Tincu awaits appeal decision; Lièvremont
makes three changes to face Pacific Islanders
13 November 2008
Perpignan’s Marius Tincu faces an anxious
wait to find out whether his appeal against an 18-week ban
has been successful.
The Romanian hooker appeared before an ERC
disciplinary committee on Wednesday but must now wait until
Friday before the outcome is announced.
Tincu was originally suspended for 18 weeks
for alleged eye gouging against Ospreys prop Paul James in
the Heineken Cup, prompting outrage from his Top 14 club as
they threatened to boycott the tournament and take Tincu’s
case through the civil courts. (see
story)
Meanwhile, Stade Francais’ Argentine prop
Rodrigo Roncero is now free to play for the Pumas
against Italy and Ireland after his appeal hearing against a
30-day suspension was set for November 26.
Roncero, who played against France last
weekend after lodging his appeal, was originally suspended
for punching Thierry Dusautoir when Stade lost 26-13 at home
to Toulouse on October 25.
The 31-year-old was given an extra 10 days on
his ban because he had already been sent-off for fighting
against Toulon earlier in the season.
French coach Marc Lièvremont has made
three changes to the team for Saturday’s clash with the
Pacific Islanders. All three are in the forwards with props
Lionel Faure and Nicolas Mas coming in for Fabien Barcella
and Benoit Lecouls, while Fulgence Ouedraogo gets his chance
ahead of Louis Picamoles.
Lièvremont said Ouedraogo inclusion was a
tactical switch, but confirmed he would allow the misfiring
backs more time to gel as a unit with the Toulouse axis of
Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde and David Skrela being retained at
scrum-half and fly-half respectively.
“They didn’t play well technically [in the
12-6 win against Argentina] but we decided to keep the
cohesion and the balance of the backline because we think
they complement each other,” said the head coach.
“Tactically we think they played rather well
and we know that it would be very risky to put the cart
before the horse against a team of highly skilled
individuals, even if they were beaten 39-13 by England last
Saturday.
“We are readying ourselves for a difficult
game against a very good team,” said Lièvremont.
Recalled Biarritz back row Imanol
Harinordoquy said he feels like an international novice
after forcing his way back into Les Bleus’ starting XV.
The 28-year-old, who has more than 50 caps,
has found favour again under Lièvremont after rediscovering
his focus following a couple of years in the international
wilderness.
“I am already happy to be there in the squad.
I am there as if I was a junior, I feel like it’s only my
third cap,” he said this week.
“I have returned to the squad as if I was a
new face, with a lot of enthusiasm and full of hunger,” he
admitted. “Each Test appearance I make I seem to appreciate
it that bit more.
“I won a lot of caps immediately, and then
all of a sudden I encountered some difficult moments. I know
now that the moments of happiness and pleasure can be rare,”
he said.
Unsurprisingly, he was also full of praise
for Lièvremont, adding: “Marc does not shut the door on
anyone. He shows his confidence in the players, which allows
us to be more relaxed for the matches.”
The Biarritz player will be up against two
familiar foes on Saturday with Clermont winger’s past and
present named in the Pacific Islanders’ starting XV.
Ex-Clermont flier Vilimoni Delasau (now top try scorer this
season with Montauban) will be joined by fellow French based
winger Napolioni Nalaga in Sochaux.
Elsewhere, Francois Trinh Duc and
Patrice Collazo have both been invited to represent the
Barbarians against Australia at Wembley on December 3rd.
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