David starts for France
9 Nov 2009
Marc Lievremont has selected powerful centre Yann David in his team to play the Springboks in Toulouse on Friday.
In an obvious ploy to attempt to expose Adi Jacobs’ frail midfield defence, Lievremont has opted for the 105kg 21-year-old ahead of David Marty and out-of-form Yannick Jauzion.
‘We wanted more strength and explosiveness to start in the midfield,’ said Lievremont. ‘We wanted robustness and looked at the weaknesses of South Africa. That’s why we chose Yann.’
‘The key word is the advantage line,’ said backs coach Emile N’Tamack. ‘It’s a fight we don’t want to lose, that’s why we’ve gone for the beefier option.’
David has started just one Test, against Italy last year, and will line-up alongside Toulouse team-mates Cedric Heymans and Vincent Clerc. Damien Traille has been selected at fullback for his kicking game, while Julien Dupuy and Francois Trinh-Duc are the halfbacks. Dupuy will take the kicks at goal.
Louis Picamoles is selected at No 8 ahead of Julien Bonnaire, while Nicolas Mas was chosen at tighthead instead of Sylvain Marconnet.
The side includes 10 of the starting XV that beat New Zealand in Dunedin in June, and comprises strong forward reserves in Dimitri Szarzewski, Marconnet and Sebastien Chabal. Frederic Michalak was called up to the greater squad but can’t find a place in the 22.
France – 15 Damien Traille, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Yann David, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Cedric Heymans, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Julien Dupuy, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (c), 5 Romain Millo-Chluski, 4 Lionel Nallet, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 William Servat, 3 Fabien Barcella.
Subs: 16 Dimitri Szarzewski, 17 Sylvain Marconnet, 18 Sebastien Chabal, 19 Julien Bonnaire, 20 Morgan Parra, 21 David Marty, 22 Maxime Médard.
72 Comments
9 Nov 2009, 11:13 am
oh, and some more french dragons…
9 Nov 2009, 11:16 am
BH…YOUR PERSPECTIVES BOET?
9 Nov 2009, 11:32 am
No Jauzion?
And who will cover flyhalf?
Otherwise, this is one formidable team.
9 Nov 2009, 11:33 am
i’m glad adi is playing. it is the only way to prove to peter div that he is not a 12.
9 Nov 2009, 11:34 am
god help us all if adi has a good game though…
9 Nov 2009, 11:36 am
6 caps between their centres and a centre playing fullback! JF to calve them up all afternoon if our pack gets some go forward ball.
9 Nov 2009, 11:40 am
Adi is going to be put on his backside all night by this guy.
Adi will not have a good game on friday, he’s been poor all season and has done little to prove he is worthy of a spot in the team. If he starts, which he surely will in div’s bizarre world, then he will be in for a long evening.
9 Nov 2009, 11:45 am
Go get me a beer. I want to see Adi dominate David.
9 Nov 2009, 11:51 am
David is playing 13…Adi is 12. JF is the man in the firing line here, and I’ve got confidence he’ll stand up well to the test that this big youngster brings.
9 Nov 2009, 11:54 am
#4 die denker: I’m right with you on this one. It seems that some lessons have to be learnt the hard way – especially if PdV is the coach.
9 Nov 2009, 11:54 am
#2 grant10: Adi in trouble
even Wilkinson had trouble stopping this guy. Backrow is awesome but Bok front five is better in tight/loose and lineouts.
9 Nov 2009, 11:58 am
No JDV to defend hard and give JF ball… no Frans Steyn at 15… night night!
9 Nov 2009, 11:59 am
Whether he’s a 13 doesnt matter, if he’s clever he’ll run in and attack Adi’s channel
9 Nov 2009, 12:04 pm
whatever, Adi is going to belly-bounce this guy into touch all night long.
