DONAL LENIHAN: Something has to give in France
England stand alone as the tournament’s only unbeaten side but still have challenges ahead, not least a trip to Cardiff on the final day when Wales will assuredly be better than in their last outing there against Ireland.
At the other end of the scale are pre-tournament favourites France. What odds would you have got three weeks ago on Philippe Saint-Andre’s side being the only one without a win after two rounds? Given that they still have challenging trips to Twickenham and the Aviva Stadium to negotiate, there is even the possibility of a first ever Six Nations wooden spoon. Having witnessed Clermont-Auvergne, Toulon and Montpellier power their way into the last eight of the Heineken Cup, who would have thought that even possible?
Saint-Andre’s tenure as French coach has now reached its critical point less than 18 months into the job. It is difficult to rationalise the dire performances against Italy and Wales over the last two weeks with the exhilarating rugby produced on successive weekends against Australia, Argentina and Samoa last November. The personnel hasn’t changed that much, just a few injury enforced adjustments, but the panache, daring and free spirit on show then has evaporated.
With four defeats, including two at the Stade de France, in addition to the draw there against Ireland last season, the new French coach has enjoyed a paltry two wins from his first seven outings in the Six Nations. That is a shocking return but to be fair, like his predecessor Marc Lievremont, any chance of achieving a modicum of success is being eroded by the crazy demands and scheduling imposed by the French championship. It has become too powerful and too financially rewarding for the clubs and the national side is playing second fiddle to the demands of the domestic game.
International rugby and the Six Nations in particular need a strong and competitive French side, capable of selecting not only their best players, but those in a fit state to do themselves justice. Last autumn, just three months into their season, the French side breathed life, energy and enthusiasm. Against both Italy and Wales they were a carbon copy of the side that lost to Tonga at the 2011 World Cup. Personnel may change but the outcome will be the same.
Just as they did in the final of that tournament against New Zealand, France are capable of rising from the ashes of Rome and inflicting pain on some side in this championship. If that happens to be against England in Twickenham then they will do everyone else in the tournament a big favour. While that is well within their compass, the other certainty is that it is likely to be a one-off.
On Monday morning the Irish squad, many of whom were left nursing an assortment of injuries, started the rehabilitation process that will enable them to recharge the batteries for what has now become a tricky assignment in Murrayfield. Their French counterparts returned to their clubs and are now at the mercy of their coach as to whether they will be pressed into action yet again in another round of Top 14 action or given a well earned break this weekend.
Rest assured, however, in the vast majority of cases the need of the club will take precedence over the demands of the national side. That is no way to prepare for a game against England. On the weekend before they travel to Dublin, when once again the Irish players will have their feet up, the French will be back on club duty with Toulon playing Toulouse in a game that is sure to be energy-sapping. Former French coach Bernard Laporte is at the helm in Toulon but having been on the receiving end in the national job himself, will satisfy his own requirements this time out.
Given the vast amounts of money available in the club set-up in France, the players whose national prominence ensures they are well rewarded, are reluctant to challenge the powers that be and this ludicrous situation continues unabated. Something will have to give soon and another defeat to England could force an outcry from the fanatical French fans. Those still in situ on the final whistle at the Stade de France on Saturday certainly vented their frustration with yet another cacophonous round of booing which could hardly have gone unnoticed by the French Rugby Federation. Something has to give.
As for England, Jim Telfer’s ill-timed outburst prior to Scotland’s visit to London looks more out of place with each passing game. Where once they were arrogant, there is now a calm sense of humility surrounding England’s side which reflects the mood of their captain and coach. Both have become inextricably linked since their interim appointments at the outset of last year’s Six Nations. They have grown in their respective roles together and have now become the face of the new England. Even Chris Ashton appears to have turned a new leaf and his sympathetic gesture towards a clearly distraught Simon Zebo when leaving the field did not go unnoticed.
Chris Robshaw still looks a little uncertain at times when forced to make key decisions as captain but his bravery, commitment and intelligence at the breakdown mark him out as a special player and one who clearly has the respect of his players. Joe Launchbury and Geoff Parling have formed a very effective pairing in the second row and with a more disciplined Courtney Lawes waiting in the wings for his chance, England now have riches in an area that has been threadbare since the retirement of Martin Johnson.
For Ireland there is still so much to play for given that we have only one championship success since 1985 to show for all the good work done over the last decade and more. We have no right to throw our hands up in disgust just because a Grand Slam or Triple Crown are no longer on offer. In my view a Triple Crown is devalued somewhat when it is not accompanied with a Championship win and I would happily swap another Triple Crown if it meant that Ireland were to go on and win this year’s Six Nations title. There is every likelihood the side that lifts the trophy in March could do so on the back of four wins. In that scenario, Ireland are still live contenders.
The issue that could derail that prospect is further injury to key players with the already sidelined Tommy Bowe, Stephen Ferris and Paul O’Connell now joined by Simon Zebo and, one suspects, Jonny Sexton. The cited Cian Healy is another potential absentee.
The concern I have for Ireland at this stage it that the war of attrition that accompanies condensed tournaments of this nature seems to exact a bigger toll on our forward resources. Where many of our forwards are of the lean and mean variety, our opponents tend to be more hulk and bulk. Unfortunately in the modern game, that comes with a price which we are paying at the moment. Hopefully the fortnights break will serve to close the gap on that front and we will be primed and ready to pick up the pieces in Edinburgh.
