How would you line up the French national squad? Based on current results?

Whichever way you look at it, we could field a purely UTC/Catalans squad for the French national side. I think that the mid-season test would be a good chance to play a UTC/TO heavy side with a couple others, but come the 4N it should be UTC/Catalans+TO. Bobbie should send out the message that players who don't step up to the next level (Championship/SL) are not playing at a high enough level to make the national squad (this means you Greseque).

Even selecting a purely Catalan side we are starting to see some options as to whether we want big centres or fast second-rows. A Raguin/Baille/Duport second row would be pretty pacey + you could have Elima's pace at prop.

Clint will qualify by the time the 4-Nations comes round, so there's your full-back. Bosc at 7 is a must and we look half-decent in the forwards. For a while yet, we'll be picking part-time players in key positions though, and that doesn't inspire confidence.

I think the strong message has to be that to play for France you should be playing full time at a top club, so TO or Catalans. Therefore we should expect Greseque to either sign for a top club or bow out in favour of a promising new player who would work his way into the aforementioned clubs' first team.

Key positions? We have Bently and Judas at hooker, plentiful Catalan options in the forwards and barring injuries we have everything except fullback and a second half-back. Fullback is either Stacul or Greenshileds (depending on availibility) so we only need one player to step up to the level. I reckon we look at TO or give Guash a hit-out.

I think that you will have to be a little flexible on your criteria, and give Maxime another shot.

Are you sure that Greenshields will have qualified by October?

No and No.

Maxime, if he was up to the task, would be playing at higher level. I thought it took 3 years to qualify, which means that Greenshields has another year.

Anyone think Rinaldi might get a recall from QLD Cup...??

Well, for the french squad it's Rinaldi, Bently and Wynn. I think that one of those has to be dropped for the squad and it can't be Bently! I would opt with Judas over Wynn, but if he isn't getting high level footy ...

Surely theres only two play in the 2nd row

1. Greenshelids
2. Stacul/Villegas
3. Baille
4. Couturier (just ahead of Saddoui becasue he is playing in the championship, also a spare kicker, but so slow mould grows on him.)
5. Pelo
6 Greseque ( I do agree with your point about higher level players but he is a good player and I dont see a better option at 6)
7 Bosc
8 Ferriol
9 Rinaldi/Bentley (Id go for Julien first but I dont know how much he is playing ATM)
10 Elima
11 Gossard
12
13 Mounis

14 Bentley/Rinaldi
15 Fakir
16 Guisset
17 Griffi/Casty/Touxagas

Whats the crack with Crocker and Mogg, would they be availiable, would M Goulding want to pick older overseas players and would they want to be on board?

I'd put Duport/Murphy on the other wing and hope that Raguin would be fit to play centre. If not, try Duport there instead of Couturier.

I'd go for

1 Greeny
2 Stacul
3 Baille
4 Mayans
5 Pelo
6 Bosc
7 Moly
8 Ferriol
9 Bentley
10 Guisset
11 Elima
12 Anselme
13 Mounis
14 Fakir
15 Casty
16 Wynne
17 Touxagas/Duport

I dont think Duport is a winger myself, and yeah, I would put Raguin in there first but I cant see him being fit for the 4N and defo not the mid season game.

Oh, if we are talking mid-season then I'd put in more LER players, give them a bit of a chance.
For the 4N I don't care how much some players have impressed in the LER, if they don't impress TO or the Dragons then they shouldn't be in the side.

and ... when will Perry be eligible for the side?

But then theres the other side of the coin in that if we pick an experimental side for the only meaningful game before the 4N it could leave the side underprepared.

I know we are in a fairly unique position in that most of our players will play for only two clubs, in that the side gelling shouldnt be an issue.

Looking in the LER who would you give a chance to?
Fellous, Cologni, Jean Cristope Borlin and Wynne are 4 from the WC that come to mind straight away but are they the wrong side of 30 now for Bobbie? Whats the point in bringing in those guys when you have experienced SL players and better up and coming young SL/Champ players.

Saddoui, Moly are two more but again I think there are better options.



I agree with what your saying but in practice there is no-one at either club with the talent (on the day) as Maxime.

Not only that but we have seen how the time when LER finishes and the International comps start is a disadvantage for the French.



Don't