He's got one of the best-looking teams at World Cup 2003, a pair of bonus points and a smooth road into the knockout round.
But French coach Bernard Laporte has also got a few distractions to deal with -- including the morale of his reserves and the temptations of a beachfront hotel -- as France prepares to take on Scotland in this weekend's Pool B decider.
Scotland hasn't beaten France since 1999, and the Scots showed little in their first two pool matches against Japan and the US to suggest an upset might be in the cards when they meet the French at Olympic Stadium on Saturday.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The winner will likely play Ireland in the quarterfinals, while the loser can expect a more daunting match with Australia.
A clearly confident Laporte said he'd never even thought about the prospect of traveling to Brisbane to face the Wallabies. One concern that has played on the French coach's mind, however, is keeping his bench motivated now that his starting XV appears basically settled.
The lineup he announced Wednesday was identical with one exception to the team that overpowered Fiji 61-18 in France's World Cup opener; eight of the players will be running out for their third straight match following an uneven 51-29 win over Japan.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Laporte had served notice before the first kickoff that he would emphasize continuity over rotation in his selections and give his best performers as much time together as possible during the pool matches.
He admitted before Wednesday's announcement that he was hard pressed to keep the flame of competition burning among all 30 players on the French squad.
"The hardest thing is to keep all the players in a certain state of mind," Laporte said. "I understand that it's tough to accept if you haven't been named to the 22 after three matches."
Just ask Brian Liebenberg.
The South African-born center from Stade Francais is getting ready to watch his third match from the stands, along with winger Xavier Garbajosa and scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili.
"It is frustrating," said Liebenberg, a surprise inclusion in the French group who earned the first of his three caps in August.
"It is very frustrating especially coming from the viewpoint of a player where you're used to being on the field and doing your job out on the field and now you've got to sit in the stand in a suit and a tie. There's nothing you can do."
The situation is certainly harder for benchwarmers like out-of-favor flyhalf Gerald Merceron. He helped pilot France to its Six Nations Grand Slam in 2002 but has been forced to settle for brief appearances here because rival Frederic Michalak has impressed with his kicking and running.
Garbajosa's condition is another distraction for Laporte, if not exactly a worry given the solid performances of starting wingers Christophe Dominici (three tries) and Aurelien Rougerie (two).
It appeared this week that the 26-year-old Stade Toulousain star's second World Cup campaign could be over before it started.
Garbajosa's pre-tournament training camp was cut short by a thigh injury that kept him out of France's first two matches. Things went from bad to worse at a practice session Friday, when he felt a sharp pain in a knee that had been operated on in July.
A scan showed no aggravation of a previous injury. French manager Jo Maso said Wednesday the team would give Garbajosa time to recuperate and make a decision about replacing him on the roster after he tests the knee in practice at the end of the week.
If he is ruled out of the tournament, the French coaching staff is expected to pick a name from a so-called "hidden list" of 15 reserves that includes wingers David Bory of Montferrand and Garbajosa's Stade Toulousain teammate Vincent Clerc.
Then there are the distractions off the pitch -- right across the street, in fact, from the French team's hotel along Sydney's famed Bondi Beach.
Laporte's players will be enjoying the amenities of the Swiss Grand Hotel until the end of the competition, a stay that could last up to five weeks if France gets past an expected semifinal clash with England to play for the Webb Ellis Trophy on Nov. 22.
The French coach wasted no time calling a meeting this week to remind his players they needed to stay focused -- on the tournament.
Center Tony Marsh later reassured journalists his teammates hadn't really noticed their new surroundings.
"We're not here to watch the girls," he said. "We never look."
fiji keeps hopes alive
Fullback Norman Ligairi and flying winger Aisea Tuilevu scored two tries apiece Thursday as Fiji kept its quarterfinal hopes alive with a 41-13 bonus-point win over Japan at the Rugby World Cup.
Ligairi secured the bonus competition point with a brilliant solo effort in the 66th minute. He chipped ahead from behind halfway, grubbered the half volley and picked up the ball as he dived into the right corner for Fiji's fourth touch down.
Marika Vunibaka, a late replacement for center Epeli Ruivadra, crossed out wide in the 71st minute and Nicky Little converted to add some extra confidence for the Fijians ahead of the Nov. 1 encounter with Scotland that will likely determine quarterfinal berth.
The Fijians led 16-13 at half time and extended their lead to 10 in the 51st minute after Ruivadra drew in two defenders and gave an around-the-corner pass to Tuilevu, who sprinted 25m down the right touchline to cross for his second.
Andrew Miller had scored all Japan's points in the first half via a try, a long-range dropped goal and two penalties as the Japanese built a surprising domination in the forwards. But the Fijian backs looked capable of scoring more than the two tries they posted in the opening 40 minutes.
Fiji next plays Scotland, while Japan is against the US, aiming for its first win.
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