to have at grassroots level…
Rant over
(On Feb 26th, 2008 at 11:32 am)
Very compelling argument on the ELV’s. I’ve gone back and forth on my feelings towards the affect they’ll have. But I see your point and can’t say there’s not a large element of truth there.
(On Feb 26th, 2008 at 11:47 am)
I wonder if you guys have watched the ELVs in action. The Super 14 is going well, the ELVs having little effect on infraction rates and lots of effect on the length of time the ball remains in play. And what is more satisfying to a rugby player, a kick at goal or a 5 metre lineout? I think any true fan of the sport wants the competition to be more about who can play the game of rugby better, not just who has the best kicker.
As for slowing the ball down, England’s whole strategy is based on this. If you are worried that the ELVs will increase ball recycling times, then you should be thrilled as England will be a lot more successful.
Finally, a major reason for the ELVs was to make officiating easier and more accurate, especially at the breakdown/contact phases. I truly believe that the game will also be more exciting and draw more fans to the couch and to the stadiums. Remember, the fans are the ones who attract advertisers, and together these two groups fund the Professional teams. Without this, none of us will have any rugby to watch.
(On Feb 26th, 2008 at 1:40 pm)
O, and one of England’s try’s came from a knock-on that the referee missed
(On Feb 27th, 2008 at 12:19 pm)
You’re defining “the game of rugby” as you see it. It’s not necessarily the way others see it. Other “true fans” may see kicking as a fundamental part of the game, which is an argument I’ve heard before.
(On Feb 27th, 2008 at 1:02 pm)
I agree Josh, but from my limited experience in club play, I don’t think i ever met a player who would prfer to go for points. And kicking is still a part of the game, noone wants that taken away entirely.
(On Feb 27th, 2008 at 3:36 pm)
Lievremont just dropped Parra from the next match, and benched Trinh-Duc along with 6 other changes. There can now be no dispute about the depth of the French squad.
(On Feb 27th, 2008 at 4:35 pm)
I agree, I’ve never met a player who would rather go for points, but almost every player I’ve ever met would rather win regardless if it’s done by 10 penalty kicks or 3 tries. I just worry that rugby is catering to the fans too much. They changed the rules in hockey to promote scoring because fans got tired of 1-0 games and ties. No one in the NBA plays defense anymore and it’s just a scoring spectacle.
On the French changes, lets not jump to conclusions. Just because they made 6 changes doesn’t mean the 6 replacments will get the job done. But of course they are playing Italy and with Bergamasco suspended for 13 weeks and Del Fava’s suspension coming, they could call you and I up to play.
I’m starting to wonder though if Lievremont’s constant tinkering with the line up is what caused their forwards collapse against Ireland and their further woes against England.
(On Feb 27th, 2008 at 7:58 pm)
“There can now be no dispute about the depth of the French squad.”
Huh? Why not? Just because he’s dropped a bunch of players and picked another bunch doesn’t mean he’s creating strength in depth.
Dropping Parra (great game all round), Dusutoir (best French tackle stats v England) and Bonnaire (who ruled the lineout) is just perverse.
I was initially impressed with Lievremont’s approach to this Six Nations but now it’s looking like more of a random approach with no underlying plan.
More doesn’t necesarily = better.