Noves set to call on France’s big guns
IT NEEDS to be remembered that the French are coming off the back of a long domestic season, in fact, the final between Toulon and Clermont was played the week before the Loftus Test, and team management allowed players from those clubs to have the week off.
Now, with the second Test in Durban looming, French coach Guy Noves can call on his big guns in the hope of reversing last Saturday’s defeat to the Springboks.
Toulon hooker Guilhem Guirado, is set to take his spot in the No 2 jumper, and the captaincy reigns along with it. Another Toulon man, Francois Trinh-Duc could also slot straight in after flying out for the injured Camille Lopez
Noves has also flown out Clermont lock Paul Jedrasiak for injured club teammate Arthur Iturria.
In total, Noves could call on seven players to bolster his squad, and many of those are experienced Test campaigners.
From Toulon, loosehead prop Xavier Chiocci could partner Guirado in the front row, while lock Romain Taofifenua will add to the team’s ball carries.
It remains to be seen if Noves will make wholesale changes in the wake of an embarrassing loss for the French. There is much merit in keeping continuity, but with up to seven frontline players missing from action, the side that played at Loftus could almost be described as a B side.
Captain on the day last Saturday, Yoann Maestri, was incredibly succinct in his assessment of what needs to improve when interviewed after the match, stating simply “everything”.
The Boks are expecting a huge backlash from the French and those players who watched from the stands last week will be raring to go.
Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard will join the SA A squad in Johannesburg on Sunday as replacement for Francois Venter.
Venter was on Monday called up to the Boks in Durban following the withdrawal from the squad by Damian De Allende, who has returned to Cape Town to continue rehabilitation from an injury.
Meanwhile, flyhalf Frederic Michalak will captain the French Barbarians in their opening match against SA A at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday (4.45pm kickoff).
The match will mark the first senior rugby clash at the iconic stadium. It will be the first of two matches between the two teams. The second match will be played at Orlando Stadium next Friday.
Michalak knows local conditions well, having played for the Sharks for two seasons, starting in 2011. Another interesting inclusion in the matchday squad is experienced fullback Clement Poitrenaud, who has been in the Sharks' Super Rugby squad this season. He has been named on the bench.
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