What would happen if it all goes wahooni-shaped for Guy Noves and France in November? I list nine coaches with Top 14 experience who could do the job Guy couldn’t if needed.
France coach Guy Noves will not publicly admit it, but a dismal South African tour for Les Bleus means his job is as close to on the line as it has ever been.
FFR president Bernard Laporte has issued a public vote of confidence, a dreaded statement that often signals the imminent death-knell of a coaching career. But this one came with a caveat that – ironically – offered more certainty than an unconditional insistence of support would have done.
Laporte publicly warned Noves that France had to win three of their four November internationals – which features two Tests against the All Blacks, as well as South Africa and Japan – otherwise questions of a “would you like directions to the nearest job centre?” nature may be asked.
James Harrington: Freelance sports journalist 