What’s that you hear? A thirty-footed blue monster rumbling down the rugby world, with a ferocious grin, silky hands and a Gargantuan appetite?
After a decade of mediocrity, losing limply to almost every opponent regardless of their quality, France seem back on track to be a serious contender, so let’s try to look at what has made a difference.
As much as it pains me to say, bloody Bernard Laporte played a major part in it, either by implementing what was already in place, or by some radical changes.
As soon as he was elected in December 2016, he cancelled the construction of the giant stadium the FFR did not have the means to build anyway, fired Novès under a false – and ultimately costly – pretext in favour of Galthié, snatched the organisation of the 2023 RWC from South Africa, and signed a new five-year agreement between the professional clubs (LNR) and the federation (FFR), to be revised in … 2023. The FFR also reorganized the academies and the training of the coaches. And they implemented the JIFF project, which started in 2010.
Let’s start from the top. The RWC in France in 2023 means enough is enough: can’t repeat the disastrous 2015 or 2019, especially at home. So even the constantly infighting Gauls had to agree on some basics.
No more giant stadium means healthier finances. Some of that goes to pay Novès after a court found that he was unfairly fired. The rest goes mostly to the clubs, either as a result of the JIFF policy or the new convention.
JIFF basically means France-qualified. It actually stands for : Jeunes issus des filières de formation. Either the youngsters have spent three years in FFR-endorsed academies, or they’ve been registered players with the FFR for at least five years before they turn 23. Nationality does not matter. Professional clubs from both T-14 and ProD2 must play with a minimum number of JIFF players; it has gone from twelve in 2011 to seventeen now.
Stick: Points can be deducted if the clubs use fewer (hasn’t happened yet AFAIK).
Carrot: the clubs can get paid up to 300.000 euros if they achieve the minimum number required.
Two consequences: the mediocre JIFFs first got paid disproportionately high salaries, even on the bench, as they brought more money than say a Georgian or an old Kiwi. Secondly, the good ones got more game time, as there have been fewer imports since, including at key positions.
Most T-14 and ProD2 clubs now turn up with about 75% JIFFs in their squads, usually around seventeen players, the lowest being Toulon with 59% (which could be very costly in terms of relegation) and the maximum being Clermont with 80%.
(For more info, check out the very interesting site [only in French, I’m afraid] www.allrugby.com and look for “ stats Jiff”. The site covers many other subjects – a gold mine for TomP. See also: www.ffr.fr and look for “filière d’accession au haut niveau”.)
Now the agreement:
The clubs agreed to leave 42 players at Galthié’s disposal for the entire duration of the 6N, with only fourteen players released to their clubs a few days before the actual games. At least five clubs must provide one to three players, thus making sure most clubs are involved. During the fallow weeks, 23 players are ‘protected’ and not allowed to play with their clubs; the same applies to the autumn tests. In exchange, the clubs get serious money and also bonuses according to France’s results. Don’t ask me the exact amount, it’s classified.
So not only does Galthié have access to the best players available with time on his hands, but in the meantime – because the T-14 never stops, right? – the younger players get game time while the big boys are in camp.
Then we get a competent set of coaches.
Galthié, the brain. His pet subject and true area of expertise is how quickly a team goes from defence to attack and vice versa. He’s a rugby nerd.
Ibanez, man management, as FG is notoriously bad at it.
Labit (attack), Edwards (defence), Ghezal (lineout), Servat (scrum): the technicians know their stuff, as does Giroud, who’s in charge of the physical preparation.
Finally, France seem to have unearthed quite a few excellent players; some of them could arguably claim a spot in a world XV.
But there is also an unusual strength in depth. Why?
Because rugby is rapidly expanding, both geographically and, more importantly, socially.
There are 245 000 registered players in the country , +6% since before Covid. There are 239 rugby schools (from 6 to U14), including about 60 where historically rugby was not played (Normandy, Brittany, the North East). This is the end of the PE teacher or the well-meaning dad improvising as a coach: these schools have more professional coaches, trained by the FFR, who spot the better players and offer them study, coupled with rugby practice, in 25 high-quality schools (age 15 to 18), partially paid by the FFR. Again, in various parts of the country, including New Caledonia or inner cities around Paris.
There are 44 pro clubs – possibly more if you include faux amateurs all the way down to Fédérale 1, which is the fourth level – most of them with raucous crowds in quite often sold-out stadia.
There is also more exposure: all T-14 and ProD2 games are shown on Canal + (40 euros a month). That money is evenly distributed among the lower leagues.
Big cities (Lyon, Bordeaux, Paris, Montpellier, etc.) are quickly replacing the erstwhile bastions of rugby (50K-pop cities like Dax, Bayonne, Bourgoin, …), bringing in richer sponsors but also attracting – and this is the big novelty – kids from the inner cities, Blacks and Arabs who were only into football before. France has always had players from ex-colonies and from Caribbean islands, Bourgarel, Bennazzi, Blanco, Betsen etc., but they were only a few; nowadays, about a third of the France squad are the sons of recent immigrants. Their success story, through feeder clubs like Massy or Sarcelles (in the Paris area), in turn brings in new kids.
