Benjamin Kayser on France
France hooker, 47 caps, 2008–2015
Getty
- Michael Potts
I have a few question marks about France. I’m not overly confident, but they are an exciting, youthful, refreshing side. In context, they won the grand slam in 2022, but after the trauma of the Rugby World Cup in 2023 they were destroyed last year. They simply didn’t wake up and Ireland trashed them in Marseille in the opening game. Since then, there’s been a transformation — a new generation, a revamped side. Now there’s excitement and you want to see more of that. Last year was a bit of a punishment. You could tell the energy levels were very low, but there’s been a shift.
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Just look at the little winger called Louis Bielle-Biarrey — the electric scooter. He’s got a red helmet and he’s scoring tries left, right and centre. In terms of pure speed, he’s probably the fastest rugby player in the world at the moment. He is destroying everyone at Bordeaux and his partnership with Damian Penaud, the other winger, is just spectacular.
"Electric" French winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Getty
There will not be another 53—10 win over England as there was two years ago. I’m not as confident because I was confident for France against Ireland in Marseille last year and we got absolutely spanked! It was a humility pill.
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France need to bring on the fire now the excitement is back up. I do see a French victory overall, but I don’t see a grand slam.
IN A WORD: “Fiery”
Authors
Michael PottsSport Editor
Michael Potts is the Sport Editor for Radio Times, covering all of the biggest sporting events across the globe with previews, features, interviews and more. He has worked for Radio Times since 2019 and previously worked on the sport desk at Express.co.uk after starting his career writing features for What Culture. He achieved a first-class degree in Sports Journalism in 2014.
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