The one good thing about that Eng-Fra game other than its entertainment value is that it signals the end of the Saint-André era. This is the ONE and only game of the last 3.5 yrs Fra have ever turned up.
This is an awful defeat in line with the last 3.5 yrs, but at least the players got their performance.
I've asked many rugby people around me: not one could come up with a performance to remember from the PSA era. Not one game stood out before today's.
The difference btw the 2 sides over the last 4 yrs is poles apart. England have been building patiently with a long term plan, a steady group of players, a young 10 who has the full support (unlike our fly-halves) and players ready to repay the staff for their trust - this is the exact opposite of the Blue Barnum of the last 3.5 yrs.
Why would they finally decide to play when there was nothing to play for? To me there are 3 reasons. One is that the Saint-André Lagisquet shackles are starting to come off. The 2nd is the players took charge of that game. This one didn't come from the staff as Fra have never produced a performance under the current staff. This was the players making a statement, which coincides with the staff's last 6N in charge. Three, the players have started to focus on their WC.
This is players starting to take control. The staff cannot take any credit for today's performance. They will try and we'll get the media BS all week trying to milk the 'positives' for the staff's personal gain. All the changes they made were forced (Plisson, Debatty, Fickou, Mermoz etc) not chosen. Plisson was thrown in at the deep end at Twickenham. They didn't do him a favour. He has been in fine form all season with his club relegating Morney Steyn to the bench. They called him back when they were stuck after Lopez was summoned home by his club. They used him as a filler. Now Tales must be wondering what he is doing in the group. And Lopez's gone back to Clermont.
Under Saint-André it's NEVER been the staff's fault, always the players.
There is a massive generation gap with the playrers. Blanco Lagisquet and Saint-André belong to the amateur era of the 80s. Their rugby language is that of the 80s. They're not on the same wavelength as the professionals they claim to coach.
The staff are mere figureheads. The latest war of words with Clermont this week showed how toothless and useless FFr truly are. Clermont only had to bang their fist on the table to get their way and their player back.
Now les Bleus need Parra and FTD back as their playmakers and to get some leadership back into the group. And lock away Blanco and Lagisquet for the next 6 mths.
If these players have enough cojones they will coach themselves at the WC.
This is an awful defeat in line with the last 3.5 yrs, but at least the players got their performance.
I've asked many rugby people around me: not one could come up with a performance to remember from the PSA era. Not one game stood out before today's.
The difference btw the 2 sides over the last 4 yrs is poles apart. England have been building patiently with a long term plan, a steady group of players, a young 10 who has the full support (unlike our fly-halves) and players ready to repay the staff for their trust - this is the exact opposite of the Blue Barnum of the last 3.5 yrs.
Why would they finally decide to play when there was nothing to play for? To me there are 3 reasons. One is that the Saint-André Lagisquet shackles are starting to come off. The 2nd is the players took charge of that game. This one didn't come from the staff as Fra have never produced a performance under the current staff. This was the players making a statement, which coincides with the staff's last 6N in charge. Three, the players have started to focus on their WC.
This is players starting to take control. The staff cannot take any credit for today's performance. They will try and we'll get the media BS all week trying to milk the 'positives' for the staff's personal gain. All the changes they made were forced (Plisson, Debatty, Fickou, Mermoz etc) not chosen. Plisson was thrown in at the deep end at Twickenham. They didn't do him a favour. He has been in fine form all season with his club relegating Morney Steyn to the bench. They called him back when they were stuck after Lopez was summoned home by his club. They used him as a filler. Now Tales must be wondering what he is doing in the group. And Lopez's gone back to Clermont.
Under Saint-André it's NEVER been the staff's fault, always the players.
There is a massive generation gap with the playrers. Blanco Lagisquet and Saint-André belong to the amateur era of the 80s. Their rugby language is that of the 80s. They're not on the same wavelength as the professionals they claim to coach.
The staff are mere figureheads. The latest war of words with Clermont this week showed how toothless and useless FFr truly are. Clermont only had to bang their fist on the table to get their way and their player back.
Now les Bleus need Parra and FTD back as their playmakers and to get some leadership back into the group. And lock away Blanco and Lagisquet for the next 6 mths.
If these players have enough cojones they will coach themselves at the WC.
