We’re in ‘competition mode’, warn French

FRANCE coach Marc Lièvremont has thrown down the gauntlet to his players ahead of Saturday’s World Cup warm-up with Ireland in Bordeaux by declaring that Les Bleus are now in “competition mode”.

We’re in ‘competition mode’, warn French
Thu, 11 Aug, 2011 - 01:00
Ian Moriarty

Powerful Biarritz Olympique No.8 Raphael Lafakia has been handed a first appearance in national colours after a hugely impressive Top 14 campaign while there is also the return of young Perpignan centre Maxime Mermoz to a side which shows only four survivors from France’s 25-22 win at the Aviva Stadium in February.

“We’re looking forward to it,” explained Lièvremont at the team announcement in Bordeaux yesterday.

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CourtsRugbyPlace: BordeauxPlace: PerpignanPlace: FrancePlace: Aviva StadiumPlace: New ZealandPlace: DublinPerson: Marc LievremontPerson: Raphael LafakiaPerson: Maxime MermozPerson: LievremontPerson: Vincent ClercPerson: Dimitri YachvilliPerson: Sylvain MarconnetPerson: Dimitri SzarzewskiPerson: Damien TraillePerson: Imanol HarinordoquyPerson: Thierry DusautoirPerson: Thomas DomingoPerson: Nicolas MasPerson: William ServatPerson: ServatPerson: MasPerson: DomingoPerson: Fabien BarcellaPerson: MarconnetPerson: Castrais Luc DucalconPerson: TraillePerson: ClercPerson: MartyPerson: MermozPerson: PalissonPerson: Trinh-DucPerson: YachviliPerson: SzarzewskiPerson: DucalconPerson: PierrePerson: Millo-ChluskiPerson: DusautoirPerson: HarinordoquyPerson: LakafiaPerson: GuiradoPerson: PouxPerson: NalletPerson: BonnairePerson: ParraPerson: SkrelaPerson: MedardEvent: World CupEvent: Six NationsOrganisation: IrelandOrganisation: Les BleusOrganisation: Biarritz OlympiqueOrganisation: FranceOrganisation: ToulouseOrganisation: Biarritz
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Donal Lenihan
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