Former French captain critical of new coach
Blagnac
January 25, 2000

Raphael Ibanez, France's captain during their run to the rugby union World Cup final, said on Monday getting the axe was a brutal decision.

Fabien Pelous, named Sunday by coach Bernard Laporte as the new skipper, ironically has a twisted ankle and may not begin France's opening Six Nations match on February 5 against Wales.

Ibanez, in the south western French town of Blagnac for the training of the 22-man squad, plus 13 others not selected from a 35-strong pre-squad, said: "It was a brutal decision after our World Cup performance.

If I had had to give up the role at some time, I would have thought it would have been after our catastrophic showing in the southern hemisphere last June.

"At the time, I was kept in the post, and even described as a great captain, and nobody else wanted the job."

Hooker Ibanez took over the captaincy at the start of last year's Five Nations championship, as it was then called before Italy came on board.

Ibanez knew of the decision last Monday during a national training session at Blagnac. "In any case, my fate has been sealed by the media for some time now and I was simply waiting for confirmation," he added.

Pelous, asked at training if now being captain with Ibanez still in the side was a problem, said: "I called him on Sunday night. We are good friends and there's no problem between us. I certainly didn't do anything to rob him of his job. I did not make the decision."

Pelous twisted his left ankle on January 7 playing for Toulouse in Cardiff. He did not train on Monday but is set for a run-out on Tuesday.

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