Louis Bielle-Biarrey spent the weekend under strict instructions to put his feet up, a rare state of inertia designed to enhance French prospects of winning one global title after another.
If it all goes according to Fabien Galthie’s grand plan, the summer truce will help ensure that the Bordeaux magician terrorises opponents at the next World Cup in Australia a la Kylian Mbappe at the current one in America.
France’s refusal to flog their priceless asset halfway round the world in pursuit of the half-baked Nations Championship and save him for the real thing strikes a blow for player welfa...