France flanker Bernard le Roux speaks to the press ahead of their opening RBS 6 Nations game
After a bad season last year, is this game particularly important for you?
Very much so, this game will be crucial if we want to do well in the tournament, and if we want to build a good spirit. We’re feeling very good right now, we’ve a had a good preparation. This is an amazing opportunity to kick off the international season. We won’t have any excuse after those two weeks in camp, we’re rested and ready.
You will have a brand new flyhalf this week-end. Do you feel any responsibility to protect him for his first cap?
Not at all. Jules is a very good player, he has a lot of confidence. He’s only 22 but is already a starting player for Paris in Top14. He already has decent experience, and he won’t need any protection from us. We’ll be here to help in any way, and I hope he has a good start with us.
He might be put under pressure though…
Of course, England is an amazing team, strong in every aspect of the game, in the setpiece, in defense… They move around the pitch very quickly when they get momentum. We need to do the same, win our individual confrontation and move the ball. We have a physical team as well and we’re ready to match up.
Are you going to target Owen Farrell at all?
We will try to put him under a lot of pressure, because he’s a lot less efficient when he has less time to make decisions. The loose forwards will have to rush up to him when they can, without losing our structure.
Is this game important for you on a personal level?
I have played twice against New Zealand, once against Tonga, and this will be my first time in the 6 nations. This game will be important to me, because I need to take the opportunity that’s been given to me. Dusautoir, Ouedraogo and Lauret are injured, and I need to prove that I can perform in their place if I want to have a chance to be part of the adventure next year in the world cup. I have to show what I can do.
As an outsider, what is your perception of this opposition between France and England?
I don’t know, I have been in France for such a long time now! I know there is a lot of history between the two countries, and this game always comes with a great atmosphere. It will be physical, it always is. This is special, and I’m really excited to be in the French squad. I’ve been here for four years now, and I’m glad to finally take part in this competition.
Do you feel any different from how you felt things in November?
Definitely. We’ve had two weeks of preparation, we’re rested, there’s a good spirit among the players. We were a bit tired for our last international games, be this will now be a great opportunity to turn things around.
