Lievremont in need of a boost

TEN MONTHS ago Marc Lievremont was the toast of France, revelling in a first Grand Slam victory since 2004 as his side demonstrated that they were the northern hemisphere outfit most likely to make an impact at the World Cup.

Fast-forward to a private members’ club in the heart of London yesterday, though, and the landscape had changed; Lievremont is now a man under pressure, and a coach unsure of what his side are going to do next.

To say the last seven months have been chastening for France would be a gross understatement.

When they ground out a 12-10 victory over England in March, they had completed a Six Nations that demonstrated that the French could still combine flair and brawn.

Then they went on tour, and the troubles really began.

A 42-17 defeat to South Africa was bad enough, but to lose by 28 points in Argentina was a disaster. Yet their troubles in Paris this autumn were even more grave. Drawing 13-13 with Australia at half-time, the French simply went to pieces as the Wallabies ran in six unanswered tries to claim an astonishing 59-16 victory.

Just two months on, the wounds have clearly not yet healed, and Lievremont heads into this 6 Nations with his reputation on the line.

The French public, never the most forgiving at the best of times, are turning against him, and if his side are astonishingly abject it is not inconceivable that the coach will be replaced before the World Cup.

That is highly unlikely, but this is now Lievremont’s squad and his judgment needs to be vindicated by results.

Having been ridiculed for using 57 players during his first 18 months at the helm, Lievremont now has a core of players who he trusts, with the notable exception of the talented but ill-disciplined Mathieu Bastareaud, who has repeatedly ignored warnings to lose weight.

Indeed, changes behind the scenes could have a greater impact. Lievremont’s right-hand men, forwards coach Didier Retiere and backs coach Emile Ntamack, have been sidelined to a degree, with the boss deciding to take a more hands-on approach.

With a fine set piece let down by poor-quality ball and uninspiring back play, it will be interesting to see if the rumblings of discontent coming from the French camp are quelled by more direct contact with the head coach.

“We must strike a balance between what happened at the beginning of 2010, when we got good results, and June, which was not good,” said Lievremont, whose side open their campaign against Scotland a week on Saturday.

“Then there is the disaster against Australia — we must take the lessons from that.

“It’s not that everything is black or white, but we have a French team that is determined and motivated, and that is what we are going with. We need a team that is complimentary and versatile. I will now choose the best team for the 6 Nations, and it will probably not be so different for the World Cup.”

Yet that appears to be a situation that the French public are less than happy about. Why, they reason, would a side that shipped 59 points to Australia be able to triumph in New Zealand later this year?

It is a fair question, but part of the problem may be that the French are happier away from home. The French crowd can turn on their own side, and it is possible that the likes of Damien Traille, Francois Trinh-Duc and Alexis Palisson will be liberated by not playing in front of their own fans.

Yet Lievremont is not stupid enough to criticise his own supporters as he faces a win-or-bust 6 Nations.

“I don’t think the Stade de France is particularly bad for us — in fact I think it is our new play-pen,” said Lievremont in a turn of phrase that you could hardly imagine being uttered by Declan Kidney or Martin Johnson.

“It is true that we have had fantastic wins in the Stade de France, but also very cruel defeats, as is the case in the last match. Of course, we were booed two months ago, but it is now a question of getting the confidence of the spectators back, and I think we can do very well there. Personally, I am looking forward to it.”

Unfortunately, he might be the only Frenchman who is.