I’m not sure France will get a GS, though I expect them to win the 6N, and I’m not sure either that they’ll win the RWC next year (tough draw in particular), but I certainly expect them to finally remain among the top 3 teams for the years to come. Then of course, a new cycle will begin and the Gauls will to go back to their favorite sport: infighting.
As ably explained by Flair99.
Onna telly this week
Friday 4th March
| Ulster 48 – 12 Cardiff | 19:35 | RTÉ2 / BBC2 NI/Wales / Premier Sports 2 |
| Edinburgh 56 – 8 Connacht | 19:35 | TG4 / Premier Sports 1 |
| Harlequins 24 – 10 Newcastle | 19:45 | BT Sport 1 |
Saturday 5th March
| Treviso v Leinster | 12:55 | RTÉ2 / Premier Sports 2 |
| Saracens v Leicester | 15:00 | BT Sport 3 |
| Scarlets v Glasgow | 17:15 | Premier Sports 1 |
| Munster v Dragons | 17:15 | S4C / TG4 / Premier Sports 2 |
Sunday 6th March
| Ospreys v Zebre | 14:00 | Premier Sports 1 | ||
| Exeter v Sale | 15:00 | BT Sport 1 |
Thursday 10th March
| Wales v France (U20s) | 20:00 | BBC2 Wales / iPlayer |
Ovally Balls 
“Bonus” point win for France.
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Got round to watching Jackass Forever today. It’s worth seeing just for the opening ‘sequence’. Best thing I’ve seen for a while.
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Craigs, I saw clips from Bad Grampa, the diner scene in particular was gross.
But very funny in a juvenile way
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Wales surprisingly competitive. Two points down but two men up right now.
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Five points down and two men up at half time. The first yellow card will be over soon after the restart, most of the second one still to run I think.
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That was some half.
France looked terrific, then went “Bof”, got two men in the bin and Wales got right back into it.
The first card and penalty try was unlucky for the French prop, he looked like he stumbled more than anything, but that is always given as a deliberate collapse of the maul, so fair dos.
The second card was really pretty stupid from the French lock.
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The French hooker is very explosive
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Not staying competitive. Never mind.
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he should be in the bomb squad
(sorry)
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The Welsh scrum half has a nice zip to his pass
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It’s a shame Wales haven’t managed to score from any of their lineouts on the French line in the second half or they could have got back into it.
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New scrum half on now with unusual hair.
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Some good defence from France and a few monstrous kicks from their own half. Wales have made some critical errors when they’ve looked close to scoring though.
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That’s torn it
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France get their BP with an interception that was on the easy side. Wales did well to compete for as long as they did.
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CMW, Wales looked very much in the game for long periods, some clumsy work around the lineout close in cost them dear
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Yes I think the scoreline is very harsh especially with the two late tries that came from Wales chasing the game. Sounds like one of the early tries that I missed was an interception too.
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There is some serious talent in that French side
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And another one at the end, this one an individual effort, he looked a good player whenever he was involved.
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Ticht – my inner, inner, inner, inner… etc… inner juvenile was coaxed out of its shell by about 30s in. I can’t think of any other film studio who would do what they did.
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and Jason Jenkins in… there was huge furore when Munster signed him – “journeyman holding back young IQ players” , less so now that Leinster signed him – they’re applauded for fixing their lack of bulk in at 2nd row
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Everyone hiding behind the sofas in anticipation of tomorrow? Why? France gonna make Steak tartare out of Wales, Ireland mashed potatoes out of England and Scotland haggis out of Italy. Simple. Ease up. Relax. Accept your destiny.
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Lots of folk here in Bokland who would like Jenkins in the national side. Our one, to be clear!
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@Deebee – Well he has played for your one in the greatest game between South Africa and Wales in Washington D.C. ever. So unless he’s got the necessary parents or grandparents to change he’s stuck with you.
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@deebee
Believe he is capped by SA – so not available for Ireland to snaffle.
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Not that I’d like to know if he’s got a Welsh grandfather or anything.
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He does have the most promising surname out of this lot:
Robert du Preez, Thomas du Toit, André Esterhuizen, Travis Ismaiel, Jason Jenkins, Makazole Mapimpi, Ox Nché, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Marvin Orie, Embrose Papier, Kwagga Smith, Akker van der Merwe and Ivan van Zyl
They all made their debuts in that game. Which obviously deserves it’s status as a proper full international that belongs on the all time record.
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I can’t believe for a moment that South Africa would have seen such a prestigious event as an opportunity to tie a load of players to only being able to play for them.
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“I can’t believe for a moment that South Africa would have seen such a prestigious event as an opportunity to tie a load of players to only being able to play for them.”
Scottish talent scouts were seen weeping in the stands
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Jenkins’s middle name is Howell. He’s definitely one of ours. Good player but knackered in the NH.
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Marler and George Ford I reckon.
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New post shortly.
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New post is here.
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