Rugby World Cup
Medard vows to repay Lievremont
ESPNscrum Staff
September 27, 2011
Maxime Medard is sure to have to field more high balls when he switches to fullback © Getty Images
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France's Maxime Medard has vowed to repay coach Marc Lievremont's faith when he lines up at fullback against Tonga this weekend.

Medard, operating on the wing, was one of the players singled out for criticism after Les Bleus' miserable 37-17 defeat to New Zealand last Saturday. He will have an even more crucial role in the number 15 jersey against the south Pacific islanders, but will relish the task.

"At fullback, I have more responsibilities, but that does not worry me," he told L'Equipe. "I want to show that I am there to help the team. Marc has shown the confidence he has in me. It's up to me not to let him down.

"It's good to return to this position, to show something different from the previous three games. You have to accept when you have not played well and raise your level. I will try to bring a bit more to the team. I have played a lot at fullback so it will quickly come back to me.

"I hope I will get more of the ball and enjoy myself more. But I am not crazy any more. I will not run everything, even though I have two wingers beside me who like to run the ball, like Alexis (Palisson). He runs, he is a bit crazy. I like the way he plays. "I have a lot of energy, but I have to channel that if I don't have the ball."

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