Lievremont omits mercurial Michalak from squad

FREDERIC Michalak’s omission from the 30-strong France training squad for the Six Nations is neither a surprise nor a shock as the French rugby establishment opt once again to shun his mercurial talents for more predictable playmakers.

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.