Dropped Thion is back for France

Mar 9 2008 Wales On Sunday

JEROME THION wants to see the French pack prove their critics wrong by producing a dominant display against Italy in today’s clash in Paris.

France’s scrum has come in for a pummelling by the media after being out-muscled by their Scottish, Irish and English counterparts in the opening three rounds of the Six Nations.

With the Italians notoriously strong scrummagers, Les Bleus are being tipped to struggle in that department again this weekend.

But lock Thion, recalled to the starting line-up for the first time since last October’s defeat to Argentina in the World Cup bronze-medal match, is determined to help put the record straight.

“We know that the Italian pack would love to show its strength against us,” said the Biarritz second-row forward.

“But on our side, we want to prove to everybody that what has been said and written about the French scrum is wrong.

“We have worked enormously hard in this department this week. And we want to see our pack performing again.”

Thion, 30, was one of former France head coach Bernard Laporte’s undroppables during the last few years of his reign, and played in all the key games in the World Cup.

But he endured a below-par start to the season and new Bleus boss Marc Lievremont ignored him for the first two matches of the Six Nations, wins against Scotland and Ireland.

But Thion was recalled for the match against England a fortnight ago, beginning the game on the bench, and is now back in the starting XV for the visit of the Azzurri.

Thion does not blame Lievremont for looking elsewhere for second-row talent at the start of the tournament, saying: “I had some difficulties upon returning after the World Cup.

“With Biarritz, the start to the season was difficult and my own personal displays were not as good as people would have hoped.

“It was logical that I was not called up.”