What the French newspapers are saying on Monday about the Test against the Springboks and the 2023 World Cup bid.
‘The week of all danger’ is the headline on the second page of the latest edition of Midi-Olympique. The story refers to the 2023 World Cup bid announcement as well as the coming clash between France and the Boks at Stade de France.
‘Laporte talks big’, barks another headling, a reference to France’s drive to secure the hosting rights. The paper has listed what it feels could be the only two outcomes following the vote by the World Rugby council in London on Wednesday.
‘South Africa wins in the first round if…’ begins the first scenario. The second looks at how ‘France could create a surprise’.
Midi-Olympique has also run a long interview with Laporte. ‘Today we have addressed the voters several times, sent letters,’ he says. ‘We know very little about who will vote for who.
‘The presidents of the federations will not wait until the last day to make the decision. Very often, the decision was voted in board and they will respect it’.
The paper looks at how the South Africans were ‘swept away’ in the record 38-3 loss to Ireland.
‘While South Africa retains the favour of World Rugby ahead of the announcement regarding the 2023 World Cup, they suffered last Saturday when the wrath of Ireland was literally unleashed.
‘Clearly the Boks have work to do before facing Les Bleus, and Allister Coetzee faces a challenge in choosing the men who will settle the many deficient sectors.’
Many reporters have applauded France’s fightback against the All Blacks last Saturday. That said, they are also calling for changes ahead of the Test against South Africa.
‘Picamoles in danger,’ reads the headline in L’Equipe. The writer goes on to note how quiet and ultimately disappointing the France No 8 was against the All Blacks.
‘And if we gave the keys to the young? asks Le Parisien. ‘Why not start from scratch with a team of hopefuls?’
The Boks, who have not won in five games, would certainly prefer it if France went into the coming clash with an inexperienced side.
Compiled by Jon Cardinelli in Paris
