France: We're no pushover

2008-06-20 09:19

Sydney - It's been a "long, very tough and very tiring season" and their squad is severely weakened but the French insist they are up to the challenge of taking on the Wallabies in their two Test series.

Half of the 26-man French squad touched down in Sydney on Friday, as they prepare for Tests against the Australians in Sydney on June 28 and Brisbane on July 5.

While Australian Rugby Union chief John O'Neill has already accepted an apology from France about their squad make-up - despite previously being outspoken on the issue of weakened teams coming to Australia - the French weren't making excuses tonight.

"People don't have to worry too much," French media manager Lionel Rossigneux said.

"They are all players in the top league in France, in the top six or seven clubs and the top two or three clubs in England, so there shouldn't be any concern about the level of play," he said.

Les Bleus' backs coach, Emile Ntamack, acknowledged the tour would provide a great challenge for next generation of players expected to represent their country in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Good challenge

"The important thing is that we are here now in Australia and of course we have a new group, maybe a young group but we have a lot of experienced players too," he said.

"For us it is a good challenge. Okay, we are here without the team that played the (2007 World Cup) semi-final (loss) in France, but I think we have a good group.

"Of course it will be tough because we are playing one of the five best nations in the world, the Australian team."

He said the first season after the Rugby World Cup in France had been "long, very tough and very tiring".

Ntamack said many new players were included in the squad during the recent Six Nations tournament in France and the same would be the case for the two matches in Australia.

But citing the likes of backrow star Sebastien Chabal, he said there were enough experienced heads in the side to "make the team competitive".

Chabal, with his long locks and beard, achieved cult hero status during the World Cup and has been recalled to the squad despite being out of favour with France's new coach, Marc Lievremont.

He will complement a side largely comprising young talented players, whom Ntamack said had a chance to stake their claim for a spot in the at the next World Cup.

"A lot of the players are excited and feel incredibly lucky to be here, but if you give one opportunity, you must take it," Ntamack said.

- Rugby Heaven