Les Bleus have started their RBS 6 Nations tournament in impressive form with two victories over Ireland (35-17) and Italy (25-0).

But the French team's efficiency and physical strength have been at the centre of a debate in the past few days.

And it seems they lack players such as Laurent Rodriguez in the 80s and Abdel Benazzi in the 90s who were explosive individuals, capable of successfully combining speed and physical strength.

"It is true that compared to other nations we do not have hugely powerful players," said Skrela, the federation's technical director.

"In our younger national teams we don't have any hefty players."

Skrela added that many youngsters in France are more attracted by basketball, volleyball or handball than rugby.

"The teenagers between 12 and 15 prefer to play sports they can play indoor and at school," he told L'Equipe. "They come to those sports more naturally than rugby.

There is a real problem of recruitment in France whereas the English are not confronted with such competition with other sports."

Biarritz's Steve Hall, Montferrand's Elvis Vermeulen and Sebastien Chabal, and Toulouse's Christian Labit have all been used in a gainline-breaking role, with mixed results.