The French scrum has been under scrutiny in this Six Nations and their prop Nicolas Mas took umbrage with the questioning of some journalists today.
So much so, in fact, that he got up and walked out of a press conference when asked why the scrum was not as good as Ireland’s or England’s.
The French are under fire at home due to their unconvincing win against the Scots (pic below) and the pack was singled out by journalists as being susceptible to conceding penalties. Mas wasn’t having any of it and blamed it on the rule changes. He said, ‘I have been doing the same things for ten or fifteen years, you want me to change overnight?’
Someone had the temerity to suggest that both the Irish and English packs had adjusted to the rule changes and questioned why the French couldn’t do likewise. He replied, ‘Yes, but we don’t judge the scrums on penalties. What strange logic.’
What strange logic indeed Nicolas. One more question was asked and in fairness to Mas, it was accompanied by some sniggers. This was the final straw for Mas who got up, saying ‘This is not funny’ and promptly stormed out.
All this points to some unrest in the French camp and adds yet another layer of intrigue to what should be a thrilling and dramatic climax to the Six Nations tournament in Paris.
We are excited, but not cocky. The French, more than any other team, can suddenly switch from the ridiculous to the sublime in the blink of an eye and, for that reason, we know our lads will not be reading too much into apparent turmoil within the French camp.
Hat-tip to ESPN Scrum
