FRANCE
It’s hard to believe that France can be as bad as last season when they finished bottom of the table and won just one of their five matches in the Championship, looking drained of their traditional forward power up front and lacking the cutting edge they ought to have given the talents still at their disposal, for all the concern about an influx of overseas players at Top 14 clubs.
Losing captain Thierry Dusautoir, because of a torn bicep, is blow, but stand-in skipper Pascal Pape has led the side in recent years when the openside flanker has been unavailable.
Settling on a half-back combination has been a problem for coach Philippe Saint-Andre, who has now decided to dispense with fly-halves Frederic Michalak and Francois Trih-Duc. Instead the uncapped Jules Plisson has been called into the squad after impressing at Stade Francais.
In centre Wesley Fofana, France have one of the best backs in Europe although he too, as good as he is working with scraps, would benefit from quality quick ball, the better to cut through opposition defences.
Saint-Andre has had his players in camp and free of club commitments ahead of a tricky opener at home to England after long complaining about the punishing effects of the Top 14 on his squad.
Form since 2013 Six Nations: L (NZL), L (NZL) L (NZL) L (NZL) W (TGA), L (RSA)
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