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[jim_57]

OK it's International season and I was just thinking about the 4N next year (already). Just thinking how much of an improvemnt could we expect of them if they could ever get close to their full strength side. Personally I think they could give England or a complacent NZ or Australia a decent game, maybe even spring an upset. I know people will use recent result but TBF to France they haven't gone into a game in the last few years with less than 6-7-8 injuries which is always going to seriously affect a side with so little depth.

Hypothetical - Imagine if France lost:
Greenshields, Duport, Bosc, Elima, Ferriol, Villegas, Baile and Goassard.

Now let's say England lose a similar player for each one:
S Tomkins, T Briscoe, Eastmond, Ellis, Graham, Brown, Bridge and Westwood.

It ould seriously affect England's results nobody can deny, so put into perspective how much it costs France who have less depth to lose those amount of players. Looking back on last years 4N they did extremely well IMO.

Now a potential full strength squad: Catalans, Toulouse, Elite, Other SL

1. Greenshields
2. Stacul
3. Duport
4. Baille
5. Vaccari
6. Bosc
7. Greseque
8. Ferriol
9. K Bentley
10. Casty
11. Elima
12. Raguin
13. Mounis

14. Villegas
15. Griffi
16. Fakir
17. Gossard

18. Martins
19. Baiteri
20. A Bentley
21. Planas
22. Gigot
23. Saddauoi
24. Maria

By my count that makes 20/24 Full time professionals and add to that Greseque who could be a SL star if he set his mind to it. If France can ever get something close to resembling this on the park then they'll be a decent chance of an upset IMO.

Edited by jim_57, 15 October 2010 - 02:12 PM.