Silly Bastereaud should have apologised sooner!
Last night Marc Lievremont announced his 31 man squad ahead of the Autumn Internationals against South Africa, Samoa and New Zealand. The most notable member to be left out is Stade Francais’ centre, Mathieu Bastereaud.
Lievremont said he had no choice in leaving out the centre after the Parisian fictionalised an assault during a night out in Wellington over the summer after the French lost to the All blacks. It had taken until Tuesday for Bastereaud to apologise to the coach for his actions in Wellington. Do you think his apology is far too late? Is it right that he has been omitted from the squad?
I completely understand why Lievremont left him out, Bastereaud seriously damaged the reputation of French rugby, and possibly rugby as a whole. The whole situation was incredibly embarrassing, the French Prime Minister even wrote an apology to the New Zealand Prime Minister for wasting police time and effort, should someone like that deserve a place back in international rugby?
However, this is not the end for Bastereaud, Marc Lievremont did reveal that water will pass under the bridge and he will select the centre if he is consistently playing well for his club. So we may see the centre back within the six nations early next year. But I would recommend him to stay clear of alcohol if the French win a match.
On a slightly more positive note, France is welcoming back one of my favourite Fly Halfs, Frederic Michalak. Michalak hasn’t played for France since March and was handed his place after an injury to Lionel Beauxis. He is one of 10 Toulouse stars to compete for places against the world champions on November 14th.
The captaincy armband has been given to Flanker Thierry Dusautoir, he has taken the role from Racing Metro’s Lionel Nallet.
Would you give a sorry Bastereaud a chance?
How do you think the French will cope against the World Champs?
France squad as follows:
Forwards: Fabien Barcella, Thomas Domingo, Nicolas Mas, Sylvain Marconnet, William Servat, Dimitri Szarzewski, Alexandre Lapandry, Romain Millo-Chluski, Pascal Pape, Sebastien Chabal, Lionel Nallet, Luc Ducalcon, Thierry Dusautoir, Antoine Burban, Louis Picamoles, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Imanol Harinordoquy.
Backs: Julien Dupuy, Morgan Parra, Francois Trinh-Duc, David Marty, Yannick Jauzion, Maxime Mermoz, Maxime Medard, Cedric Heymans, Vincent Clerc, Benjamin Fall, Yann David, Frederic Michalak, Damien Traille.
Forwards: Fabien Barcella, Thomas Domingo, Nicolas Mas, Sylvain Marconnet, William Servat, Dimitri Szarzewski, Alexandre Lapandry, Romain Millo-Chluski, Pascal Pape, Sebastien Chabal, Lionel Nallet, Luc Ducalcon, Thierry Dusautoir, Antoine Burban, Louis Picamoles, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Imanol Harinordoquy.
Backs: Julien Dupuy, Morgan Parra, Francois Trinh-Duc, David Marty, Yannick Jauzion, Maxime Mermoz, Maxime Medard, Cedric Heymans, Vincent Clerc, Benjamin Fall, Yann David, Frederic Michalak, Damien Traille.
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