French find new depths in their genius pool

The Welsh have a lot to answer for. Had they not so comprehensively demolished their hosts at the Stade de France last year, the Tricolores would be entering the Six Nations with an ageing team and their usual internal problems. Instead, Bernard Laporte's men look stronger than any French side in the last 10 years.

It was after the 43-35 reverse in March 2001 that the chairman of the French Federation, Bernard Lapasset, issued a stern ultimatum: "France were humiliated today," he said. "We must now make changes." Nine months on, and France have a new style, new ambitions and, most importantly, new players.

"It was a difficult time," Lapasset now says, "but by giving youth its chance, everything has somehow fallen into place. It was brave and the result has been nothing short of divine." Laporte's young guns – who include the Toulouse trio of Nicolas Jeanjean, Clement Poitrenaud and Frederik Michalak, Stade Français' Patrick Tabacco and Montferrand's David Bory – surprised everyone in the summer and autumn Tests. In particular, November's wins against South Africa, Australia and Fiji went a long way to restoring French belief.

Jeanjean typifies the new approach. Less than two years after he first played for Toulouse in a friendly against Agen, the youngster now finds himself in possession of the French No 15 jersey ahead of the Six Nations' opener against Italy next Saturday.

"It's sort of strange," the 20-year-old says. "Not so long ago I was watching my heroes like Serge Blanco and Philippe Sella competing in this tournament, and now I'm being given a chance to emulate them. It's what dreams are made of."

Born into a rugby family in Montpellier, Jeanjean has being playing the game for as long as he can remember, and joined Toulouse at the age of 16. Within a year of having joined the most garlanded club in France, he had won the junior national championship and the junior World Cup. Senior honours soon followed, including last season's league title, before the call for the summer tour of South Africa.

"I thought I was just being taken along for the experience," Jeanjean says, "but then I was suddenly handed the shirt. I couldn't believe it. The whole thing was a really special adventure and made me want more. Once you taste international rugby, you never want it to stop."

By the time of the autumn Tests, though, Laporte had decided to replace Jeanjean with his friend and club team-mate Poitrenaud. "It sounds silly, but I was genuinely pleased for Clement," a relaxed Jeanjean says. "He deserved his chance and he took it well. If France are to be really competitive in the future, we need to have lots of top quality young players who can replace each other at the drop of a hat." As Jeanjean hopes to prove now that Poitrenaud is injured and on the sidelines for six weeks.

It has taken nearly two years, but there are signs that Laporte is at last succeeding in turning the hugely talented French individuals into a competitive close-knit unit. "The last six months have been amazing," Jeanjean says. "The fact that so many young players were brought in at the same time helped, but the seniors have been very receptive. Our generation is relaxed during training and competitive come Saturday. Combine that with the experienced guys already in the squad and you can see why we have a good group."

Better still, the feeling across the Channel is that the France manager might finally have assembled a team who can produce more consistent results. This time last year, following a wonderful defeat of the All Blacks in Marseille, France were being touted as strong contenders for the Grand Slam. Instead, they finished fifth, with three losses and just two wins. "You can sense that those days are gone," Jeanjean says. "We aim to be a different type of French team."

Every silver lining – however glittering – has a cloud, though. The familiar "January curse", as Laporte calls it, has struck again, with Christophe Dominici, Olivier Magne and Tabacco all joining Poitrenaud on the injury list. "The same thing happens every year," the manager says. "I can cope, but it is sad that I will not be working with the players who helped us win the autumn Tests."

In years gone by such set-backs would have spelled disaster for the French. These days, however, for every injured youngster there is another raring to go. "Merci Wales," as Jeanjean says.