Jauzion getting to grips with new France

Mar 7 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

YANNICK JAUZION admits he is still getting to grips with the regime change in the France squad as he prepares to make his Les Bleus return after a five-month absence.

Jauzion, France’s leading centre, missed the first three Six Nations championship games as he recovered from a hand injury suffered on club duty before the tournament began.

The 29-year-old will return to the Test arena on Sunday when the French take on Italy in Paris, his first international since the World Cup semi-final defeat to England in October.

Much has changed in the Les Bleus camp since then, notably Marc Lievremont replacing Bernard Laporte as head coach. And a new, youthful squad has been ordered to play with a bold, attacking outlook that is light years away from the more conservative philosophy adopted by Laporte.

Jauzion admits he felt like he had gate-crashed a kindergarten party when he made his return to Marcoussis, the French squad’s training base in the south of Paris, last week.

And he is still coming to terms with what is expected under the new staff.

“It is funny,” said the Toulouse midfielder, who has 50 caps to his name.

“I was never selected in the youth teams, but here it feels like I am with a bunch of newcomers.

“It is good though. There is a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of desire and it is great to be part of it. It’s great to be back at Marcoussis and there is so much to see because it is a new France team.”