Ibanez calls for Top 14 coaches to give French tyros a chance
FRANCE legend Raphael Ibanez believes success at U20s level will underpin his country’s drive towards becoming world champions on home soil in 2023.
Les Bleuets were superb in defeating England in last Sunday’s U20s Junior World Cup final, clinching a first title at that level and providing hope of a resurgence among the nation’s younger players after years of being squeezed out by foreign signings.
With new regulations over home-grown quotas in the Top 14 now in effect, former hooker Ibanez,
below, told The Rugby Paper: “All the credit goes to a fantastic new generation of players and coaches because it was not luck what happened last week.
“That team was developed from the U16s level and for once French rugby has been able to bring some consistency to the programme and performance. This was the result and it’s a great achievement for an excellent group of players.
“We are no longer waiting for the Southern Hemisphere nations to be the leaders, what France is producing now is very, very good and we need to bring these young players through to the senior level and through to the 2023 World Cup in France.”
Ibanez added: “The style of our U20s team was particularly impressive and some of those players could even be part of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
“Our young No.8, Jordan Joseph, the captain and scrum-half Arthur Coville, fly-half Louis Carbonel and winger Cameron Woki were all exceptional. As for the props, they are so strong and powerful and Demba Bamba can be one of our future stars.
“The plan now must be to play these guys and I hope all the coaches across the Top 14 will be aware of the need to bring these players to the top level. If we do that, then with the resurgence in the French national team we will have a good chance.”
Ibanez, meanwhile, is less optimistic about his country’s clubs mounting a challenge in Europe next season after presiding over the Champions Cup draw.
He believes Pool 5 rivals Montpellier and Toulon could offer the biggest challenge to holders Leinster, although he believes the Irish province still hold the whip hand despite being plunged into a ‘Pool of champions’ with Toulouse, Wasps and Bath.
Former Wasp Ibanez explained: “I love the way Wasps play and Pool 1 is massive – a real battle between four teams who helped shape Champions Cup history. But I think it will be very difficult for anybody to challenge Leinster.
“This year they just seemed so well prepared and so well structured and they know exactly what to do to win big games. They have a good balance between youth and experience and they will be even better, so I back them to win again in Newcastle.
“If any French team can challenge them, I think Toulon and Montpellier playing Edinburgh and Newcastle in Pool 5 is our best chance. One of them should come out of that Pool and then everything is possible depending on the draw.”
Ibanez does not entirely rule out a challenge from Top 14 champions Castres, however, adding: “They are based on togetherness and mental strength and having won the Top 14 final, their Pool with Exeter, Munster and Gloucester is really well balanced in terms of strength and it could be the most spectacular.”