Pic: Dominique Verdiere
France’s wheelchair side won both encounters with Ireland over the weekend at the Halle Marcel Cerdan in Perpignan.
Lionel Alazard posted five tries and 17 out of 18 goals in the Saturday game, won 106-16, Damien Dore and debutant Thibaud Dananchy both with hat tricks.
France wheelchair head coach, Cyril Torres, commented: “It has been very valuable for us and a big opportunity in terms of our World Cup preparations. I know my squad for the World Cup and the plan now is that the boys have three weeks free and in August and September train three days a week in readiness.”
Ireland wheelchair head coach, Phil Roberts, commented: “The whole experience has been priceless. The French showed in terms of their skill execution and speed with which they played, the level of intensity and preparation we should be aspiring to.
“We knew we’d be undercooked by comparison, but I was really happy with some of the things we did, some of our scramble defence was good. We talked all week about stress testing and what that means and deliberately challenging ourselves. As long as we learn, I leave as a happy coach.”
Roberts added: “We’ve got two more camps between now and the World Cup in October to take away the learnings from this.”