9 Nov 2009, 12:08 pm
#14 AndrewBK: in fairness Adi has taken on Roberts and Nonu, he can’t be that bad a defender
9 Nov 2009, 12:09 pm
#13 WP_: A bit harder when he’s running back tpwards Adi, and the rest of our pack cover tackling…
9 Nov 2009, 12:11 pm
#15 Big Hit: i guess the only thing we will be missing is that Adi won’t be knocking them backwards, but it’s not like he’s tissue paper or anything.
9 Nov 2009, 12:11 pm
France have left their power players on the bench,
16-Dimitri Szarzewski, 17-Sylvain Marconnet, 18-Sebastien Chabal, 19-Julien Bonnaire
will they bring them on at 60 minutes when the Bok players tire?
SA need to build a lead in the first hour which will last the 80, get kicking M.Steyn.
9 Nov 2009, 12:18 pm
#17 AndrewBK: He’ll be dancing around them. I doubt a 105kg centre is the most nimble person in the backline.
9 Nov 2009, 12:18 pm
#19 Mutant: On attack I mean.
9 Nov 2009, 12:20 pm
Hehehe…when Adi Jacobs misses a tackle it’s a tragedy…when any other player miss one it a communication error…
9 Nov 2009, 12:28 pm
Strong team this. Selected a big strong fullback. Good bench for the last 20 min. Strong Centers.They have done there homework on the boks. Gonna be a tough night.
9 Nov 2009, 12:30 pm
#20 Mutant: lol
9 Nov 2009, 12:30 pm
#15 Big Hit: And they were not even his direct opponent…
9 Nov 2009, 12:32 pm
i don’t mean to throw a spanner in the works, but is it 100% certain that Adi will be starting at 12 this weekend? or is this another “open secret.”
9 Nov 2009, 12:35 pm
#25 AndrewBK: Like his defence is a “myth”…The Keo clan can answer that for you, they have a reliable source in the Bok camp
9 Nov 2009, 12:38 pm
This is going to be the toughest game of the year for the boks.
9 Nov 2009, 12:41 pm
#19 Mutant: You only dance until you get hit the first time. After that you dance to another tune
9 Nov 2009, 12:53 pm
This is a strong team. Boks’ biggest test on this tour by some distance. IMO the Boks’ biggest test this year.
9 Nov 2009, 12:59 pm
If this oke is playing outside center – he is Adi’s man to mark. Remember – scrummie marks flyhalf, 10 marks 12 etc etc….
Adi will be fine. Remember, on the drift defense, you seldom if ever get one on ones….
I think their backline is ok (average). Monster pack though. If we win – it has to be because Beast, Bizzie and Smit have a monster.
9 Nov 2009, 13:00 pm
Does anyone know who is reffing the game?? I hope it is Craig Joubert
9 Nov 2009, 13:05 pm
#31 Cheetha Champs: Barnesy
9 Nov 2009, 13:06 pm
#25 AndrewBK:
As he’s in the 15 man starting squad that’s only leaving on Tuesday, it’s a good bet.
9 Nov 2009, 13:08 pm
#32 Big Hit:
Damn, I suppose he’ll get another call from Gordon Brown to remind him that France is a Euro partner.
9 Nov 2009, 13:10 pm
#34 David: If its Brown, he’ll probably get the wrong guy at the end of the line!
9 Nov 2009, 13:20 pm
Adi will be fine. He and Fourie will be solid when defending and should pose a huge number of questions on attack. I’m very happy with this midfield and will settle for either Olivier or De Jongh on the bench.
9 Nov 2009, 14:08 pm
#16 Mutant: true that.
#18 Big Hit: Medard is on the bench, he could be dangerous coming on when we are tired.
