Lievremont angered by Bastareaud comments
Speaking at the France team announcement at Marcoussis yesterday, Lièvremont called the 22-year-old centre “helpless” following Bastareaud’s decision to go public with a “reveal-all” interview on Monday where he said his international career was over.
“Must I speak about it, really?” Lièvremont asked reporters before questioning the advice Bastareaud had been given by Stade Francais management.
“One senses an especially helpless lad and it’s sad rather than anything else,” he said. “Even if I’ve believed in his potential, I’ve got to take the competitive players and responsible lads. I’m not sure he meets either of the two conditions.”
Lièvremont claimed the player had been given bad advice by Stade Francais coach Michael Cheika and president Max Guazzini. He added: “Once again, I regret the manner in which he has been advised and how it has been expressed. Just so you all know, I was hit with an insulting message from the president on the night the (French Six Nations) squad was selected. I also tried to call (Michael Cheika) who didn’t take the time to call me back.”
However former Leinster boss Cheika hit back at Lièvremont’s comments, claiming the France coach was “looking for excuses.
“He must concentrate on his work and put together the best team to beat Ireland,” declared Cheika. “He shouldn’t (have) been speaking about any communication with me as it’s nothing to do with the game this weekend. I’ve nothing to do with the French team. If he’s talking about us, he’s already looking for excuses.”
Bastareaud was left out of the Six Nations panel last month but claimed in the interview with Midi Olympique that he had been devastated by Lièvremont’s decision to publicly rebuke the player for his poor fitness levels and motivation.
Surprisingly, Lièvremont made just one change from the side that beat Scotland so impressively on Saturday. Damien Traille moves from full back to centre in place of the injured Maxime Mermoz while Toulouse’s Clement Poitrenaud wins his 43rd cap in the vacated full back spot.
Lièvremont said he was expecting a much more direct game from Ireland than what France had encountered against Scotland. “It’s stability that we have prioritised. Pierre and Nallet put in some good performances on Saturday, as did the back row. Given the way the Irish play, there will be a lot more kicking and line outs. The Irish play a more direct game. When they catch ‘garryowens’ they kick them straight to touch. We’re conscious that we’ll have to do better in these areas. Ireland found it tough to get stuck into the thick of things (last weekend) so we’re expecting a big rise in performance on Sunday. They are also expecting a few players to return. Having a few players missing didn’t help them in Italy but the context will be favourable for them now. They still managed to create chances in Italy and beat a team that has really come on. This weekend will be something different.”
Former Leinster coach Cheika said he believed it would be difficult for France this weekend.
“(Ireland) have a strong mentality at home,” he added. “They’re a mature team in spite of injuries. When their attack functions, it works really efficiently.”
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