France National Team

[The Daddy]

Interested to see how France develop over the next few years, especially with there being 2 French SL teams. Hopefully both Toulouse and Catalan can maintain their SL status and provide the foundation of a strong France national team. 

The biggest issue for France is not the lack of talent, it's the lack of games. How can the France team or even the England team for that matter develop when there are no games in the season.

Australian has State of Origin, Northern Hemisphere RU has the Six Nations. RL in the Northern Hemisphere needs its own mid season representative competition and France and England are just natural competitors for this to happen. So I've always thought, the stronger France gets the stronger England gets too.

As an overall summary having access to a deeper pool of players from 2 teams has done the France team a world of good, it gives them more depth and options in certain positions and creates competition for places. 

What's better than having 2 teams is the fact that Toulouse is a very good professional environment with an excellent coach that spends time developing players, especially local French players. This adds to the quality and number of players.

As well as the additional players from having a second pro team there is a willingness to select heritage players. Those are players that have French ancestry.

Thus far Louis Grossemy has been selected for France and other players have been identified in Australia that are available selection. Lattrell Siegwalt is an exciting player for Souths that has played several games in the NRL and performed well that can add value to the team. 

In regards to players that qualify via residency, I think I'm correct in saying that Olly Ashall Bott and Joe Bretherton qualify for selection and maybe Jake Shorrocks maybe eligible soon.

My view on player selection through residency is that they should only be picked if they play in a position that the team lacks quality in. Olly Ashall Bott is eligible and one of the best players in the comp but you've got Morgue, Siegwalt and Aispuro-Bichet that play in that position so bringing a residency player in at fb may not be of value.

I do think France lack size and mobility at prop so you could make an argument for the selection of Bretherton to add size and mobility. On another note, I believe Joe Chan is no longer eligible for selection which is a real shame.

Looking at the squad quality, there's now quality and depth in the outside backs. It's actually really impressive to see the available players in these positions, especially young players that are starting to get game time.

Unfortunately I still think there's a lack of quality and/or depth in the pack and this is the teams achilles' heel. In international RL, the pack sizes are bigger and faster and games in RL are won mostly in the pack so it should be an area of focus for the whole of French RL. There are young props and second rowers coming through though and we'll monitor their progress. 

Anyway here is my team:

1. Morgue 2. B Laguerre 3. Tropis 4. Griffier 5. Darreltour 6. Siegwalt 7. Rouge 8. Belmas 9. Da Costa 10. Navarette 11. Maria 12. Jussaume 13. Bousquet

Replacements: Fages, Aispuro-Bichet, Sangare, Dezaria, Grossemy

 

 

Edited August 30 by The Daddy

[Archie Gordon]

I don't think OAB is eligible yet but both Chans are to my knowledge.

[Charlie]

15 minutes ago, The Daddy said:

Interested to see how France develop over the next few years, especially with there being 2 French SL teams. Hopefully both Toulouse and Catalan can maintain their SL status and provide the foundation of a strong France national team. 

The biggest issue for France is not the lack of talent, it's the lack of games. How can the France team or even the England team for that matter develop when there are no games in the season. Australian has State of Origin, Northern Hemisphere RU has the Six Nations. RL in the Northern Hemisphere needs its own mid season representative competition and France and England are just natural competitors for this to happen. So I've always thought, the stronger France gets the stronger England gets too.

As an overall summary having access to a deeper pool of players from 2 teams has done the France team a world of good, it gives them more depth and options in certain positions and creates competition for places. 

What's better than having 2 teams is the fact that Toulouse is a very good professional environment with an excellent coach that spends time developing players, especially local French players. This adds to the quality and number of players.

As well as the additional players from having a second pro team there is a willingness to select heritage players. Those are players that have French ancestry. Thus far Louis Grossemy has been selected for France and other players have been identified in Australia that are available selection. Lattrell Siegwalt is an exciting player for Souths that has played several games in the NRL and performed well that can add value to the team. 

In regards to players that qualify via residency, I think I'm correct in saying that Olly Ashall Bott and Joe Bretherton qualify for selection and maybe Jake Shorrocks maybe eligible soon. My view on player selection through residency is that they should only be picked if they play in a position that the team lacks quality in. Olly Ashall Bott is eligible and one of the best players in the comp but you've got Morgue, Siegwalt and Aispuro-Bichet that play in that position so bringing a residency player in at fb may not be of value. I do think France lack size and mobility at prop so you could make an argument for the selection of Bretherton to add size and mobility. On another note, I believe Joe Chan is no longer eligible for selection which is a real shame.

Looking at the squad quality, there's now quality and depth in the outside backs. It's actually really impressive to see the available players in these positions, especially young players that are starting to get game time. Unfortunately I still think there's a lack of quality and/or depth in the pack and this is the teams achilles' heel. In international RL, the pack sizes are bigger and faster and games in RL are won mostly in the pack so it should be an area of focus for the whole of French RL. There are young props and second rowers coming through though and we'll monitor their progress. 

Anyway here is my team:

1. Morgue 2. B Laguerre 3. Tropis 4. Griffier 5. Darreltour 6. Siegwalt 7. Rouge 8. Belmas 9. Da Costa 10. Navarette 11. Maria 12. Jussaume 13. Bousquet

Replacements: Fages, Aispuro-Bichet, Sangare, Dezaria, Grossemy

 

 

I’ve said for a while they have talent in the backs and spine but the pack just isn’t big enough

[The Daddy]

2 minutes ago, Archie Gordon said:

I don't think OAB is eligible yet but both Chans are to my knowledge.

According to those in the know. Joe Chan is no longer eligible because he is not resident in France. 

On OAB just checked and you're right. OAB will be eligible in the next few months. 

