“MISSION ACCOMPLISHED," declared Philippe Saint Andre in the wake of France’s dogged 22-14 defeat of Samoa on Saturday evening. "Today is the victory of courage, restraint, solidarity. We did not…
France
France’s toughest battle with themselves, not the Pumas
THE GREATEST challenge facing France on Saturday in Lille isn’t the Pumas – strong as they’ll be - but the French themselves. “We will see if we’re capable of stringing…
Missing the party: Four players not invited this Autumn
THE FIRST round of the Autumn Internationals has been and gone and happiness isbeing found in some unlikely places. England rumbled onwards, despite chronic wastefulness. Ireland got up close to…
Michalak returns at No 10 to ignite Les Bleus
SO FREDDY'S back. For the first time since 2007, Michalak will start a home Test match for France and Les Bleus will be all the better for it. The 30-year-old…
Can dreams become reality for Racing Metro?
THE TOP 14 is soon to close down for three weeks allowing clubs to take stock of their early season form. For Racing Metro it’s been nothing short of disastrous.…
Why the hype over France’s Gael Fickou
LET'S NOT get carried away. Gael Fickou had a good game for Toulouse in their win over Leicester on Sunday, but was the 18-year-old’s try-scoring performance really that special? Sure,…
Fickou one of eight uncapped players named in France squad
YOUNG TOULOUSE star Gaël Fickou has been named in France's squad for the upcoming November Internationals against Australia, Argentina and Samoa. The 18-year old centre impressed on his Heineken Cup…
Magic Michalak on fire in France
“MICHALAK IS back” screams the headline in this week’s Midi Olympique, alongside a photograph of Toulon’s Freddie, a player for whom the word ‘mercurial’ could have been invented. Michalak played…
Sheridan’s fighting fit in Toulon
THEY SAY Lourdes is where you go in search of a miracle cure, but if you’re a thirty-something Englishman Toulon seems to be the place in France that has healing…
Vakatawa shines as he signals his French intent
THE TOP 14 may be a slow-burner right now with few games of real drama but one man doing his best to light the touch paper is Virimi Vakatawa. The…