That’s if we do tire…
9 Nov 2009, 14:08 pm
One thing i can say about Adi is that he always playd hes best rugga when everyone has written him off….like now, so im hoping he has a good game friday. But its obvious why theyl attack hes channel, not having a good season thus far
9 Nov 2009, 14:10 pm
Very conservative lineup from Leivremont, he seems to finally be narrowing down what style he wants to play. The backs are all of the stronger-heavier variety at 10, 12, 13, and less of the twinkletoes with only the pace and superb lines of both wingers to add any real Gallic flair. Clearly also persuaded by S.T. combinations playing on home turf. Not sure about Dupuy, he can be flaky, but Elissade loses out with S.T. selecting him at 10 just to accomodate Kelleher at 9.
Add Traille at FB instead of the more mesmeric Medard and its clear France will be planning to beef-up to the Boks and punch on the counterattack. Which is really matching the Boks own tactics.
France have a superb bench, real flair options in Szarzewski, Chabal, Parra and Médard.
Gonna be SOME match, cant wait.
9 Nov 2009, 14:14 pm
what sort of name is Yann anyway?
The frogs importing Chinamen these days?
9 Nov 2009, 14:16 pm
#40 Brigadier Van Zyl: Hy’s die soul vannie span, kom man.
No, actually been French since Jan has been Dutch. If anything the Chinese have imported the name.
9 Nov 2009, 14:33 pm
#40 Brigadier Van Zyl: wow, racist much?
9 Nov 2009, 14:33 pm
There’s nothing wrong with Adi’s defence!!
He proved it against the top sides in the world!!
9 Nov 2009, 14:38 pm
#43 wpw: Like the Lions hey?
Naat…
9 Nov 2009, 14:48 pm
#44 WP_:
If you didn’t watch the game then rather don’t comment.
Poephol!!!
9 Nov 2009, 14:55 pm
#45 wpw: Who are you calling a poephol?
Answer the question dimwit…
He was ripped to shreads against the Lions. Jamie Roberts breezed past him like he wasnt even there.
And if you want to look to more recent events., go watch the highlights of the Sharks-Cheetahs semi, for Potgieter’s try the person who MISSES the tackle after JLP has picked up the ball is none other than Adi Jacobs. Shocking defender.
Was half decent last year, but poor this year.
9 Nov 2009, 15:02 pm
#42 AndrewBK:
does, or does not….”Yann”, sound chinese?
or, is it that I called the French…”frogs?”
none really know what you mean, certainly not me.
second guess much?
9 Nov 2009, 15:06 pm
Chabal on when Bakkies comes off.
What a pity.
Would love to see them going at each other.
9 Nov 2009, 15:09 pm
#47 Brigadier Van Zyl:
Dont start on poor Monsieur Yann, how do you think young Szarzewski’s family are feeling back home in their French colony….?
9 Nov 2009, 15:18 pm
#49 WakaNathan:
Yeah, for all we know he could have Aussie heritage?
:lol;
9 Nov 2009, 15:20 pm
#46 WP_: The same happened to the World’s Greatest 13..but nothing said
9 Nov 2009, 15:43 pm
Charlie
When did that happen? other than in your imagination?
9 Nov 2009, 16:19 pm
LISTEN TO ME PEOPLE.
I was korrek for Rose and Johnson so I shall be right on these prediction.
1.) This France team can beat us .
2.) They will beat us by 8.
3.) Earl Rose is our only chance at glory. Hes style is what for France we need fast and using skills that no one has.
4.) We pick Earl – We win . Yes .
5.) Brussow must look after Dusatoir and Danie has to smash Hardinodoquy.
9 Nov 2009, 16:22 pm
#52 WP_: Bro it’s time to get rid of that 37cm T.V & get a 50″ Plasma otherwise your going to miss a lot…
9 Nov 2009, 16:22 pm
#53 rugbygenius: I take it you are using the word genius ironically.
9 Nov 2009, 16:26 pm
#55 stormer in a teacup: No its serious. I am right 84.5% of the time sir. And when France win because of bad selections (like leaving out Rose, Rossouw etc) you will see that Rugbygenius is right.
