Rugby World Cup: Marsh questions French tactics, team selection

Morgan Parra has been named to start at first five-eigth against the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

Former France centre Tony Marsh has cast doubt on the French tactics and team selection ahead of their Rugby World Cup match against the All Blacks on Saturday.

New Zealand-born Marsh told Radio Sport there were "definitely some suprises" in Marc Lievremont's team selection, even though they were "very average" in their opening two matches.

"Since he's been in charge with the French, the team has really struggled with consistency and getting the results they want. Speaking with some of the players last week, even then they were struggling in terms of the gameplan and structure they had put in place.

"They had actually gone to Marc Lievremont and asked him to address the problem. It's a team that seems to be lacking in confidence."

He said there are several players who haven't played a lot of test rugby named to take on Graham Henry's team.

"I suppose the big [surprise] is naming Morgan Parra at Number 10, who hasn't played any rugby whatsoever at Number 10. So that's a big call on Lievremont's part."

Parra has played 31 test matches at half-back, but Marsh is unconvinced he can make a seamless transition to the first five-eighth position.

"It's uncommon for the French to do something like this. Guys like [Frédéric] Michalak and [Jean-Baptiste] Élissalde have interchanged before. They were used to changing and playing those different types of roles between Number 9 and 10.

"Parra came on against Japan towards the end of that game - I wouldn't say he changed things around, but he controlled the game a little bit more than [Francois] Trinh-Duc did.

He said the big concern for Lievremont is Trinh-Duc's "inability to follow gameplan", citing the player as too much of an individual.

When asked whether the French stand a chance against the All Blacks, Marsh responded:

"Having spoken with some of the French team members, journalists, and the public - no. All logic would suggest that the All Blacks will win quite comfortably, but as we know logic goes out at World Cup time and form means nothing."

- Herald Online