Loïc Jacquet watches the rest of the French squad training
Photo : WB/IRB.
19 JUNE 2006
By Willy Billiard
Loïc Jacquet didn't train this morning with the rest of the French squad at the Beaumont rugby ground near Clermont. He felt a hamstring twinge but "it's nothing serious," according to the French captain.
"I've had it for a couple of weeks now" he adds before going off for an MRI scan on the offending muscle with the team doctor. Whatever the result, Jacquet is expected to take his place in the starting line up against Australia in the second semi final of the IRB Under 21 World Championship on Wednesday.
Jacquet will be the most experienced player on the French side at the Parc Marcel Michelin, having been a member of the u21 squad since 2004, including a IRB u21 semi final appearance against Australia in Mendoza last year. That match, like this year's semi, also took place on 21 June. Australia won it 28-16.
Jacquet, who replaced Fabien Cibray as captain after he suffered an injury in France's opening game against Ireland, is keen not to draw comparisons with this year's encounter. "You can't really talk about revenge," he told irbu21.com, "as many of the players weren't involved last year. I prefer to concentrate on this year's game."
We made a couple of small defensive errors and they really punished us.
France captain Loic Jacquet on how Australia won the semi last year
Memories of defeat
However, it is undeniable that Australia dominated France in last year's match. "I think we played well that day," says Jacquet. "They took us on up front and gained the ascendancy. We made a couple of small defensive errors and they really punished us. We then had to chase the came and that's never a good idea."
He doesn't remember the makeup of the Wallaby team that day, but he does remember their physical attitude. Jacquet started on the bench. He came on after 48 minutes, but he was unable to change the course of the game.
Home from home
Along with Thomas Dominguo, Wednesday's match will be doubly at home for Jacquet. The team will be roared on by vociferous French fans in the Parc Marcel Michelin, where both players ply their trade for ASM Clermont Auvergne.
But it's clear where his heart will be at kick off. "I won't be playing as Loïc Jacquet from ASM, but Loïc Jacquet for the France team that wants to make it to the IRB Under 21 World Championship final."
Stay with irbu21.com to find out whether Jacquet and his team will return to the Parc Marcel Michelin on Sunday 25 June to participate in the final of the tournament.
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