France have announced a fascinating programme for their autumn series. They will play South Africa then New Zealand twice – all home matches.
This continues their firm policy of playing the best to become the best. The only pity for them is that that are still not able to meet the Black Ferns down under. That had been their firm intention before the virus put an end to their hopes. There is time for them to undertake a visit there, perhaps next year. Their recent record against the world champions reads: wins 2, losses 0!
For South Africa this presents a great opportunity to measure how far they have come and how far they still need to travel. In the past year they have shown every intention of stepping up their Fifteens programme, to provide a real challenge at the World Cup.
England have yet to announce their intentions. We could easily imagine these southern hemisphere nations planning to complete their tours with a swim across the Channel to see what the Red Roses are really made of.
France’s programme:
6 November: v South Africa, Vannes
13 November v New Zealand, Pau
20 November v New Zealand, Castres