[Charlie]

Is there any forward coming through at Catalan or Toulouse? And I mean some big boppers that can match it with the island nations 

[Gomersall]

19 minutes ago, The Daddy said:

According to those in the know. Joe Chan is no longer eligible because he is not resident in France. 

On OAB just checked and you're right. OAB will be eligible in the next few months. 

Edited August 30 by Gomersall

[The Daddy]

20 minutes ago, Charlie said:

I’ve said for a while they have talent in the backs and spine but the pack just isn’t big enough

Yeah, that's the problem i feel.

There is no replacement for Bousquet in respect to the combination of physical presence, mobility and size. Bousquet is at the tail end of his career and the young French forwards all look decent but none match what Bousquet brings. 

Bousquet is the best player France has had in the modern SL era. 

[Charlie]

Just now, The Daddy said:

Yeah, that's the problem i feel.

There is no replacement for Bousquet in respect to the combination of physical presence, mobility and size. Bousquet is at the tail end of his career and the young French forwards all look decent but none match what Bousquet brings. 

Bousquet is the best player France has had in the modern SL era. 

That’s my point bousquet can and has matched it with the best. I had hoped for sangare and salibo but there not at that level yet. And every time I see I forward debut for these clubs there tiny 

[Gomersall]

4 minutes ago, Gomersall said:

 

Stupid edititng 

[The Daddy]

3 minutes ago, Charlie said:

Is there any forward coming through at Catalan or Toulouse? And I mean some big boppers that can match it with the island nations 

The young forwards coming through at Catalan are Descalzi, Delarose, Lis (who is very highly rated) and at Toulouse Chiffoleau. 

Bradley Goffin is a second rower that looks decent and has joined the Toulouse squad for next season but I wouldn't say they have the same physical presence of a Bousquet. 

John Toleafoa will be eligible through residency in about 2 and a half years as he's already played a couple of seasons in the local league. 

[The Daddy]

5 minutes ago, Gomersall said:

Stupid edititng 

Waiting for your input coz i know you keep track of what's happening in France. 

[Charlie]

4 minutes ago, The Daddy said:

The young forwards coming through at Catalan are Descalzi, Delarose, Lis (who is very highly rated) and at Toulouse Chiffoleau. 

Bradley Goffin is a second rower that looks decent and has joined the Toulouse squad for next season but I wouldn't say they have the same physical presence of a Bousquet. 

John Toleafoa will be eligible through residency in about 2 and a half years as he's already played a couple of seasons in the local league. 

I’ve seen chiffoleau who’s fairly tall but as you say none of there are that big. And although the game has sped up there’s still massive need for big props as the top sides all have 

[The Daddy]

11 minutes ago, Charlie said:

I’ve seen chiffoleau who’s fairly tall but as you say none of there are that big. And although the game has sped up there’s still massive need for big props as the top sides all have 

Yeah prop especially is a problem for France and I don't know what can be done to address it. 

Need to hope a top NRL player discovers his French ancestry or wait and beg Toleafoa to play for them. 

 

Edited August 30 by The Daddy

[JT RL]

It needs a 10 year agreement.

One Saturday afternoon fixture every year

Same date / weekend, year in year out

Alternating annually, France, then England

At a proper stadium in the same Cities

10 years

Build something

 

 

[Charlie]

27 minutes ago, The Daddy said:

Yeah prop especially is a problem for France and I don't know what can be done to address it. 

Need to hope a top NRL player discovers his French ancestry or wait and beg Toleafoa to play for them. 

 

It’s a odd one for me as the french union sides have some monsters 

[barnyia]

French rugby union have an enormous player pool too, France rl hasn't,  the props coming through are probably very Remi Casty style, not huge but mobile and hard working,  

[The Daddy]

23 minutes ago, Charlie said:

It’s a odd one for me as the french union sides have some monsters 

I think that's the issue. Players can earn huge amounts of money in France RU, even in the league below the Top 14 the players get decent deals. 

The reality is there isn't enough job security in French RL. Toulouse aren't even guaranteed a place in SL next year, if they go back down to the Championship those players will likely have to get their contracts renegotiated to earn less. 

Look what's happened to Segueir, Fages and Yaha. SL level players that are now playing in a semi pro league. If you're a young player in France and you see this are you gonna deal with that or go to a Top 14 club where you have the choice of 14 clubs in Top 14 and several clubs in the league below. 

I think the NRL coming in would help for a start. 

[Briacbzh]

US football has some absolute physical monsters, too.

[Charlie]

47 minutes ago, barnyia said:

French rugby union have an enormous player pool too, France rl hasn't,  the props coming through are probably very Remi Casty style, not huge but mobile and hard working,  

Unfortunately that doesn’t work at international level a few in the team is perfect but you need balance. The positive is there’s some very talented backs and half’s 

[Archie Gordon]

Do we know if FFR XIII is at all interested in getting games on?

[Eddie]

1 hour ago, JT RL said:

It needs a 10 year agreement.

One Saturday afternoon fixture every year

Same date / weekend, year in year out

Alternating annually, France, then England

At a proper stadium in the same Cities

10 years

Build something

 

 

Trouble is nobody wants to watch it. 

[Gomersall]

1 hour ago, The Daddy said:

Waiting for your input coz i know you keep track of what's happening in France. 

I was trying to point out that Brad Webb still played for the Kiwis despite not living in NZ.

[JT RL]

Smallest crowd: 16,559 at Lang Park (match 3, 1984),
 

[JT RL]

2 minutes ago, JT RL said:

Smallest crowd: 16,559 at Lang Park (match 3, 1984),
 

Lowest attendance edit 2,000 – Argentina v Italy, 28 May 1987

[JM2010]

Is there any progress being made with Pacifique Treize?

Thats a potentially strong player pool to add to the domestic French players