Lievremont omits mercurial Michalak from squad
There is no doubt that Michalak is a prodigious talent and one who, on his day, can easily match and even outclass the world’s leading game-breakers. On his off days, however, he incurs the wrath of scathing fans and media alike, often to a degree rarely seen with other under-performing players.
“I’m disappointed to not be playing for the national team. But as happens every time, I tell myself that I have to keep on working and test myself in order to get picked again,” he said.
Michalak only returned to French club rugby in November after helping steer the Sharks past the Blue Bulls in South Africa’s Currie Cup final, but his wavering form for Toulouse has failed to impress France coach Marc Lievremont.
Lievremont, on Tuesday, said: “Two years ago, even if he had not mastered everything, he had this talent to make the difference in a game but he hardly does that today. In my opinion, he’s a scrum-half.”
Backs coach Emile Ntamack added: “Today he’s a bit behind. That’s not something that interests us because we want a player who’s consistent.”
One person shocked by Michalak’s failure to make the squad, let alone be France’s stand-out outside-half, was Sharks coach Dick Muir, who even shifted talented Springbok Francois Steyn out to inside-centre to accommodate him in the Natal team.
“I find it absolutely incredible that Fred hasn’t his place in the France XV,” Muir told L’Equipe. “The French coaches must have some great players at their disposal! Fred is a marvellous talent, exceptional gift for the game and sometimes offers up some magical moments. Also, his ability to play both at 9 and 10 is unmatched. It’s a bonus that allows you to have a subs bench of five forwards and just two backs.
“Everyone here was sorry to see him go. As soon as he sniffs the slightest gap, he is dangerous and he knows how to create space for his team-mates. We were also pleasantly surprised by his defensive qualities.”
Lievremont plumped for just one specialist No 10 in Lionel Beauxis, who ironically has been playing much of his club rugby for Stade Francais at full-back and missed all the November internationals because of injury.
The squad will take part in a training camp at the squad’s base in Marcoussis from January 26-28, after which Lievremont will trim the group to 23 ahead of France’s opening match of the Six Nations, against Ireland on February 7.
France’s provisional 30-man training-camp squad: Backs: M Medard, C Poitrenaud, C Heymans (all Toulouse), A Palisson (Brive), J Malzieu, A Rougerie (both Clermont-Auvergne), Y Jauzion, F Fritz (both Toulouse), B Baby (Clermont-Auvergne), M Mermoz (Perpignan), L Beauxis (Stade Francais), J Elissalde (Toulouse), S Tillous-Borde (Castres), M Parra (Bourgoin).
Forwards: J Bonnaire (Clermont-Auvergne), T Dusautoir (Toulouse), F Ouedraogo, L Picamoles (both Montpellier), D Chouly (Perpignan), S Chabal (Sale), L Nallet (Castres), R Millo-Chluski (Toulouse), J Thion (Biarritz), G Guirado (Perpignan), B Kayser (Leicester), D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), N Mas (Perpignan), L Faure (Sale), F Barcella (Biarritz), F Lecouls (Toulouse).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
