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Johannesburg - Rory Kockott’s dream of playing Test rugby could well be in tatters if it is up to former French great Serge Blanco, the supersport.com website reports.
Blanco appears to have put the wheels in motion to block Kockott - who has starred for Castres over the past few seasons and becomes eligible for France later this year - from being selected for the French team.
With their leagues infested with foreigners, there is a slow backlash forming in French rugby, especially as it seems to have reduced the French national side’s ability to compete with the top nations of the world.
Blanco, who is also the vice-president of the FFR, has vowed to support coach Philippe Saint-Andre by getting more involved.
And this is where Kockott comes in, as the French great told newspaper Le Figaro that he is against Kockott being called up to the French squad.
A number of South Africans - including Brian Liebenberg, Antonie Claasen and Bernard Le Roux - have played for France before, but Blanco isn’t keen on the former Sharks and Lions scrumhalf.
"It would be serious to wait for one player like that," he said. "I'm much more interested in our style of play."
Another player likely to face Blanco’s axe is French flyhalf Frederic Michalak, who has not been a big hit with Blanco.
"If a player chooses to play in a club where he is guaranteed to play (it's a problem)," he said. "We don't want players who only come on for the last ten minutes anymore."
Earlier this week Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer decided not to choose Kockott as the third scrumhalf. He then indicated he would only stick to those either currently in the squad, or used recently in his term, meaning Kockott’s chances of making the Bok squad are virtually zero.