9 Nov 2009, 16:31 pm
#56 rugbygenius: Betting on Rose is like betting on the number 7 on the roulette table. When you win you can clean up, but you will lose too often to make it worth your while.
9 Nov 2009, 16:36 pm
#57 stormer in a teacup: But this is France Sir . Structured game like against England is not the way they play. Rose can thrive here and do the damage. Agains Ireland he can rest but he MUST play France.
9 Nov 2009, 16:42 pm
Charlie
My plasma is probably bigger than yours mate so I wouldnt talk mate.
As I suspected, it was in your imagination!
9 Nov 2009, 17:07 pm
WP_
My last comment is awaiting moderation as it contained a link to another site. Sorry of it is duplicated but here goes.
According to scrums website Adi missed no tackles (made 7)during the first test and jaque missed one even though he was on the field for a shorter time period.
go to scrum dot com . look for the lions tour and look for the match details.
The second test Adi missed 1 out of 4 and Jaque made the 1 tackle he attempted.
The third test Fourie missed none but Olivier missed 2 of 8 he attempted.
So does this prove that you have your facts wrong about Adi’s tackling abilities? Or do you just believe whatever charachter assasination keo and his ilk dish up without basing it on facts.
The stats thus proves that Wynand was a poorer tackler than Adi but you dont blast Wynand for the same thing.
9 Nov 2009, 18:19 pm
I dont think that whatever site that is, counts it as a missed tackle if the person doesnt even lay a hand on their opponent. Which is what Adi did on a few occassions.
If it says that Adi didnt miss any tackles in the first test them I cant accept that source as I credible one as it disagrees with what I say with my own eyes!
9 Nov 2009, 19:41 pm
dont think adi has anything to worry bout ,jamie roberts destoryed us in the first test but what happnened in the second when he had schalk burger on his case ,he became quiet as a mouse
9 Nov 2009, 19:52 pm
#60 moedeloos: Adi is a brilliant 13. But Fourie is better.
Adi has evolved into a solid 13 and in the process shed some of that nimble-footed instinct he had, that is why Mesiekind is a better option at 12 (in the absence of JdV).
9 Nov 2009, 20:02 pm
#62 mbaxman93:
so what you re saying is that adi doesn’t have anyhing to worry about as long as burger is playing?
9 Nov 2009, 20:10 pm
PDV ius going to be silly, and will play ADI at 12.. How sill is that??
9 Nov 2009, 20:18 pm
This is a good French team. I see an upset. I love teh Boks but these selections are not clever..
9 Nov 2009, 20:20 pm
France to lose in Toulouse!
10 Nov 2009, 01:15 am
The real danger man in that team is Louis Picamoles… he is an absolute monster. He almost allways beats the first tackler and is an excellent offloader. I’ve seen him beat 5 defenders in a row. Francois Trinh-Duc is another, he is outrageously talented and deceptively strong.
10 Nov 2009, 05:23 am
Don’t be too worried by this French team. They’ve been together less than a week and have not played together since mid-June. In the meantime the boks have played 8 test matchs and have spent much more time than the French. These latter will be better when they play the ABs in Marseilles two weeks later.
If the Boks stick to their gameplan and that’s what they have done almost all the season they will defeat comprehensively this talented French side.
10 Nov 2009, 06:11 am
“Our sport is changing but the fundamentals are the same. A rugby game, and particularly a game against the Springboks, is above all a fight between two packs of forwards.”
Awesome statement by Imanol Harinordoquy, in the French side to play the Boks on Friday.
10 Nov 2009, 06:13 am
Asked if he agreed with Lucien Mias, captain of the first France team to win a Test in South Africa in 1958 who said that “in a sport of sacrifice, the Springboks have decided once and for all to be the butcher rather than the lamb”, he answered:
“Yes, you could say they are butchers but I can assure you we are not going to be the lambs on Friday.”
10 Nov 2009, 08:37 am
#59 WP_: Oh I did’nt know that you need a big plasma if you have a lack of imagination to improve it
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