2025 EOYT Matches (Non-ANZ)
- Thread starter Dctarget
- Start date
Dctarget
Jason Little (69)
France v South Africa is easily the match up of the weekend, almost month.
France has a crazy injury list. Lots of rookies in there but most of them have been absolutely braining it in the T14. Guillard is a 1.97 flanker for Lyon, taking the mantel off fit Alldritt. Salacious rumours going around that Alldritt turned down the NZ tour despite being available which has pissed off the coaches.
Rookie props but big lads, Regis Montagne is a bit of nominative determinism at 135kg. Only 30 caps at T14, but 80 matches played in ProD2. His colleague at loose head also inexperienced at test level but has 70 T14 caps and 30 ProD2. There's a bit more experience on the bench but a huge stepdown from Antonio and Baille who France have relied on a little too much without blooding the next generation. Mauvaka at hooker is also a big out with Marchand well below his (very high) usual standards. So, definitely a place that the Boks can dominate.
Good to see Aussie Manny return to the starting team. Backrow is class, Boudehent has taken Ollivon's position and won't give it back.
We all know their back three, centres are a bit weak IMO. Heretical to suggest but I think Fickou is past it and they're yet to find a proper 13. I don't rate Barassi. I think long term it'll be young Pau centre Emile Gailleton.
France has a crazy injury list. Lots of rookies in there but most of them have been absolutely braining it in the T14. Guillard is a 1.97 flanker for Lyon, taking the mantel off fit Alldritt. Salacious rumours going around that Alldritt turned down the NZ tour despite being available which has pissed off the coaches.
Rookie props but big lads, Regis Montagne is a bit of nominative determinism at 135kg. Only 30 caps at T14, but 80 matches played in ProD2. His colleague at loose head also inexperienced at test level but has 70 T14 caps and 30 ProD2. There's a bit more experience on the bench but a huge stepdown from Antonio and Baille who France have relied on a little too much without blooding the next generation. Mauvaka at hooker is also a big out with Marchand well below his (very high) usual standards. So, definitely a place that the Boks can dominate.
Good to see Aussie Manny return to the starting team. Backrow is class, Boudehent has taken Ollivon's position and won't give it back.
We all know their back three, centres are a bit weak IMO. Heretical to suggest but I think Fickou is past it and they're yet to find a proper 13. I don't rate Barassi. I think long term it'll be young Pau centre Emile Gailleton.
Strewthcobber
Phil Kearns (64)
Is France actually good? They get their #1 team on the field so infrequently I find it really hard to know where they actually are at the moment?
Dctarget
Jason Little (69)
I think they are... Pushed NZ with a rookie squad away in NZ... Depth great but as we know you can only select 23. Won 6N by a whisker, pretty similar levels to Ireland and England. I'd say they can beat anyone on a good day and their good days happen frequently.
Also doesn't help that their cheat code, Dupont, is still injured. He's worth a 10 point swing. Also Ntamack is a level below since his return from injury and Jalibert is the form flyhalf but is also out injured.
But like I say, similar to England/Ireland. Wouldn't be outrageous to beat SA but I think they will lose by more than two scores.